Presidential Symposium: Genetic Exceptionalism - From Its Beginning to Its End?

This symposium will focus on several areas of genetic exceptionalism. The speakers will discuss the topic from its origins and history to how it affects everyday practice of genetics. The thesis of this symposium is that exceptionalism is a barrier to the vision of the Society, which is that "People everywhere realize the benefits of human genetics and genomics research." Exceptionalism creates barriers in academia between geneticists and other scientists. It isolates geneticists from other specialists and providers in hospitals and clinics. This barrier must be broken down to realize these benefits. To address this challenge, we have assembled three distinguished lecturers, who will puncture the exceptionalism balloon. The symposium will close with a moderated panel discussion to discuss how we move forward.