Genetics without borders?
Released: 16 August 2010
An expert panel including representatives from the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Human Rights Commission, Scottish Refugee Council, and Strathclyde University will debate the pros and cons of using genetic testing to verify an asylum seeker’s country of origin, as well as broader questions about science taking precedence over personal experience or history.Speakers are:
- Hugh O'Donnell, MSP
- Professor Alan Miller, Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission
- Gary Christie, Policy & Research Manager, Scottish Refugee Council
- Dr Bruce Durie, Course Director of Genealogical Studies, University of Strathclyde
Dr Steve Sturdy, Deputy Director of the ESRC Genomics Forum, commented,
“The work of policing our borders poses many difficulties for immigration officials, including the problem of confirming asylum seekers' identities and countries of origin. DNA tests appear to offer a possible solution to this problem.
“But before such tests are implemented, it is vital that we take stock of just what they can and cannot tell us, and how such information might relate to the circumstances under which asylum seekers come to this country. The Genomics Forum is delighted to be sponsoring this event, which will provide a valuable opportunity to debate what may literally be questions of life and death.”
Gary Christie, Policy and Research Manager at Scottish Refugee Council, said,
“This issue goes to the heart of how we protect those fleeing persecution. DNA use questions whether the aim of the UK Government is to create a fair and just asylum system that provides genuine protection, or simply to reduce asylum applications.
“This debate is all the more timely given the new UK government is currently reviewing how it makes decisions on asylum claims.”
Professor Alan Miller, Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, said,
"The Scottish Human Rights Commission is pleased to be participating in this important debate. It will outline the human rights legal framework within which all DNA policies must be determined."
British Council Scotland Director Paul Docherty added,
“As an organisation that builds links for Scotland overseas we understand the importance of a diverse and politically-aware society. Scotland has a long-running relationship with the advancement of political behaviour through scientific debate and we are pleased to be working with our partners at the ESRC Genomics Forum and the Scottish Parliament in an event that is sure to continue this tradition.”
This FREE but ticketed event, ‘Judged by Genetics?’ is part of the 2010 Festival of Politics Programme and takes place on Tuesday 17 August, 1.30-2.30pm. For further information and tickets visit www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk
Ends
Contact name:
For further information, please contact:Emma-Elizabeth Capewell, (Genomics Forum) 0131 651 4746/ emma.capewell@ed.ac.uk
For a press pass to this event, please contact: Isla Mair (Scottish Parliament) 0131 348 6269/ isla.mair@scottish.parliament.uk
Note to Editors:
The ESRC Genomics Forum - www.genomicsnetwork.ac.uk/forum
Based at University of Edinburgh, the Forum pioneers new ways to promote and communicate social research on contemporary life science and ensures that research from the Genomics Network informs policy, scientific practice and public debate. We are part of the ESRC Genomics Network (EGN), a £25 million investment by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), dedicated to examining the development and use of the science and technologies of genomics. The EGN spans 5 of the UK’s leading universities and its activities include the whole field of genomics, covering areas as diverse as DNA profiling and identity politics, plant and animal genetics, personal genomics, embryonic stem cell research, and synthetic biology.
Genomics and Identity Politics - www.genomicsnetwork.ac.uk/forum/events/genomicsandidentitypoliticsworkstream/
The EGN runs a joint Genomics and Identity Politics workstream to investigate how genomic and genetic knowledge and practice relate to the politics of identity.
Festival of Politics - http://www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk/index.htm
Now in its sixth year, the award winning festival will run from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 August and includes 47 events, many of which feature famous faces, such as journalist and campaigner Martin Bell, political commentator Peter Kellner, and political elder-statesman Sir Malcolm Rifkind QC MP.
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