Geneforum.org, Portland, OR 2000
Partners:
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Albany Democrat-Herald
The (La Grande) Observer
Newport News-Times
Geneforum.org
Because Oregon is the only state in the nation that treats an individual’s DNA as private property, its genetic privacy law is frequently under discussion and review. The project increased public knowledge of this unique law and created opportunities for public input into the ongoing discussions using a variety of tools:
- Three produced stories and five call-in shows on Oregon Public Radio.
- Seven focus groups around the state of 12-15 people each.
- A Nov. 14, 2000 town hall meeting in Portland that attracted 25 people including three state legislators.
- The creation of geneforum.org, an interactive Web site dedicated to the topic.
The Web site experienced approximately 10,000 user sessions during 2000. Some 300 of the visitors completed quizzes on their attitudes toward genetically engineered food and the use of their own tissue for genetic research.
The results, along with other citizen input, were forwarded to the Genetic Research Advisory Committee, appointed by the Oregon Legislature to make recommendations on the state’s genetic privacy law. In its final report, the committee cited the input as beneficial to its work and recommended, among its findings, that “continuing efforts be made to gather public input on genetic privacy issues, to inform and educate the public about genetic research and to promote public dialogue on these issues.”
The partners used the Pew funding to leverage additional funding from two Portland based foundations for support of the Web site and the focus group research.
Contact:
Morgan Holm
Director of News & Public Affairs
Oregon Public Broadcasting
7140 S.W. Macadam Ave.
Portland, OR 97219-3013
Phone: (503) 293-1905
Email: morgan_holm@opb.org