THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL AND YORK UNIVERSITY TO HOST TV DEBATES ON ANIMAL RIGHTS AND GENETIC ENGINEERING<p>

THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL AND YORK UNIVERSITY TO HOST TV DEBATES ON ANIMAL RIGHTS AND GENETIC ENGINEERING

TORONTO, October 3, 1997 -- York University and the Discovery Channel have joined forces to host the first-ever Discovery Debates @York: two evenings of lively and informative debate on two very crucial scientific and social issues -- animal rights and genetic engineering.

On October 6 and 7, 1997, York University's Burton Auditorium will play host to television debates moderated by the Discovery Channel's Jay Ingram, featuring an array of notable Canadian and international scientists, scholars and activists. Ingram will also encourage participation and questions from the audience.

"This partnership with the Discovery Channel enables us to reach out to the community and involve them in a socially relevant discussion of these important scientific issues," said York President Dr. Lorna Marsden. "Students are attracted to York's science programs because they know that our researchers and scholars pay attention to the kinds of social and ethical issues being raised in these debates." "Animal Ethics: Should animals have rights?" will be the subject of debate on October 6. Throughout history, humans have alway used animals -- for work, clothing, protection and food. But where do we draw the line between necessity and luxury? Should animals be used to test cosmetics? What about research into life-threatening diseases?

Participants in this debate will try to answer these questions, and explore their differing philosophies about the relationship between animals and humans: Are animals sentient beings with legal rights? Or creatures meant for human consumption, companionship and profit?

Panelists for this debate include:

Gary Francione, a professor of law and philosophy and Rutgers University Law School and Co-director of the Rutgers Animal Rights Law Center

Alan Herscovici, a consultant to the agriculture and fur industries and the author of Second Nature: The Animal Rights Controversy

Dr. Mark Bisby, a professor of physiology at Queen's University in Kingston, and the Director of Programs for the Medical Research Council of Canada

Stephanie Brown, Chair of the Experimentation Committee for the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, and board member of the Joseph F. Morgan Research Foundation (an organization that studies alternatives to using animals in research)

Jeff Goodwin, an agricultural educator at the University of Idaho

Liz White, the Director of the Animal Alliance of Canada, who has worked on various pieces of Canadian agricultural legislation

York University scholars who will be participating as audience members include Barbara Noske, a professor in the Faculty of Environmental Studies and the author of Humans and Animals.

The second debate, on October 7, will focus on the question: "Genetic Engineering: Are we trying to create perfect people?" With recent public attention focused on Dolly, the cloned sheep, this debate will tackle where we should draw the line in genetic engineering. Should we continue to benefit from genetic therapies and testing, or should legislation put a stop to this technology now?

Panelists for the October 7 debate include:

Elizabeth Abergel, a doctoral student in York's Faculty of Environmental Studies specializing in science policy. Abergel is a former molecular biologist who worked in the biotechnology industry for seven years.

Dr. Bartha Knoppers, a professor of law at the Universite de Montreal and the chair of the medical, ethical, legal and social issues committee of the Canadian Genome Analysis and Technology Program. Dr. Knoppers has also acted as a member of the Royal Commission on Reproductive Technologies, and a member of several international bioethics bodies.

Laura Shanner, a professor of philosophy and bioethics with the Joint Centre for Bioethics at the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto.

Dr. Alan Bernstein, Director of the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital and the head of Mount Sinai's gene therapy program.

Varda Burstyn, a writer and activist in environmental and women's health issues, and former co-chair of the Reproductive Technologies committee for the National Action Committee for the Status of Women (NAC). Ms Burstyn was the principal author of NAC's submission to the Royal Commission on Reproductive Technologies.

James Hughes, a visiting assistant professor in the department of sociology and community medicine at the University of Connecticut, and a former faculty member at the University of Chicago's Centre for Clinical Medical Ethics.

Both debates start at 7 p.m. in the Burton Auditorium in York's Fine Arts Building: the animal rights debate on Monday, October 6, and the genetic engineering debate on Tuesday, October 7. The debates will air this fall on the Discovery Channel.

Parking is free in Lot 1B after 6:45 p.m.

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For more information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor for Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
email: sinem@yorku.ca

Alison Masemann
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
email: masemann@yorku.ca

Sally Blake
Producer
High Road Productions
(416) 920-6852
email: sally@ican.net
YU/084/97

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