Although the conference directors noted that the human genome represents "man's common heredity," Professor of Biology Richard C. Lewontin said that genome research is expensive and time-consuming.

"Patent laws must protect the innovator," said Lewontin.

As an example, Lewontin cited the nearly $4.5 million spent by the National Institutes of Health to find the gene for breast cancer.

"This is not an issue for philosophical debate, but for lawyers," he said.

Perfect Babies?

Speakers emphasized that it was important to discriminate between manipulations of genes that are necessary, and those that are merely preferred.

For example, aborting a fetus with a fatal genetic defect may hold different implications than absorbing one in which the "abnormal" gene is less severe, as in Down's syndrome.

"[Down's Syndrome] kids have the characteristic facial features and learn slowly, but they grow into cuddly, sweet teenagers that are a real benefit to society," said Dr. Susan Pauker, chief of medical genetics at the Harvard Community Health Plan.

"The yuppie controlling couple, however, wants perfect children and may terminate the pregnancy before getting all the information," Pauker said.

Such problems result from the lack of information and counseling in genetics, Pauker said. She noted that there are only, about 1,000 genetic counselors in the United States.

The Publicity Stigma

One reason why there is an apparent division between the scientist and the social activist is that there is a stigma attached to scientists entering the public spotlight said. xDr. Jonathan L. Beckwith, American Cancer Society researches professor of microbiology and molecular genetics at Harvard Medical School.

Beckwith described how one scientist who had won a Nobel prize in genetics heard derogatory comments from his peers because of his involvement's with television programming.

Beckwith said scientists ridiculed him for having an "ego-trip" and even said "he was not qualified enough in his field and so switched to another."

"Issues of social responsibility are invading the sciences," said Beck with, "Scientists feel they must choose between science and being active in social issues."

But the students don't seem discouraged.

"The questions here are complex and very hard to take a stance on, but with all thing enthusiasm nothing seems beyond our capabilities," said Wieselquist.