Inter-college faculty Seminar in Humanities and Sciences (ISHS)
A forum for discussion and interaction among faculty at UMass-Boston. Faculty from different disciplines and colleges come together to focus on topics of common interest, exchange ideas, renew their intellectual energy, and advance their work in a spirit of adventure and collaboration.
Spring 2004: "Social uses of 'genetic' knowledge"
This theme is intended to resonate with current concerns in many fields as well as to offer scope for a historical and philosophical discussion of attempts from well before the advent of modern genetics to find explanations in nature for inequalities in society. We want to stress that you should feel free to approach the topic in your own way, and as it relates to your own interests. What we are looking for is a group of people who would like to explore their own particular 'take' on the topic in the company of others; to enrich each other's perspectives; to deepen their own imagination and conception of the issues; and to see what results from a collaborative, interdisciplinary exercise. You don't have to be an expert; and you don't have to limit yourself to our suggestions. Ideally this will be work in progress for all, which will produce ideas we may not have anticipated.
Session topics
Thurs 29 Jan, 11.30-1
Autobiographical introductions: How we came to be interested in genetics and society
--------
Thurs 12 Feb, 11.30-1
Diagramming the "intersecting processes" in Paul, D. (1997), The history of newborn phenylketonuria screening in the U.S. , http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/research/fed/tfgt/appendix5.htm
Activity and discussion led by Peter Taylor
--------
Weds 25 Feb, 3.30-5
Is genetic medical information different from nongenetic medical information? Implications for genetic anti-discrimination legislation.
In two papers J. Alper and J. Beckwith take the view that there is basically no difference. References: "Distinguishing Genetic from Nongenetic Medical Tests: Some Implications for Anti-Discrimination Legislation," Science and Engineering Ethics vol 4 141-150 1998 and "Reconsidering Genetic Discrimination Legislation," J. Law Medicine and Ethics vol 26, 205-210, 1998 (full text available through library online databases).
Discussion led by Joe Alper
--------
Tues 9 Mar, 11.30-1
Fetal origins of disease in SE Asian refugees.
Reading: Working paper by P. Clarkin, "The Fetal Origins Hypothesis and the Hmong Refugee Diaspora"
(Background from Peter T.: Several research groups, most notably Barker's group at the University of Southampton, have located data on body size and body shape at birth for cohorts of individuals and related these data to diseases arising in these individuals later in life. Associations have been found between nutrition during critical periods in utero and diseases of late life, including heart disease, diabetes, and death by suicide. The associations stand out even after allowing for confounding associations between socioeconomic status, low birth weight, and adult diseases. It appears that, through "gestational programming" of biochemical patterns and cell distribution within organs, disease susceptibility can be inborn, yet with origins that are environmental, not genetic. Reference: First chapter of Barker, D. J. P. (1998). Mothers, Babies, and Health in Later Life. Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone.)
Discussion led by Patrick Clarkin
--------
Tues 23 Mar, 11.30-1, Troy Room
The science and politics of genetically modified organisms
Discussion led by Rick Kesseli
--------
Weds 7 Apr, 3.30-5, Large Conference Room
Moving debates over genetic determinism in new directions
Discussion led by Peter Taylor
Reading: Taylor, P. ms. "What can we do?"
--------
Weds 21 Apr 3.30-5, Large Conference Room
S. Pinker's The Blank Slate - START READING NOW, especially up to p. 102 & chap. 19
Discussion led by Russell Schutt
--------
Thurs 6 May, 11.30-1, Troy Room
Erik Parens: Hastings Center Report on "Why talking about behavioral genetics is important and difficult"
Discussion led by Peter Taylor
Participants, Spring 04
Joe Alper, Chemistry
Patrick Clarkin, Anthropology
Nina Greenwald, Critical and Creative Thinking
Rick Kesseli, Biology
Arthur Millman, Philosophy
Dorothy Nelson, English
Diane Paul, Politics
Russell Schutt, Sociology
Rachel Skvirsky, Biology
Peter Taylor, Critical and Creative Thinking
Last update 15 May 2004.