Two Symposia Examine Risks and Values of Biopharm

Two free symposia co–sponsored by the Interdisciplinary Bioethics Project at Yale and lifeedu.org will explore scientific advances and bioethics of pharmaceutical production and gene confinement in genetically modified plants.

“Genetically Modified Plants for Producing Pharmaceutical Products: Scientific Advances, Bioethical and Policy Issues,” will take place on Thursday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. in Luce Hall, 34 Hillhouse Ave. It will address such topics as:

• the commercialization of plant–based biopharmaceutical products;
• gene–switching technologies that control genes important in biopharm;
• risks and benefits of biopharm in relation to the food chain;
• risks and advantages of food plants versus non–food plants; and
• containment of gene flow from genetically modified plants to other plants.

“Gene Confinement for Genetically Modified Grasses: Gene Flow and Grasses,” a related all–day symposium will take place Friday, May 13 from 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Omni Hotel at Yale, 155 Temple St. Speakers will discuss:

• relationship between the biology of different grass species and gene flow
• pollen–mediated and seed scatter gene flow, and
• various sterility mechanisms that can prevent gene flow.

The public is invited to both events. For further information, visit http://cgp.yale.edu/events/ or contact nancy.kerk@yale.edu, ian.sussex@yale.edu or carol.pollard@yale.edu.