Science in the Synagogue Symposium: The End of Illness?

We live in a unique moment when science and technology are poised to seize control of the human genome and perhaps even make disease a distant memory. Congregation Emanu El is thrilled to announce an exciting new program that invites leading scientists and thinkers from our community and around the country to address the spiritual, ethical, and moral dimensions of cutting edge scientific advancements. Join us for a morning of conversation and learning.

Free and open to the public. RSVP online at EmanuElHouston.org

The event will begin at 8:45 a.m. with a catered breakfast.

9:15 – Opening Presentation – Understanding BRCA: Are Ashkenazi Jews uniquely susceptible to breast cancer and what can we do about it?

• Presenter: Simona Shaitelman, MD, EdM, Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Moderator: Rebecca Lunstroth

10:10 – Keynote Lecture – Is CRISPR Magic? What is it, and can we really use it to hijack our genes and destroy disease?

• Presenter: Dana Carroll, PhD, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah School of Medicine and member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Moderator: Rabbi Oren Hayon

11:15 – Panel Discussion – Making Sense of It All: Scientists respond to the challenges and opportunities of the moment.

• Steven J. Frank, MD, Endowed Tenured Professor and Deputy Head, Division of Radiation Oncology, and Medical Director of the University of Texas MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center
• Rebecca Lunstroth, JD, MA, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Associate Director of the McGovern Center for Humanities & Ethics
• Anna Newman, Ph.D., Lecturer in genetics, University of Houston Honors College

Moderator: Rabbi Joshua Fixler

The panel discussion will respond to what we have learned and reflect on how the issues raised in the morning’s presentations are reflected in their own professional work and research. Then the panel will open the floor to community conversation.

This event is free and open to the public. Please share it with your friends and colleagues, and encourage them to pre-register online at www.EmanuElHouston.org. This program is part of Scientists in Synagogues, run by Sinai and Synapses in consultation with the AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion, and funded by the John Templeton Foundation.