For Immediate Release
Two Online Events in March Explore Genetics, Ancestry
LINCOLN, Neb. (Feb. 23, 2021) – Join NET, Nebraska’s PBS & NPR Stations, to explore the latest developments in genetic medicine and what creates identity during two virtual events in March.
Using excerpts from the recent documentary by Ken Burns, “The Gene: An Intimate History,” and season 7 of Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s acclaimed series, “Finding Your Roots,” participants will learn to demystify the science behind genetics and ancestry in this online discussion series.
4 p.m. CT, Tuesday, March 9, “Genetic Medicine and You”
Join this online discussion to learn more about the latest developments in genetic medicine and research as seen in “The Gene: An Intimate History,” including therapies and personalized medicine. To learn more about this Facebook Live event, visit netNebraska.org/genetics.
Panelists include:
-- Robin Bowman, professional development associate, Personal Genetics Education Project (pgEd)
-- Chris Durrance, director, “The Gene: An Intimate History”
-- Dr. Maurice Godfrey, professor, Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (moderator)
-- Dr. Lois Starr, clinical geneticist and associate professor of pediatrics, Munroe-Meyer Institute at UNMC
4 p.m. CT, Thursday, March 18, “Is DNA Ancestry? Personal Genetics and Cultural Heritage”
Join this online discussion to explore and learn more about ancestry as seen in “Finding Your Roots.” Learn how ancestry testing works and discuss the differences between genetic ancestry and cultural heritage. While free, registration is required for this event at netNebraska.org/genetics.
Panelists include:
-- Dr. Carla Easter, chief of the Education and Community Involvement Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute
-- Dr. Kenneth Ramos, executive director, Texas A&M Institute of Biosciences and Technology and assistant vice chancellor for health affairs, Texas A&M University System
-- Dr. Dennis Smith (Fort Peck Assiniboine), associate professor, history and Native American Studies, University of Nebraska Omaha
-- Dana Waring, co-founder and education director, Personal Genetics Education Project (pgEd) (moderator)
For more information about these free events and educational resources, visit netNebraska.org/genetics.
Production funding for Ken Burns presents “The Gene: An Intimate History” has been provided by Genentech, 23andMe, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Gray Foundation, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) & Conquer Cancer Foundation, Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation, Craig and Susan McCaw Foundation, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Outreach and Education Partner is National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute. Outreach support is provided by Foundation Medicine.
Corporate support for “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. Season Seven” is provided by Ancestry and Johnson & Johnson. Support is also provided by Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, The Carnegie Corporation of New York, Candace King Weir, The Zegar Family Foundation, Lloyd Carney Foundation, and by The Inkwell Society and its members Felicia A. and Benjamin A. Horowitz Fund; Demond Martin; Sheryl Sandberg and Tom Bernthal; Jim and Susan Swartz; Anne Wojcicki; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; Fletcher and Benaree Wiley; Gwen and Peter Norton; and Darnell Armstrong and Nicole Commissiong. Major support is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Sandi Karstens, 402-470-6578, skarstens@netNebraska.org
NET, Nebraska’s PBS & NPR Stations, is the statewide public media service dedicated to creating opportunities for Nebraskans to engage with critical issues, compelling stories and quality entertainment. NET serves each of Nebraska’s 93 counties with 52,560 hours of programming each year on four television and two radio channels, plus online and mobile content. In addition to providing free, high-quality educational programming for children, NET provides programming in the arts, award-winning news and current affairs information and emergency alert services. For more information about NET, visit netNebraska.org.
About “The Gene: An Intimate History”
Ken Burns presents “The Gene: An Intimate History” is a two-part, four-hour limited series, managed and co-produced by WETA, and developed with Ken Burns, Barak Goodman and Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the book upon which the documentary is based.
The series uses science, social history and personal stories to weave together a historical biography of the human genome while also exploring the stunning breakthroughs in understanding the impact genes play on heredity, disease and behavior. From the story of the remarkable achievements of the earliest gene hunters and the bitterly fought race to read the entire human genome, to the unparalleled ethical challenges of gene editing, the documentary is a journey through key genetics discoveries that are some of the greatest achievements in the history of science. In addition to the production, there will be a publicity, social media, and community engagement campaign, as well as the development of educational materials.
About “Finding Your Roots”
“Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. Season Seven” episodes will broadcast throughout Winter/Spring2021 and will continue to feature exciting new guests who are game-changers in their fields, with family histories that illustrate the power and diversity of the human experience. Among them are actors Glenn Close, John Lithgow, Jane Lynch, Audra McDonald, Christopher Meloni and Tony Shalhoub; acclaimed musicians Clint Black, Rosanne Cash and Pharrell Williams; groundbreaking directors Kasi Lemmons and John Waters; renowned journalists Gretchen Carlson and Nina Totenberg; hilarious comedians Lewis Black and Jim Gaffigan; popular late night personality Andy Cohen; and more to be announced.
Assembling the extensive family trees and family narratives alongside Dr. Gates are DNA expert CeCe Moore (Founder, The DNA Detective and host of ABC’s The Genetic Detective), and new lead genealogist Nick Sheedy, who carries on the work of founding series genealogist Johni Cerny (Founder, Lineages), who unfortunately passed away in early 2020.