Journalist Lizzie Stark to Speak About Her Book 'Pandora's DNA'

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"Pandora's DNA – Tracing the Breast Cancer Genes Through History, Science, and One Family Tree" by Lizzie Stark

Would you cut out your healthy breasts and ovaries if you thought it might save your life? This is a very possible real question for women who are carriers of BRCS breast cancer genetic mutations.

Journalist Lizzie Stark will be on the University of Arkansas campus Wednesday, Oct. 8, to discuss her book “Pandora’s DNA – Tracing the Breast Cancer Genes Through History, Science, and One Family Tree,” published by the Chicago Press Review.

According to the Chicago Press Review “In Pandora's DNA, Stark uses her family's experience to frame a larger story about the so-called breast cancer genes, exploring the morass of legal quandaries, scientific developments, medical breakthroughs, and ethical concerns that surround the BRCA mutations, from the troubling history of prophylactic surgery and the storied origins of the boob job to the landmark lawsuit against Myriad Genetics, which held patents on the BRCA genes every human carries in their body until the Supreme Court overturned them in 2013. Although a genetic test for cancer risk may sound like the height of scientific development, the treatment remains crude and barbaric. Through her own experience, Stark shows what it's like to live in a brave new world where gazing into a crystal ball of genetics has many unintended consequences.”

Stark will speak at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, in room 108-109 of the Human Environmental Sciences Building. The event, titled "Inside Pandora's DNA: A Talk with Author Lizzie Stark,” is sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, the Pat Walker Health Center, Family Studies in the School of Human Environmental Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Honors Program, and the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this program is part of the activities surrounding raising women’s health awareness. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use social media and the hashtag #PinkHogs to promote this event and other women’s health information and events occurring during October.

Those unable to attend the discussion have an opportunity the night before the campus event when Stark will speak at Nightbird Books on Dickson Street at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Stark is the author of Leaving Mundania and a freelance journalist who has written for io9.com, The Today Show website, Psychology Today, the Daily Beast, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. She holds a Master of Science in new media journalism from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.