1999 Genetics, Law and Society Conference, Saint Paul, Minnesota

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When Europeans learned of Columbus' discovery of new lands far away, they probably gasped in surprise. Suddenly their lives had gained potential for more knowledge, riches and change than had been available ever before.

Today our scientists and business developers offer a new land of knowledge, riches, and possibilities from information of life's own codes. The potential to modify, and even create, life in the plant, fish, animal, bird and human worlds both inspires and frightens us. We know enough about ourselves to realize this knowledge holds potential for creating health or Hell. 

The conference on Genetics, Law and Society, to be held October 11-14, 1999, was an effort to bring experts from a number of science, religious, business and public policy perspectives to talk about the way to better human lives while avoiding the path to suffering. Intelliware was overwhelmed by people possessing insights, passion and expertise who wished to present and discuss these issues.

However, the timing of our conference revealed the current debates within the biotechnology community regarding appropriate business development in plant and human life technologies. There was a deep concern by the business sector over reactions to a public discussion of these issues. No amount of reassurances and invitations to participate sufficed to allay their fears.

Without the participation of the business community, presenters would not have their perspective in evaluating and recommending action. Therefore, it was decided to postpone the conference until a substantial number of biotechs could participate. The development of this conference did enable a skilled group of experts to speculate on the most fundamental issues of our age. We have collected these presenters' papers into this compilation so that their opinions are given wide circulation now. We are indebted to our speakers for their assent in including their remarks in this collection.

Among the issues raised in these papers are:

Is the production of a living entity comprised of cells from two or more living beings immoral?

Can this new entity be patentable or does patentability simply encourage immorality?

Why agricultural experimentation must discover a new means of radically increasing production while tillable land continues to diminish.

Should the federal government be allowed to use the language of Federal Government contracts to force compulsory licenses on pharmaceutical companies in order to aid countries in the grip of health epidemics.

Are there ways in which the drug development process can be changed so that the huge costs of development and marketing are reduced, thereby reducing costs to the American consumer?

How can women's opinions effectively be heard on genetic policy when women are underrepresented in the federal and state governments and business?

How should governments in free market economies persuade people in other countries that sufficient regulatory safeguards exist on genetically modified foods?

Intelliware International Inc. continues to believe that this conference will be realized soon. 

Just as Columbus had the courage to find new worlds, we members of the human community will have to chart a new course in our quest to improve Man's life- in the physical, emotional, and spiritual realms. Since all legal, political and business systems are the product of what men and women believe are the proper goals of society, we challenge the business community to participate more fully in these discussions. The future does not control us; we can and will control the future.

Please enjoy the articles contained herein.

Thank you,

Linda K. Hopkins

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