The ethical questions raised by mixing commerce and genetics will be examined during the annual University of Colorado at Boulder Japha Symposium on Business and Professional Ethics on Nov. 10-11.
The free public symposium, "The Ethics of Genetic Commerce," is set for Nov. 11 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Boulder Marriott Hotel, 2660 Canyon Blvd. The symposium is hosted by the Center for Business and Society of the Leeds School of Business.
The symposium will kick off Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. with a free public panel discussion on "The Ethics of Pharmaceutical Pricing: At Home and Abroad," in the University Memorial Center's Aspen Room. The panel will explore various issues including who has access to which drugs and at what cost, including low-income families and the uninsured, and how this process works in America and other countries. The difficulties getting new drugs to market also will be discussed.
"Genetic commerce is a complex topic that will affect more aspects of our lives and the business world in coming years," said Robert Kolb, assistant dean for business and society at the Leeds School of Business. "During the symposium we hope to gain a better understanding of this growing issue."
Topics to be covered during the symposium include "Geneticize Me: Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing," "Corporate Decisions about GM Food Labeling," and "Pharmaceutical Mergers and Genetics Technology: A Problematic Combination."
Papers presented at the symposium will be published in a Leeds School of Business book series in cooperation with Blackwell Publishers.
CU alumnus and Denver attorney Dan Japha established the ethics symposium in honor of his parents, Ly and Gerry Japha, through a donation to the Leeds School of Business. Japha's goal in creating the symposium was to teach business students and others in the community the importance of ethical conduct in business.
Participants planning to attend the 8 a.m. breakfast or lunch Nov. 11 must R.S.V.P. by calling (303) 492-0437 or by emailing BizSoc@Colorado.edu.
For more information on the symposium call (303) 492-0437 or visit and click on Japha Symposium for Business and Professional Ethics.