Events

Past Event

The Search for Genetic Origins of Human Behavior: Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications

April 11, 2016
9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
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Faculty House, Columbia University, 64 Morningside Drive, New York, NY 10027

The search for genes that influence human behavior raises important ethical, legal, and social issues.  How will our attitudes change if we learn that people’s behavior is due, at least in part, to genes?  Should genetic tests that predict tendencies to behave in certain ways be developed, and if so, how should they be used?   If genetic contributions to gender identity are found, will that alter how we view sexuality and gender?  What impact will identification of genes that contribute to criminal behavior, including violence, have on our views about personal responsibility?  Should the legal system alter its approach to culpability for criminal actions and punishment? At this conference, ethical, legal, and social issues related to behavior genetics will be discussed in the context of two particularly timely topics: gender identity and violent behavior.

The full program is available on the Center for Research on the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Psychiatric, Neurologic and Behavioral Genetics' website.

PLEASE REGISTER!
The conference is free and open to the public, but registration is required as space is limited. To register please email ELSI Annual Conference by March 28, 2016.