Forum on blood spots, genetic research and privacy to be held in Bethesda Sept. 23, 2009

Newborn Screening is an invaluable public health program that saves lives and helps to prevent the development of serious disease and debilitation. But how can privacy and autonomy best be maintained regarding the residual dried blood spots which are collected from newborns shortly after birth? To address this and other compelling issues surrounding the use of newborn screening blood spots, experts from across the US from a number of renowned institutions including the Mayo Clinic, the March of Dimes, the American College of Medical Genetics and the Genetic Alliance will host a public/professional forum and Internet webinar on "Blood Spots, Genetic Research and Privacy."

Sponsored by the American College of Medical Genetics, the American College of Medical Genetics Foundation and the Genetic Alliance, this session is free and appropriate for the public, parents, health professionals, policymakers, the media and anyone with an interest in newborn screening.

The Forum will be held at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Convention Center on Wednesday, September 23 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm and is free. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Email Claudia McNatt at ACMG at cmcnatt@acmg.net to register as space is limited. The session will also be broadcast over the Internet as a free webinar. Visit https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/989705827 to register for the free webinar.

The topics and speakers include:

Welcome: Michael S. Watson, PhD, FACMG, Executive Director, American College of Medical Genetics

Blood Spots, Genetic Research, and Privacy: Moderator - Sharon Terry, MA, President and CEO, The Genetic Alliance

Overview of Newborn Screening, Potential Uses of Residual Dried Blood Spots, and Protection of Privacy: Alan R. Fleischman, MD, Senior Vice President and Medical Director, The March of Dimes

The Public's Perceptions Related to Uses of Newborn Screening Dried Blood Spots: Sharon Kardia, PhD, Professor and Chair, Dept. of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health

The Many Lives of the Newborn Screening Dried Blood Spot: Piero Rinaldo, MD, PhD, FACMG, Professor of Laboratory Medicine, T. Denny Stanford Professor of Pediatrics, Mayo College of Medicine

Newborn Screening and its Improvement: A Consumer Perspective: Jana Monaco, Parent

Summary and Questions and Answers: Sharon Terry, MA, The Genetic Alliance

Source: American College of Medical Genetics