ToxicoGenomica recently hosted the Perrin Conference on Genomic Analysis in Tort Cases. The virtual event took place on May 26, 2021.

In coming posts, we will be offering the slides for download for each of the six panels. Please make sure you are subscribed to our blog to be notified when the next set has been posted.

The conference featured six panels with a variety of distinguished genomic litigation experts and jury trial consulting experts, including Dr. Len van Zyl, Ph.D., Kirk Hartley, Esq., and David H. Schwartz, Ph.D. Panelists provided examples and learnings from their experience working on different types of legal actions in which genomic data and analyses have been used. The panelists and litigation consulting experts also provided insights on the power of using genomic data and scientific principles to explain why a particular person presented with injuries (i.e., phenotypes) that cannot be explained by “black box” epidemiology alone.

An overview of the conference panels is provided below:

• Panel 1 will address the use of genomics in product liability and/or premises cases involving exposures to toxicants, including asbestos, benzene and radiation. 
• Panel 2 will address cases involving issues such as birth defects, medical malpractice and individual variability in the metabolism of drugs and chemicals. 
• Panel 3 will explain the big picture of the processes and methods involved in using genomic analysis in actual cases. 
• Panel 4 will present example of “environmental cases” in which genomic analyses have been used to provide objective evidence to trace sources of exposure and dispersal, and will briefly touch on uses of genomic analyses for cancer cluster cases. 
• Panel 5 will focus on communicating genomic issues to juries and judges; among other things, jury consulting experts will provide some thoughts on communicating the messages. 
• Panel 6 will focus on use of genomics in “high value” settings, including a further focus on cancer cluster cases and medical monitoring cases, with some discussion of some of the draft statutes that are pending regarding PFAS and other chemicals. 

The conference was very well received by attendees, and here is some of the feedback that was provided:

• “Didn’t expect it to be this good.”

• “Excellent presentations by skilled and knowledgeable individuals.”

• “Great program and speakers! Very well organized, too.”

• “Outstanding conference as a whole! Thank you.”

• “I have been a trial lawyer for 50 years and this series has opened my eyes to the benefits of becoming more familiar with Genomics and how to simply use in court.”

Complete the form below to download a copy of the conference agenda and stay tuned for coming posts for copies of the panel slides. Please make sure you are subscribed to our blog to be notified when the next set has been posted.