Washington Metro Objectivism Discussion (WMOD) 
                          
               March 15, 1995 Meeting
     
             THE ETHICS OF DNA TESTING

     The Wednesday March 15 meeting of WMOD will have a
 discussion based on questions raised in the November 5,
 1994 SCIENCE NEWS magazine article: "Beyond the Genome - 
 The Ethics of DNA Testing" by Kathy A. Fackelmann:

 1. A Case of Dwarfism - A dwarf couple seeks genetic
 counseling about having a child.  They DO NOT want a
 normal child, since it would be difficult for them to
 raise and it would not fit into their world.  How
 should the counseling center assist them?

 2. A Case of Who Decides - A pregnant woman with a
 family history of mental retardation seeks genetic
 counseling so that she can abort a fetus that carries
 the flawed gene, whether or not the fetus is itself
 would develop into a retarded child.  How should the
 center assist her?

 3. A Question of Privacy - A woman is diagnosed with a
 genetic defect that leads to cancer by age 40.  She
 refuses to share the diagnosis with her family who may
 be at risk.  Should the counseling center inform the
 family?

 4. A Question of Paternity - A couple have a baby with
 a genetic defect and undergo genetic testing to
 determine the risk of having more defective children. 
 The tests disclose that the husband is not the father
 of the original child.  Who should be told of the
 findings?
 
 (Thanks to Marsha Enright of The New Intellectual Forum
 in Chicago for suggesting this topic)  

  When and Where?

     Join us for dinner on 3/15 at 7 pm and/or for the talk at 
 8:15 pm at the Fortune Chinese Restaurant at Baileys Xroads, VA 
 on Route 7 between 7 Corners and Columbia Pike (5900 Leesburg 
 Pike 703/998-8888). You can take METRO to the West Falls Church 
 stop and then take METRO buses 29A or 29B East on Route 7 toward
 Baileys Xroads. The Fortune is on this route. After the meeting 
 we can give you a ride back to a METRO station.  WMOD has 
 arranged for a $15 fixed price dinner (including tax and tip). 
 Or you can order from the menu.  Please RSVP to WMOD before noon 
 Wednesday 3/15/95 for the dinner and/or the talk so that we can 
 tell the restaurant how many tables to set up.
                             
                       DC AREA CALENDAR

 * 1995 WMOD meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each 
   month (locations may vary) 

 * 3/5 No. VA Classical Liberal Get Together - 4-6PM in Fairfax, 
   Contact Louis James 703/273-5762(h) or 703/934-6970(w) or Email:
   cmp@gmu.edu; 1995 meetings held on the 1st Sunday of each month

 * 3/23 Vienna Coffee Club - Fred Smith of CEI: "Saving the Ecology 
   without Destroying the Economy"
 * 4/13 Vienna Coffee Club - Leonard Liggio of Atlas Institute: 
   "The Emergence of Libertarianism"
   (at Tysons Marriott by Future of Freedom Foundation - RSVP Carl 
   Helstrom at 703/934-6969) 

 * 3/31-4/21 21st Century Objectivist Conferences: "Challenging the
   Future" with Andrew Bernstein, Gary Hull and Richard Salsman; at 
   the BWI Airport Sheraton, by Lyceum International, 206/876-5868. 

                       -------------------

     NOTE: WMOD is an independent group and does not necessarily 
     endorse any of the other groups or activities above. 

   To keep informed about WMOD and related activities, send your
 email address and/or snail mail address to: 
 +----------------------+-----------------------------+
 |Dave Saum             |Email  : DSaum at infiltec.com   |
 |Infiltec              |Tel    : 703/820-7696        |
 |PO Box 8007           |Fax    : 703/671-9350        | 
 |Falls Church, VA 22041|"Sapere aude" (dare to know) |
 +----------------------+-----------------------------+

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