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 ASHG Participates in Genetic Alliance’s “Meet Your Neighbors” Webinar Series:
Society Staff Members Hosted Online Presentation Session on April 2, 2008 - Kristen Long, ASHG Communications Manager
In early April 2008, ASHG participated in the Genetic Alliance “Meet Your Neighbors” webinar series – an online networking program that is designed to provide organizations in the
genetics community with the opportunity to share information about their group’s mission, goals and activities, and help them connect with other organizations that share similar interests and objectives. According to the description posted on the Genetic Alliance
Web site, “The Meet Your Neighbors webinar series helps participants learn what others [in the genetics community] are doing and how they can collaborate to achieve success.”
Dr. Joann Boughman, executive vice president of ASHG, and Kristen Long, communications manager of ASHG, participated in the “Meet Your Neighbors” webinar series by hosting an online session on April 2, 2008, that provided participants with a brief introduction to
ASHG. Our presentation included basic information about the organization, an overview of ASHG’s primary goals and objectives, and an update on our major annual events and activities. The ASHG webinar session also provided a summary of the Society’s key genetics
education and public outreach programs, and other important initiatives that aim to advance scientific research and support advocacy efforts related to human genetics.
To access the audio recording and slide presentation from ASHG’s “Meet Your Neighbors” webinar session, please see the links listed below:
DOWNLOAD ASHG WEBINAR SESSION MATERIALS:  Listen
to ASHG Webinar Audio Recording (.wma)
View ASHG Webinar Presentation PPT Slides (PDF)
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ASHG MEMBER NEWS
Lifetime Award in Genetics Presented to Dr. Peter H. Byers by March Of Dimes
Dr. Peter H. Byers, MD, of the Departments of Pathology and Medicine at the University of Washington, was presented with the 2008 March of Dimes/Colonel Harland Sanders Award for lifetime achievement in the field of genetic sciences at the Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting
of the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) on March 14, 2008. According to an article from Medical News Today, Dr. Byers received this honor “for his ability to integrate
clinical knowledge and molecular genetic analysis in inherited disorders that involve collagen genes, [and for] providing needed information to guide treatment of connective tissue disorders.”
Dr. Charis Eng Named to Chair the Clinical Science Committee of the Personalized Medicine Coalition
Charis Eng, MD, PhD, FACP, Chair and Founding Director of the Cleveland Clinic Genomic Medicine Institute, and Director of the Clinic’s Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare, was selected to chair the
Clinical Science Committee of the Personalized Medicine Coalition (PMC). This newly restructured committee will aid the PMC in advancing the era of
personalized medicine, specifically by critically evaluating emerging applications of science and technology to patient care for risk assessment, therapy and prevention.
Dr. Hal Dietz Honored by the National Marfan Foundation as Recipient of the 2008 “Hero with a Heart” Award
Harry (Hal) C. Dietz, III, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, was honored as one on this year’s Hero with a Heart Award recipients by the National Marfan Foundation (NMF) for his “commitment to
innovation and patient care.” Dr. Dietz, a long-time clinician and researcher on Marfan syndrome, is the Victor A. McKusick Professor of Genetics and Medicine and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investigator.
Dr. Francis Collins Named First Recipient of Inamori Ethics Prize at Case Western Reserve University
Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), was honored as the first recipient of the Inamori Ethics Prize from the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence at Case Western Reserve University.
The Inamori Ethics Prize honors outstanding international ethical leaders. It is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated exemplary ethical leadership and whose
actions and influence have greatly improved the condition of humankind. The Inamori prize also includes a $25,000 award that is intended to support the recipient’s ongoing research.
“Positive Exposure” Founder Rick Guidotti Wins 2008 Dorthea Lynde Dix Humanitarian Award
 If the name Rick Guidotti sounds familiar, it should – you might have seen Guidotti’s
photographs of adults and children with genetic disorders on display in his “Positive Exposure” exhibit at the 2007 ASHG Annual Meeting in San Diego. We are proud to announce that Guidotti will be
honored at the Elwyn Genetics “Fundraiser and Humanitarian Award Ceremony” in New York City on May 15, 2008 as the winner of this year’s Dorthea Lynde Dix Humanitarian Award for his work in
celebrating the beauty of genetic diversity.
The Dorothea Dix Humanitarian Award was established by Elwyn Genetics in 1980 as a way to honor individuals who exhibit extraordinary commitment and service to people with disabilities. Guidotti was named as this year’s winner because of his humanitarian work as the
founder of Positive Exposure, an innovative non-profit organization that supports and promotes human dignity through artistic collaboration with individuals living with genetic differences.
Through partnerships with health advocacy organizations, government agencies and educational institutions, Positive Exposure utilizes the visual arts to significantly impact the fields of genetics, mental health and human rights. The organization conducts
Self-Esteem/Self-Advocacy photographic and interview workshops in collaboration with people living with genetic conditions. Positive Exposure also presents diversity workshops and portable, sustainable educational and human rights programs and multi media exhibitions for
physicians, nurses, genetic counselors, health care professionals-in-training, universities, elementary and secondary schools, legislators and the general public.
