Event Description
From its beginnings over 35 years ago, when it was first tested in a clinical trial, gene therapy has been treated as a novel technology that posed exceptional risks but also the potential of exceptional benefits. The promise of gene therapy as a broadly-applicable, successful medical treatment for previously incurable diseases is now beginning to materialize. However, many today are unaware of, or incompletely informed about an event that had a seismic impact on the trajectory of gene therapy - the death of Jesse Gelsinger.
This session will reflect on the events leading up to Jesse Gelsinger’s death and the complicated ethical legacy of his death on gene therapy and human subjects research more generally. Situating this event in its historical context, the session will examine its far-reaching impacts on research governance and review, informed consent, and bioethics in the US and globally.
Event Information:
Free and open to the public; registration required. For more information, please visit the event webpage.
Hosted by the Center for ELSI Resources and Analysis at Columbia University as part of the ELSI Friday Forum series.
