The American Society of Human Genetics hosts 58th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia

World's top genetic scientists present latest discoveries at ASHG 58th Annual Meeting, Nov. 11-15, 2008

BETHESDA, MD – October 7, 2008 – The world's top scientists and clinicians in the human genetics field will gather in Philadelphia to present their latest research findings at the 58th Annual Meeting of The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) from Tuesday, November 11, through Saturday, November 15, 2008, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Founded in 1948, ASHG is the primary professional membership organization for human genetics specialists worldwide, representing nearly 8,000 researchers, academicians, clinicians, genetic counselors, nurses and others with a special interest in this area. The Society's Annual Meeting is the world's largest gathering of human genetics professionals and a forum for renowned experts in the field.

With more than 286 platform and plenary presentations, 2,329 posters, 26 invited sessions and special symposia, and four press briefing events (two of which will be webcast live to the media), the 2008 ASHG Annual Meeting will provide journalists with a rich resource of new information about cutting-edge developments in human genetics and genomics research. In addition, nearly 250 U.S. and international exhibitors will offer an unprecedented opportunity to view the latest advances in genetics-related products and services derived, in part, from work presented at previous ASHG meetings.

PRESS BRIEFING SESSIONS

ASHG has planned four press briefing events that will be held in the Pennsylvania Convention Center during the week of the Society's 58th Annual Meeting. For the first time, the Society will be webcasting two of this year's press briefing sessions live, allowing credentialed members of the media who are unable to attend the ASHG 2008 meeting to view the sessions in real time by linking to live online webcasts.

If you cannot attend this year's Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, but still wish to receive embargoed press releases from ASHG and/or register to view the live webcast(s) of either of the Society's two press briefing events scheduled for Thursday, November 13, 2008 (see details below), please e-mail your request to Kristen Long at , and remember to include your contact information.

The press briefing sessions at the ASHG 2008 meeting will feature presentations from prominent experts in the field on a diverse range of "hot" topics and issues in human genetics, including the following:

Wednesday, November 12, 2008:

• "Advancing Our Understanding of Genetic Disease: New Findings from Genome-Wide Association Studies" will highlight a selection of the most interesting and exciting GWAS abstracts presented at the ASHG 2008 Meeting. This session will feature a panel of top scientists in the field discussing their novel GWAS findings that help advance our understanding of the many different genetic variants associated with common complex genetic diseases, including autism, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Thursday, November 13, 2008: (WEBCAST SESSIONS)