A recurring theme voiced by many individuals, families and organizations who are involved in the work of Positive Exposure is the need to help physicians – particularly medical students and trainees – learn how best to meet the concerns of individuals and families with,
or at risk for, genetic disorders. Each individual living with a genetic difference desires to be viewed first and foremost as a human being with his/her own special needs rather than as a specific diagnosis or disease entity; many of the currently available medical
images illustrating genetic differences are particularly dehumanizing and dispiriting.
Guidotti’s organization and his artistic work have had a profound impact on many people around the world. By exposing “normal” people to images of individuals who are living with a genetic disease, Guidotti’s photographs help people begin to better understand what it is
like for individuals who are living with a genetic disease that makes them appear to be “different” from everyone else around them.
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Genetics Humor The “DNA Replication
Song,” a video posted on You Tube that was created by two students for a school biology project.
If you're not sure what that scientific journal paper really means, you might want to look up some of the trickier jargon-filled phrases in this handy science-to-English translation guide: “Guide
to Translating Scientific Papers into Plain English,” a Genomicron blog Web site entry posted by evolutionary biologist T. Ryan Gregory on April 28, 2008. |
QUIZ
(Based on an article in this issue) The ASHG Education Department recently published a paper on student misconceptions in genetics content. The first five people to complete the quiz with complete and correct responses to the questions will receive a volume of
Conversations in Genetics.
Take the Quiz Now |
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Upcoming Conferences & Events: |
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Invites You to Attend:
THE 2008 BIO INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
June 17-20, 2008
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) invites you to be a part of the 2008 BIO International Convention, June 17-20, 2008, at the San Diego Convention Center. The 2008 BIO Convention will help expand the
biotech innovations that help heal, fuel and feed the world by highlighting the newest innovations, technologies, critical issues and trends in biotechnology. More than 2,200 exhibitors, 20,000 attendees and hundreds of speakers. For more information, or to
register for the convention, please visit the 2008 BIO Convention Web site at: www.bio2008.org |
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI) Present:
PERSONALIZED MEDICINE: PROMISES AND CHALLENGES
AAAS Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
June 20, 2008
ASHG is proud to be a participating organization for a new conference, Personalized Medicine: Promises and Challenges, sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the
Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI) on June 20, 2008 in Washington, D.C. This groundbreaking national meeting offers a high-level roundtable discussion in the morning, and a nuts-and-bolts seminar on legal,
regulatory and policy issues in personalized medicine in the afternoon. You can attend either session, or the entire conference. Space is limited, so register now for the
whole conference, or just the afternoon seminar. For
more information, please visit the FDLI Web site, or contact Michael Levin-Epstein via e-mail at mdl@fdli.org, or by phone at (202) 222-0897.
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The International Genetics Federation (IGF) Invites You to Attend:
XX INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF GENETICS
International Congress Centrum (ICC), Berlin, Germany
July 12-17, 2008
The International Congress of Genetics is held every fifth year in alternating host countries. This year, the International Genetics Federation (IGF) will host the meeting will in Berlin, Germany on July
12-17, 2008.
The XX International Congress of Genetics boasts 280 of the world's most prominent geneticists as invited speakers who will be participating in 11 Plenary Events and 54 Concurrent Symposia. There will also be more than 1,200 Posters on display that
represent the latest scientific research in the field of human genetics from around the world. This meeting provides a unique opportunity to keep abreast of the most recent exciting insights in genetic and genomic research, including their medical, industrial and
societal implications. For more information, please visit the congress Web page at: www.geneticsberlin2008.com. To download a PDF of the scientific program, please
click here.
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ACI Hosts National Conference for Healthcare Industry on:
SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES FOR GENETIC AND MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
Boston, MA
July 17-18, 2008
This two-day strategic business forum event features a panel of distinguished speakers who will focus on best practices for ways that hospitals and health systems can build and update genetic testing programs. Attendees will learn how to establish comprehensive
genetic and molecular diagnostic testing programs to improve patient outcomes, capture market value and reduce liability. Additional details about this event can be found on
ACI’s conference Web page. For more information, or to receive member discount rates, or call Shane Abelido at 312-780-0700 (ext. 115). |
The Maryland Science Center Hosts “Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds 2: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies” in Baltimore, MD
The Maryland Science Center is hosting Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS 2: The Original Exhibition of Real Human Bodies
for a limited engagement from February 2 through September 1, 2008. BODY WORLDS is the original and acclaimed exhibition of real human bodies that have been preserved through Plastination. The exhibition was created by German anatomist and physician, Dr. Gunther
von Hagens, and has attracted more than 25 million visitors worldwide. The Maryland Science Center is located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. For information and tickets, visit
www.marylandsciencecenter.org or call the 24-Hour Info Line at 410-685-5225.*
[*NOTE: The Maryland Science Center is offering DISCOUNT COUPONS (and/or group rate discounts) for tickets to see the exhibit. If you are interested in attending the exhibit and wish to request a discount coupon to use when purchasing
tickets, please contact Barbara Cvrkel at b.cvrkel@bw.plastination.com.]
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SNP-IT is published online four times a year,
in February, May, August and November. Copyright by
The American Society of Human Genetics.
Please direct all SNP-IT inquiries to
Kristen Long, Communications Manager, at
klong@ashg.org
For Society information, please
contact the ASHG Administrative Office, 9650
Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814-3998. Telephone:
301-634-7300; fax: 301-634-7090,
society@ashg.org
or visit ASHG on the Web:
www.ashg.org |
