Genetic and Reproductive Health Attorney Nanette Elster Named Director of Health Law Institute at DePaul University College of Law

March 28th Program Will Discuss Voluntary Gamete Donor Registry

Attorney and bioethicist Nanette R. Elster has been named director of the Health Law Institue at the DePaul University College of Law. Elster, a noted expert on genetic and reproductive health as well as the legal issues raised by assisted reproduction and public health, will assume leadership of the institute immediately.

The institute will sponsor its first program under Elster’s leadership at 9 a.m. on March 28 at the University Club of Chicago, 76 E. Monroe. St., Michigan Room. The day-long seminar, “Tracking Change: The Feasibility of a Voluntary Gamete Donor Registry in the United Sates,” will explore the legal and ethical issues raised by collecting, storing and/or disclosing information about sperm, egg and embryo donors participating in collaborative reproductive arrangements. It is illustrative of one of the institute’s goals, which is to provide a forum where critical health law issues can be discussed in a multidisciplinary manner.

“The Health Law Institute at DePaul takes a leading role in fostering understanding of important legal questions raised when the areas of law, medicine and public policy intersect,” said Glen Weissenberger, dean of the College of Law. “Professor Elster’s extensive background in the legal and ethical issues related to genetic and reproductive health as well as public health will help the College of Law continue to advance discussions about critical health law-related concerns of the day and to offer students the highest quality training.”

Elster holds a law degree from Loyola University Chicago and a master’s degree in public health from Boston University School of Public Health. She brings to the job an extensive background in biomedical ethics, the legal and ethical issues related to women’s and children’s health, public health and assisted reproductive technologies. She is recognized nationally and internationally as an expert on issues of genetic and reproductive health and frequently writes and presents on the topics.

Elster joined DePaul’s law faculty in 2004 as an adjunct professor after serving on faculty at numerous institutions, including the schools of medicine at the University of Louisville and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She currently is also vice president of Spence and Elster, P.C., a Chicago-based firm focused on infertility law, is on the board of directors of the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders, and is a member of the American Bar Association’s coordinating group on bioethics and the law. Her commitment to issues in reproductive law was bolstered by her personal struggle with infertility—she became a single mother through sperm donation.

“I am inspired by the opportunity to lend my experience to advancing the great work being done by the institute,” said Elster. “There is no question that there is a vital need for careful analysis, debate and discussion about health law issues that impact our society and the public’s health. It is an honor to direct the health law institute at DePaul and help it continue to serve as a key resource for offering perspective on and solutions to challenging legal, ethical and policy concerns in health law.”

The institute’s first program under Elster’s direction, “Tracking Change,” will touch on a topic that is close to Elster—ethical issues raised by reproductive medicine. The event will bring together legal, medical, public health, mental health and policy experts to discuss issues associated with establishing a national registry to track gamete (sperm and egg) donors. It also will explore how the interests of all involved—child, donor, intended parents, health care professional and society—can be balanced in a national registry system. The cost of the event is between $200 and $250 depending on whether or not participants seek continuing legal education credit. For more information, contact Reha-Alexis Banks at 312/362-7271 or rbanks2@depaul.edu; or register by e-mail at: http://www.law.depaul.edu/centers_institutes/health_law/tracking_registration.asp.

“As medicine continues to expand reproductive options, numerous questions involving the physical and emotional well-being and privacy of all participants, especially the resultant offspring, are raised,” said Elster. “This program will examine some of the legal, ethical and social benefits and barriers of developing and implementing a registry with a particular focus on legal policy considerations.”

Established in 1984, DePaul’s Health Law Institute is consistently ranked among the best in the nation by U.S.News & World Report. In addition to its policy reform and advocacy work, it provides students with an extensive curriculum in health care regulation, policy and ethics.

Note to Editors—Reporters wishing to cover the March 28 “Tracking Change” program should contact Valerie Phillips at 312/362-5039 or 312/330-3155 (cell). Nanette Elster can be reached at 312/362-5236.