Genetic Information and the Law:

Issues in the Insurance and Employment Settings

Health Law Day

Friday, May 20, 2005

Faculty of Law, University of Toronto

AGENDA

9:00-9:10                     Welcome:                                                                                                                              (10 mins.)

Christian Burk, CEO, Ontario Genomics Institute &                                                  

Professor Trudo Lemmens, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto

9:10-9:40                     Genetic Information: A Scientific Overview

Presenter:      Dr. Sherryl Taylor, Queen’s University                                                  (30 mins.)

9:40-11:00                   Genetic Testing and Insurance

Presenters:

Yann Joly, Université de Montréal: “Points to Consider”                                    (20 mins.)

Frank Zinatelli, CLHIA, “The Perspective of the Insurance Industry”           (20 mins.)

Teren Clarke, Canadian Paraplegic Association: “Patient Advocacy               (20 mins.)

 Perspectives”                                              

Discussion                                                                                                                (20 mins.)

11:00-11:15                 Break

11:15-12:15                 Genetic Testing in Employment

Presenters:

Dr. Paul A. Schulte, N.I.O.S.H. (U.S.): “Genetics and Occupational Health” (20 mins.)

Craig A. Flood, Koskie Minsky, Toronto: “Genetics and Employee Rights”    (20 mins.)

Discussion                                                                                                                (20 mins.)

12:15-1:30                   Lunch

1:30-2:00                     Privacy Issues

Presenter:

Patricia Kosseim, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada                      (30 mins.)

2:00-3:15                     Human Rights Issues: Genetic Discrimination

Presenters:

Trudo Lemmens, University of Toronto,                                                                        (20 mins.)

“Genetic-at-risk Status and Protection under Canadian Human Rights Law”          

Hart Schwartz, Director, Legal Services, Ontario Human Rights Commission (20 mins.)

                                                “The Ontario Human Rights Commission and Genetic Discrimination”       (20 mins.)

Discussion

3:15                             Conclusion and Reception