Genomic medicine is focus of colloquy and conference

The 2018 DeVos Medical Ethics Colloquy will focus on the ethics of genome editing, a process by which precise alterations are made to an organism's genetic material.

The colloquy, sponsored by Grand Valley's Office of the Vice Provost for Health, is set for Monday, March 26, from 6-8 p.m. in the Eberhard Center. The event is free, register online at gvsu.edu/colloquy. Light refreshments will be served at 5:30 p.m.

Speakers are Matthew Porteus, associate professor of pediatrics at Stanford University, and Alta Charo, professor of law and bioethics at the University of Wisconsin Law School. The moderator is Jeff MacKeigan, professor of cancer biology and complex diseases at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

The colloquy is underwritten by the Richard & Helen DeVos Foundation.

An afternoon conference, "The Ethics of Genomic Medicine," precedes the colloquy and will provide a broader overview of the topic. Sponsored by Office of the Vice Provost for Health and Spectrum Health, the event will run from 1-5 p.m. in the Eberhard Center.

In addition to Porteus and Charo, other panelists and speakers from Van Andel Research Institute, Spectrum Health and Kent State University will give presentations and facilitate discussions.

Cost to attend the afternoon event is $35, register online at gvsu.edu/vphealth.