April 24, 2001
Contact: Jennifer Day, (313) 577-1058, jday@med.wayne.edu

Statewide Genetics Symposium focuses on impact of genetics on chronic disease, public health

Newspapers have become filled with the stuff of science journals -- and even science fiction. We’ve read about decoding the human genome, screening programs to identify and prevent inherited diseases and dozens of experimental gene therapies that may eventually be used to treat everything from Alzheimer’s disease to prostate cancer.

But what does all this genetic mumbo-jumbo mean to people today?

Wayne State University’s Center for Molecular Medicine & Genetics will host this year’s Michigan Statewide Genetics Symposium: Genetic Impact on Chronic Disease and Public Health on Wednesday, May 2, at the John D. Dingell Veteran’s Administration Medical Center.

The daylong event will feature Maren Scheuner, MD, MPH, director of the GenRISK Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles since 1995. She is an expert on cardiovascular genetics and will present the keynote address, “Genetic Factors in Heart Disease: Public Health Impact and Implications.”

Dr. Scheuner recently completed research on the prevention of coronary artery disease and bypass graft atherosclerosis through cardiovascular genetics. She has written many articles, research papers, book chapters and abstracts on genetic issues.

Other presenters from Wayne State University’s School of Medicine, the Detroit Medical Center, the Michigan Department of Community Health and other universities and health care systems throughout the state of Michigan will focus on several subjects, including

*the role of genetics in state public health programs for chronic disease;

*genetic applications for managing mental illness;

*genetic factors in diabetes, stroke and coronary heart disease; and

*informed consent laws for genetic testing.

Wayne State University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Wayne State University School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

The Wayne State University School of Medicine has designated this educational activity for a maximum of six hours in category 1 credit towards the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award.  Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

With more than 1,000 medical and graduate students, WSU is among the nation’s largest medical schools. Together with the Detroit Medical Center, the school is a leader in patient care and medical research in a number of areas including cancer, genetics, pediatrics and the neurosciences.

Registration is required for this event. Registration fees are $25 for physicians, faculty and general public, $10 for students and free for members of the press. For more information or to register online, please visit the Molecular Medicine & Genetics web site: http://www.genetics.wayne.edu/