Executive Director to Testify before Congress

Press Statement

Hearing on "Genetics and other Human Modification Technologies" will be webcast

Richard Hayes, the executive director of the Center for Genetics and Society, will testify before the US House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade on Thursday June 19. The subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Los Angeles), will hold a hearing on "Genetics and other Human Modification Technologies: Sensible International Regulation or a New Kind of Arms Race."

"Genetics and other Human Modification Technologies: Sensible International Regulation or a New Kind of Arms Race"
Hearing of House Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade
Thursday June 19 at 10 AM
2200 Rayburn House Office Building
webcast at the subcommittee's website

Speakers will include:

  • Richard Hayes, Ph.D., Executive Director, Center for Genetics and Society
  • Jamie F. Metzl, Ph.D, Executive Vice President, Asia Society
  • Paul R. Billings M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Cellpoint Diagnostics, Inc.
  • Nigel M. de S. Cameron, Ph.D., President and Co-founder, Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future

Topics will include:

  • the social challenges posed by human biotechnologies
  • the threat of genetically modified bioweapons
  • the state of international policy regulating these technologies
  • the shape of possible global regulatory agreements.

Dr. Hayes will address the question, "Is There an Emerging International Consensus on the Proper Uses of the New Human Genetic Technologies?" His prepared testimony is available [PDF] at the Center's website.

The hearing is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. in 2200 Rayburn House Office Building, and will be webcast. For more information, see the subcommittee's website.

The Center for Genetics and Society is a public affairs and policy advocacy organization working to encourage responsible uses and effective societal governance of human biotechnologies.


Contact:
Jesse Reynolds
jreynolds[AT]geneticsandsociety[DOT]org
1-510-625-0819 x308

Richard Hayes
rhayes[AT]geneticsandsociety[DOT]org
1-510-332-1769