Events

20 November 2007
Vancouver

6 December 2007
Hamilton

Co-organizers were Genome British Columbia, Let's Talk Science, Shaftesbury Films, and the Structural Genomics Consortium. Sponsors were Dalton Pharma Services, the Golden Horseshoe Biosciences Network, Genome Canada, McMaster University, Ontario Centres of Excellence, Ontario's Ministry of Research and Innovation, and Trivaris.

In late 2007 in Hamilton,  more than 1,600 people attended 'Revealing ReGenesis,' a series of public-outreach events centring  on the science - and its impact on society - behind the plot lines of the Gemini Award--winning TV science drama ReGenesis.

The events' interactive formats engaged participants in active discussions about the depiction of science and scientists on TV, public access to scientific information, and whether or not one's own genetic make-up can allay personal responsibility.

The first event -- a school assembly at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School -- drew more than 1,300 students and their teachers. Using slides and clips from ReGenesis, Peter Outerbridge, who plays scientist David Sandström on the show, joined OGI-funded researchers Drs. Aled Edwards (University of Toronto) and Jayne Danska (SickKids) to explore the roles of science and scientists in real life and how genes and environmental influences together shape the emergence and progression of diseases such as type-II diabetes or other human traits, including addictive tendencies. Each teacher also received a bound copy of OGI's Facts Behind the Fiction, OGI's innovative, web-based companion to episodes of ReGenesis, to use in class. After the assembly, 270 students participated in science and drama workshops.

That evening, close to 300 people attended a unique public forum -- moderated by Jay Ingram, host of Discovery Channel's daily science magazine program, Daily Planet -- at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Two clips from ReGenesis served as launch points for discussion of genetics and genomics and the social impact of cutting-edge science. A panel consisting of Mr. Outerbridge, Dr. Edwards, and McMaster University bioethicist Dr. Lisa Schwartz responded to the clips and to feedback from the audience.  Each table of ten participants at the forum had a scientist as host to facilitate discussion of issues arising from each television clip shown.

The events in Hamilton followed a similar forum organized by the same partners that Genome British Columbia hosted in November in Vancouver. In total, across the two cities, over 2,500 students, teachers, scientists, government officials, and members of the public took part in the events.