The Centre for Disability Law and Policy, Galway will co- host a seminar with Marian Harkin MEP and Phil Prendergast MEP, and in conjunction with the European Disability Forum, on the topic of ‘Genetic Discrimination – Transatlantic Perspectives on the Case for a European Level Legal Response’. The seminar is taking place from 2- 6pm on 6th March 2012 in the European Parliament in Brussels. There will be no registration fee to attend – and some places are still available.
The purpose of this event is to bring together key stakeholders in the area to examine and further highlight the case for a European level legal and policy response to protect the privacy of genetic information and to prevent genetic discrimination, particularly in the employment and insurance contexts. Speakers include: Professor Yann Joly (Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Canada), Professor Peter Blanck (Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse University, USA), Avv. Dr Delia Ferri (Faculty of Law, University of Verona), Peter Hustinx (European Data Protection Supervisor), Dima Yared (Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights), Professor Ciaran Morrison (Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Natural Sciences, NUI, Galway), J Patrick Clarke (member of European Disability Forum Executive Committee/President, Down Syndrome Ireland) and Marian Harkin (Member of the European Parliament).
The Centre for Disability Law and Policy hosted a conference on 19th November 2011 entitled ‘Genetic Discrimination – Transatlantic Perspectives on the Case for a European Level Legal Response’. The conference highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of this area and focused on the interaction between genetic science, technology, ethics and the law, and in particular, how best to regulate this complex area. On foot of the scientific and legal expertise offered, and on consideration of the potential for abuse and the fundamental human rights at stake, the conference strongly indicated a need for an appropriate regulatory response at European level to protect the privacy of genetic information and to prevent genetic discrimination. The event in March 2012 aims to build upon the discussion generated from the conference last November and further highlight this issue at European level as one which merits attention.
To register for this event, please go to: http://conference.ie/Conferences/index.asp?Conference=161
Please contact aisling.depaor@nuigalway.ie for further details.
