Activities, discussion groups planned for Ann Arbor Reads




Updated 6:00 PM December 09, 2002
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Activities, discussion groups planned for Ann Arbor Reads

By Michelle Bolek
Life Science Values and Society Program

Ann Arbor Reads, a campaign to encourage everyone in town to read and talk about the same book, will kick off with a celebration at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum Jan. 21.

The effort is modeled after similar programs in more than 100 cities across the country, but is unique in focusing on contemporary ethical issues posed by the life sciences—"Abraham Lincoln's DNA and Other Adventures in Genetics" by Philip Reilly is this year's selection.

Ann Arbor Reads concludes with a free public event March 6 at the Ann Arbor District Library. Reilly will speak and autograph books at both the kickoff and the closing.

The Jan. 21 event starts at 7:30 p.m. Books will be given away to the first 50 people who RSVP and attend. President Mary Sue Coleman will be on hand to introduce the author.

Those who would like to put together a reading group or other event are encouraged to e-mail aareads@umich.edu for assistance in organizing. To help discussion moderators, including graduate student instructors, a book discussion guide will be available in January, and three training sessions will be offered. Register for a training session at http://www.aareads.org.

Faculty also are encouraged to discuss the book with their students. Book chapters can be included in coursepacks through standard arrangements with local copy centers. The publisher, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, will waive all copying royalty fees to reduce copying costs.

Life Science Values and Society Program (LSVSP) Director Richard Lempert says this book is well suited for the classroom. " 'Abraham Lincoln's DNA and Other Adventures in Genetics' is particularly relevant to the University community because it touches on so many ethical issues in the life sciences. Many different disciplines can talk about sections of the book that are relevant to their courses," Lempert says.

The book is made up of 24 chapters organized into six sections:

• History: Using DNA to Understand the Past

• Justice: The DNA Revolution in the Courts

• Behavior: Do Genes Make Us the Way We Are?

• Plants and Animals: Genetic Engineering and
Nature · Diseases: The Genetic Revolution in Medicine

• Dilemmas: Genetic Technologies and Individual
Choice

Discounted copies of the book are available at Shaman Drum Bookshop, Nicola's Books, Borders and Barnes and Noble, and bulk copies are available in all local branches of the public library. Copies are on reserve under "LSVSP" at the following U-M locations: University Library, Taubman Library, Science Library and the Media Union Reserve Desk.

For more information, contact Aaron Goldenberg, coordinator of Ann Arbor Reads at LSVSP, at (734) 936-2575 or aareads@umich.edu, or visit http://www.aareads.org

Ann Arbor Reads is coordinated by LSVSP, in partnership with the Shaman Drum Bookstore, the Ann Arbor District Library, Pfizer, the Ann Arbor News and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. It is sponsored by LSVSP, in conjunction with the Ann Arbor District Library, the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, Shaman Drum Bookshop, Pfizer, the Ann Arbor News and the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.

Training sessions are planned for those interested in leading discussion groups. Sessions are free but RSVP is required at aareads@umich.edu.

Jan. 15 (register by Jan. 13)
7-8:30 p.m.
Ann Arbor District Library Main Branch
Muehlig Room, Lower Level

Jan. 23 (register by Jan. 21)
4-6 p.m.
Michigan Union
Anderson D, Ponds ABC

Feb. 5 (register by Feb. 3)
7-8:30 p.m.
Ann Arbor District Library Main Branch
Multi-Purpose Room, Lower Level

Activities, discussion groups planned for Ann Arbor Reads

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