In 2007 genetic pioneering researchers James Watson and Craig Venter had their personal genomes decoded and released to the world. These events and the rate at which cutting edge DNA sequencing technologies have evolved, represent significant milestones in the field of genetics research.

Private companies are seizing new business opportunities to sell genetic tests directly to the public, health care funders and providers must determine when genetic testing should be used, and biomedical researchers are ramping up large-scale genome research consortia. This has left governments scrambling to keep pace by developing regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation in genomics research and commercialization, while protecting citizens from potential harms of genetic discrimination, privacy invasions and hyping of new technologies.

The Age of Personalized Genomics conference will present an international forum for in-depth discussion and debate on the ethical, legal and social controversies that characterize the rapidly developing field of personalized genomics. The conference will bring together leading experts in law, genomic medicine and research, communication studies, and other fields.

Key topics to be addressed include:

• Current state of the science
• Research ethics and governance challenges 
• Integration of personalized genomics into health care
• Media and popular representation of personal genomics
• Commercialization of personalized genomics and regulation of direct-to-consumer genetic testing 

The Age of Personalized Genomics will be of particular interest to academics, clinicians, policy makers, industry and government representatives, the media, and members of the general public interested in the rapidly developing field of personal genomics.

Program and timetables are provisional and subject to change.  We have .pdf and .doc versions of the draft agenda available.

For more information contact  rhyde-lay@genomealberta.ca