Mexico, D. F., Monday, March 9, 2009.- In the framework of the V Anniversary of the National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN), the Commission on Science and Technology of the Senate held the International Symposium: "Regulatory challenges in Genomic Medicine in Mexico". The objective of this symposium focused on identifying the ethical, legal and social challenges as consequences of the development of genomic medicine in our country and laying the framework to face them satisfactorily.
International Symposium "Regulatory challenges in Genomic Medicine in Mexico"
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Francisco Javier Castellon-Fonseca, President of the Committee on Science and Technology of the Senate; Dr. Gerardo Jimenez-Sanchez, Director General of INMEGEN; Sen. Carlos Navarrete-Ruiz, Coordinator of the PRD Parliamentary Group; Sen. Yeidckol Polevnsky Gurwitz, Vice president of the board of the Senate; Sen. Dr. Ernesto Saro, President of the Health Committee of the Senate, and Sen. Silvano Aureoles Conejo, Deputy of the PRD Parliamentary Group.
Sen. Carlos Navarrete said that the theme of genomics represents an important legislation challenge. He stated it was a great decision of lawmakers to create the INMEGEN, noting that the Senate is committed to carry out and report what it would be proposed during the Symposium, because the proper use of the information that it is generated is task of the legislators.
Sen. Carlos Navarrete Ruiz, Coordinator of the PRD Parliamentary Group
Sen. Dr. Francisco Javier Castellon stressed that science and technology for the Congress have become subjects of development and a strategy to solve the current economic crisis in Mexico. He also made a special thanks to Dr. Gerardo Jimenez for allowing the Senate to host this important event which is a space that will certainly permit Mexico to provide welfare and a better quality of life for Mexicans.
Dr. Gerardo Jimenez Sanchez thanked the support of Sen. Dr. Francisco Javier Castellon Fonseca for conduct this symposium. He also highlighted the progress of legislation on the human genome and genomic medicine in Mexico, where the participation of the legislative branch and in particular of the Commission on Science and Technology have been fundamental. He said that the sustained support of the President, Lic. Felipe Calderon; of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos, and the visionary actions of the Congress, have made that Mexico today counts with an initial legal framework for the development of genomic medicine.
Dr. Gerardo Jimenez Sanchez, Director General of INMEGEN
Dr. Gerardo Jimenez reiterated the broad recognition of the INMEGEN to the President, Lic. Felipe Calderon; expressed by Dr. Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos, for the confidence they have given to the Institute, which is a great encouragement for the INMEGEN to give greater efforts in developing such an important project for Mexico, and also recognized the Senate for their support and commitment that has contributed generously to strengthen the development of the National Institute of Genomic Medicine.
Sen. Dr. Ernesto Saro said that science is advancing rapidly, and therefore it was established the INMEGEN in 2004 because the health of our country is an important factor and our laws should provide the legal framework to open the road to genomic medicine. For her part, Sen. Yeidckol Polevnsky said that in many areas in the analysis of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Mexico is in the last place, but in genomic medicine we should be proud and show the progress we have made in this discipline.
Sen. Yeidckol Polevnsky Gurwitz, Vice president of the board of the Senate
The symposium brought together researchers, policymakers, bioethicists and lawyers around the regulation of genomic medicine. It was divided into three sessions: 1) The development of the National Institute of Genomic Medicine, led by Dr. Francisco Bolivar, Institute of Biotechnology, UNAM; 2) Ethics challenges of the genomic medicine, coordinated by Dr. Guillermo Soberon, President of the National Bioethics Commission, Ministry of Health, and 3) Opportunities to legislate on genomic medicine, coordinated by Dr. Diego Valades, Institute of Legal Research, UNAM.
It is essential to strengthen the legislative work on genomic medicine, to ensure equity of access, non-discrimination and establish the bases for the Mexican people can reap the benefits through products and services emerging of the human genome.
Last Updated Mexico City, Monday, 22 June 2009. 11:02 by Nancy Álvarez Vázquez
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