USM to Host Interactive Forum on Human Genetic Editing

The University of Southern Mississippi's Center for Science and Mathematics Education will host a unique and interactive forum regarding human genetic editing from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 12 at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) on the Hattiesburg campus.

With funding from the National Science Foundation through the Boston Museum of Science, USM has been selected as one of 20 sites in the U.S. to host the forum. Students, staff, faculty, and others interested are invited to participate. Lunch will be provided.

Dr. Gailen D. Marshall Jr. will serve as the guest speaker. Marshall is the R. Faser Triplett Sr. MD Chair of Allergy and Immunology; Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Pathology; Vice Chair for Research; Director, Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy; and Chief, Laboratory of Behavioral Immunology Research at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi. He also serves as editor-in-chief of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology journal

Forum discussions will focus on three scenarios:

• The use of genetic engineering for therapy (such as to correct Duchesnne muscular dystrophy) and/or for enhancements (such as for increasing muscle strength).

• Questions of equity and access to the benefits of genetic engineering, such as, who should pay for treatments that affect only certain groups of people and how should it be funded?

• Should embryos with a known mutation be genetically altered and, if so, how would this impact society?

Seating is limited. To register visit: https://tinyurl.com/buildingwithbiology. For further information, call Sherry Herron at 601.266.4739 or e-mail to sherry.herronFREEMississippi