From: Ted Davis (TDavis@messiah.edu)
Date: Fri Jan 10 2003 - 09:19:47 EST
The following events may interest ASAers within a couple hours of
Harrisburg, PA. The featured speaker is Edward J. Larson, Professor of Law
and History at the University of Georgia. Ed was a keynote speaker at the
ASA annual meeting in 2001. Interested people may contact Ted Davis at:
tdavis@messiah.edu.
Tues, Mar 25 at 7:30 pm. Public lecture, "Eugenics, Human Gene Testing and
Genetic Discrimination," in Brubaker Auditorium (Messiah College campus).
Free.
Description: Human gene testing offers new techniques for determining in
advance an individual's genetic susceptibilities for an increasing number
of physical conditions. For example, such tests can be used to determine
whether someone is at a heightened risk for several dozen diseases or
disabilities--and more tests are on the way. Although these techniques
promise great medical benefit, they also have raised concerns about privacy
and discrimination. Although human gene testing is new, the concerns are
not. In fact, a century ago, geneticists thought they could predict
heightened risk for disease and disability using family histories, and
attempted to address the issue through eugenic restrictions on reproduction.
Drawing on this past experience with eugenics, historian and law professor
Edward J. Larson will examine the potential social risks and current legal
protections surrounding human gene testing.
Wed, Mar 26 at 9:00 am
Seminar on "Creationism and the Law," venue TBA. Designed for lawmakers,
school administrators, school board members. Others may contact Ted Davis
for permission to attend.
Description: A leading authority on science and the first amendment, Dr.
Larson will review state statutes and policies as well as federal judicial
decisions involving the teaching of evolution in public schools. He will
also comment on the writing of science standards for public schools,
focusing on what has happened relative to creationism and "intelligent
design." It is suggested that seminar participants purchase a copy of the
new, third edition of Larson's book, Trial and Error: The American
Controversy Over Creation and Evolution, just released by Oxford University
Press. Larson holds a Ph.D in the history of science from the University of
Wisconsin and a law degree from Harvard. He hold chairs in both the history
department and the law school at the University of Georgia.
Wed, Mar 26 at 7:00 pm
Public event on "God and the Galapagos," Whitaker Center, Harrisburg, PA.
Tickets ($10) will be available in a few weeks from the Messiah College box
office. 717-691-6036.
A showing of the IMAX film Galapagos (45 mins), followed by a lecture (45
mins) by Larson, "God and Science in the Galapagos Islands," with
questions/answers (30 mins)
Description: Dr. Larson will trace the historical place of these enchanted
isles in human culture, focusing on their role in reflecting and shaping
Western thinking about evolutionary science and natural theology. Charles
Darwin looms large in this story, but so do a surprisingly rich cast of
other scientists, explorers, and nature writers. The story continues to the
present day, with the islands' recent evolution into a center for
biological field work and a prime destination of eco-tourists.
These events are made possible by a generous grant from the John M.
Templeton Foundation.
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