The completion of the Human Genome Project, research in gene therapy and stem cell therapy, and the development of antenatal screening and embryo selection technologies has fuelled belief that genetics is the answer to the disability problem. Dr Tom Shakespeare from the University of Newcastle will be giving a lecture ‘Can Genetics Solve The Disability Problem’ on Wednesday, May 5 (2004) at St John’s College.

Dr Shakespeare’s lecture will explore the criticisms of such an approach. He will discuss how genetics cannot achieve what some have promised, that there are significant ethical and social problems with some genetic applications, and experience with the introduction of statutory rights suggests that barrier removal and anti-discrimination policies are more effective routes to solving the disability problem.

The Lecture will take place on Wednesday 5th May 2004 at the Palmerston Room, Fisher Building, St John’s College, Cambridge, and will commence at 5.00pm.

Dr Shakespeare was an undergraduate and postgraduate in Social and Political Sciences at the University of Cambridge, and has since worked at the Universities of Sunderland, Leeds and Newcastle. He has written and broadcast widely about disability and about genetics, and has been involved in the disability movement for nearly 20 years. His most recent book was "Genetic Politics: from eugenics to genome". He is currently Director of Outreach for the Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences Research Institute, a joint project of the University of Newcastle, University of Durham and Centre for Life.

For further information please contact:

Disability Resource Centre, Keynes House, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1QA Telephone: 01223 332301

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you use this content on your site please link back to this page.