Public interest in DNA and genomic research has surged in recent years, with everyone from armchair detectives advocating for its use in solving criminal cold cases to medical researchers seeking innovative gene-editing therapies to combat cancer.
With genomic science advancing so rapidly, can laws and policies keep pace?
That’s one of the topics that Johanna Rahnasto will discuss in her April 3 presentation titled “Genomic Data, Law, and Ethics: Balancing Innovation and Risk.” The 11 a.m. presentation is virtual, and is co-hosted by the School of Business and the UConn Institute for Systems Genomics. Registration is available at: https://businesslaw.business.uconn.edu/equitynow/ and the event is open to the public.
“Most people care deeply about both privacy and innovation, and striking the right balance requires understanding what genomic data can realistically reveal, evaluating what kind of uses are ethically acceptable, and building legal frameworks that are flexible enough to support innovative uses, but protective enough to maintain people’s trust,’’ she said.
Rahnasto is an attorney and senior associate in intellectual property and data protection and regulatory matters with expertise in the life sciences, pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. She works at Roschier, one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the Nordic region. She is based in Helsinki.
With Master of Law degrees from both Harvard Law School and a Finnish university, and a master’s degree in genetics and molecular biosciences, she combines legal expertise with a strong scientific background. She will discuss why data identifiability, data sensitivity, and risk management standards must be built across disciplines.
“Generally, genomic science moves quickly and regulation moves slowly, so in a way there is always a gap in what has been taken into account in drafting the currently applicable regulations,’’ she said. “Sometimes, the laws have even been drafted with incomplete understanding of the then-current science, so that may create an additional mismatch between science, law, and ethics.’’
Rahnasto speaks at UConn as part of the Equity Now Speaker Series, which features expert insights on how law and policy can promote ethics and fairness in society.
“I met Johanna through our mutual interest in Fulbright scholarships in Finland,” said business law professor Robert Bird, who organizes the series. “I quickly recognized her valuable expertise and its importance to both genomic sciences and social responsibility.”
The speaker series is produced by the School of Business in coordination with the Academy of Legal Studies in Business, Virginia Tech, Indiana University and Temple University.
