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1990–2003

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Human Genome News, January 1998; 9:(1-2)

Judges' Journal Features DNA and Courts

The Summer 1997 issue of the American Bar Association's Judges' Journal is devoted to the challenges and controversies surrounding genetic evidence now entering the nation's courtrooms.

Many topics covered in this issue have been addressed at a series of conferences sponsored by the Einstein Institute for Science, Health, and the Courts (EINSHAC) to educate a core group of 1000 U.S. judges in the basics of genetics and gene testing [HGN 8(1), 1-6]. This project is supported by a grant from the Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues component of the DOE Human Genome Program.

Written in lay language, technical articles in the journal include overviews of the Human Genome Project, molecular biology, and gene testing. The adjudicatory perspective is explored in the context of criminal and civil cases presenting genetic evidence. Guest editors for this issue were Hon. Pauline Newman (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit), Hon. Rosalyn B. Bell (Maryland Court of Special Appeals, retired) and Franklin M. Zweig (EINSHAC).

Articles include "Introducing the Human Genome Project: Its Relevance, Triumphs, and Challenges" by Ari Patrinos and Dan Drell (both of the DOE Human Genome Program); "The Molecules of Life" by Mahlon Hoagland and Bert Dodson; "What Can the New Gene Tests Tell Us?" by Denise Casey (HGMIS); and “Interpreting Scientific Evidence” by John H. Ferguson (NIH), which compares the scientific method with the legal approach and discusses tensions between science and legal proof. [Single copies, $6.50; discounts on bulk purchases (800/285-2221 or 312/988-5522). Casey's article is available from HGMIS [caseydk@ornl.gov]. Articles by Patrinos and Drell and by Casey can be accessed via the Web (http://www.ornl.gov/hgmis/publicat/judges/judgetoc.html).]



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The electronic form of the newsletter may be cited in the following style:
Human Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Human Genome News (v9n1).

Human Genome Project 1990–2003

The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international 13-year effort, 1990 to 2003. Primary goals were to discover the complete set of human genes and make them accessible for further biological study, and determine the complete sequence of DNA bases in the human genome. See Timeline for more HGP history.

Human Genome News

Published from 1989 until 2002, this newsletter facilitated HGP communication, helped prevent duplication of research effort, and informed persons interested in genome research.