Confirmed panelists:
Clive Cookson, Science Editor, Financial Times
Dr Paul Kemp, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, Intercytex Ltd
Professor Ulf Landegren, Dept of Immunology and Genetics, Uppsala University
Moderator:
Conor McKechnie, Head of Public Affairs and Communications, GE Healthcare Life Sciences
Developments in medicine generate huge public interest globally. While such developments are usually perceived as a force for good, they are not always well-understood; this can sometimes have devastating impact. The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine scare in the UK. is a good example. Widely publicised but now-discredited research alleging a link between the vaccine and autism and bowel disease led to a steep decline in vaccination rates in UK, resulting in measles once again becoming endemic in the UK, with a related increase in serious illness, most recently in South Wales.
Regenerative medicine, biotechnologies, gene therapies are exciting developments in medicine: how do we ensure a well-informed public can make decisions in their own best interest? One of our panelists describes public understanding of emerging medical science, as a ‘democratic right’. But why is it important? Who has the most to gain – or lose – from solid public engagement? Whose responsibility is it to make sure the public is well informed? How should media, academia, industry and government work together to improve engagement?
GE Healthcare has gathered top notch panelists from the worlds of media, academia, industry and government to debate and discuss this topic in a 60 minute interactive panel discussion, including questions from the audience, and followed by canapés and drinks.
