Victor Penchaszade, MD, MSPH,  Graduate Program in Genetics, Human Rights and Society, Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero, Buenos Aires, Argentina

During the bloody Argentine dictatorship of 1976-1983, the military “disappeared” 30,000 persons, including hundreds of pregnant women who were kept in captivity during pregnancy and killed after delivery, their babies being handed over to persons linked to the regime. The seminar will address the ethical, legal and psychosocial issues involved, after return to democracy, in the utilization of genetic testing to restore the true identity of hundreds of these babies, as they became older. Topics to be discussed include the key role of genetics, the localization and identification of the children, the consideration of their best interests, the value of truth, the rights of biological relatives, and the legal duty of the state under international human rights law to investigate crimes against humanity, punish perpetrators and provide reparation to the victims.

To register for this session, please email:  Janee.Frankel@nyspi.columbia.edu.

Seminar on Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Genetics

Center for Research on Ethical/Legal/Social Implications of Psychiatric, Neurologic & Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center

September 21, 2020, 12:00-1:00 pm Eastern time