LSVSP lecture series on questions raised by modern science

ANN ARBOR—A new University of Michigan lecture series aims to explore the profound social and values implications of developments in the life sciences.

Beginning in October, the Community Lecture Series will share the expertise of the University through Sunday evening discussions of scientific developments and related social implications. The series is hosted by the Life Sciences, Values, and Society Program (LSVSP). Rebecca Eisenberg, U-M professor of law and a nationally known expert on intellectual property and biotechnology, will moderate the discussions.

Organizers of the series modeled it after U-M’s popular Saturday Morning Physics lecture program, with the hope of involving the larger community in examining what is happening in life sciences research.

“The LSVSP Outreach Lecture Series will focus on sharing new knowledge and explaining the science behind the headlines,” said Richard Lempert, director of the Values and Society Program. “The series will also provide the speakers and audience with opportunities to discuss the social impact of life science developments and the value issues these developments raise.”

On the agenda this fall are:

Oct. 7—David Burke: “The Human Genome Project, Evolution, and Health.” Burke is an associate professor of human genetics and an associate research scientist with the Institute of Gerontology. Burke has been involved with technology development in the Human Genome Project and is collaborating with faculty members in the College of Engineering to develop microfabricated devices for simple, portable genome analysis.

Oct. 14—Randolph Nesse: “Darwinian Medicine: Why Isn’t the Body Better Designed?” Nesse is a professor of psychiatry, a professor of psychology and a faculty associate at the Research Center for Group Dynamics, part of the Institute for Social Research. His book with George Williams, “Why We Get Sick,” helped initiate the field of Darwinian medicine. He directs the Evolution and Human Adaptation Program at U-M.

Oct. 21—Randolph Nesse: “Is Depression an Evolved Adaptation?”

Oct. 28—Terry Robinson: “How Drugs Change the Brain: Implications for Addiction.” Robinson, the Elliot S. Valenstein Collegiate Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology, is involved in research on the relationship between brain activity and behavior, the nature of changes in the brain by exposure to drugs of abuse, and how drug-induced changes in the brain contribute to addiction.

Nov. 4—Terry Robinson: “The Psychology and Neurobiology of Addiction.”

Nov. 11—Wendy Uhlmann: “Why Does Family History Matter? An Inside Look at Genetic Counseling.” Uhlmann, a genetic counselor, coordinates the Medical Genetics Clinic at U-M and is a clinical instructor in human genetics. She is past president of the National Society of Genetic Counselors, and co-edited the book “A Guide to Genetic Counseling,” published by Wiley-Liss in 1998.

Nov. 18—Wendy Uhlmann: “What Would You Do? Ethically Challenging Cases from a Genetics Clinic.”

All lectures are scheduled for 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Room 100 of Hutchins Hall, part of U-M’s Law Quad, at the corner of State and Monroe streets in Ann Arbor. Informal discussion and refreshments will follow 8:30-9 p.m. There is no cost to attend.

[Central Campus map, Hutchins Hall lower left]

To learn more about the Values and Society program, visit http://www.lifesciences.umich.edu/values/index.html. To join a mailing list for this lecture series, send an e-mail to [email protected] with “subscribe” in the subject line. To learn about the Values and Society program’s complete list of upcoming events, visit http://lifesciences.umich.edu/values/lsvspres.html#Join

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EDITORS: For more about the lecture series speakers, visit these U-M Web sites:

David Burke, http://www.med.umich.edu/hg/RESEARCH/FACULTY/Burke/Burke.htm

Randy Nesse, http://www.isr.umich.edu/rcgd/faculty/ http://www.med.umich.edu/psych/education/research/isrres.htm

Terry Robinson, http://www.umich.edu/~neurosci/faculty/robinson.htm

Wendy Uhlmann, http://www.medgen.med.umich.edu/clinic/wuhlmann http://www.med.umich.edu/hg/EDUCATION/PROGRAMS/GCWeb/AboutUs/GCFaculty.htm

Rebecca Eisenberg, http://www.law.umich.edu/_FacultyBioPage/facultybiopage.asp?uniqname=rse