Keystone Policy Center Unveils Agenda for CRISPRcon Midwest

Building off its recent flagship event in the Netherlands, CRISPRcon: Conversations on Science, Society & the Future of Gene Editing will host its first regional event this fall to bring diverse voices together to discuss societal considerations for the future of CRISPR and other gene editing technologies.

CRISPRcon Midwest will be at the University of Wisconsin–Madison on October 8. The forum will feature an exciting and thought-provoking lineup of panel discussions, keynotes, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities. Join us to explore critical questions about patents and ownership; genomic difference and health disparities; agriculture and sustainability; the role of scientists in public debate; and more.

Noted author and pop-culture critic Chuck Klosterman will give a keynote address.

Klosterman is the best-selling author of eight nonfiction books (most notably “Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs” and “But What If We’re Wrong?”) and three works of fiction (most recently the short story collection “Raised in Captivity”). He has written for the Washington Post, The New York Times, SPIN, Esquire, GQ, The Guardian, The Believer, Billboard, The Onion’s A.V. Club, and ESPN, and he served as The Ethicist for The New York Times Magazine for three years. A native of North Dakota, he currently lives in Portland with his wife and two kids.

Other confirmed speakers include farmers, social scientists, environmentalists, ethicists, indigenous advocates, patient advocates, gene editing researchers, religious scholars, business leaders, policy experts, human rights experts, and more.

Registration is now open at CRISPRcon.org with more speaker information and program details to be added in the coming weeks.

CRISPRcon is a program of the Keystone Policy Center, which is committed to independently managing CRISPRcon’s development in service to its mission. This event will be hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is being developed in partnership with the university and the CRISPRcon Advisory Council.