Center for Law and the Biosciences

Overview

The Center for Law and the Biosciences, directed by Professor Hank Greely, examines biotech discoveries in the context of the law, weighing their impact on society and the law's role in shaping that impact. The Center is part of the Stanford Program in Law, Science & Technology.

Situated in the locus of the world's biotechnology industry, within a preeminent research university, the Center convenes a forum of academicians, lawyers, scientists, policy makers, and law students. Through conferences, workshops, lectures, and academic courses, the Center promotes research and public discourse on the ethical, legal, scientific, economic, and social implications of accelerated technological change.

For law students, the Center strengthens the already significant advantages of studying at Stanford with a curriculum that combines legal theory with practical applications in biotechnology. Past course offerings have included: "Biotechnology Law and Policy," "Health Law and Policy," "Genetics and Law," and a course on nanotechnology called "Ideas v. Matter: The Law in Tiny Spaces." In addition, the school offers a full complement of courses in legal areas relevant to bioscience, such as intellectual property, constitutional law, corporate law, and administrative law. Many of our courses involve other Stanford departments, and most integrate multidisciplinary materials.

Beyond the classroom, the Center also provides access to a broad spectrum of practitioners, regulators, and academicians throughout the biotech industry, as well as to hands-on involvement in research and collaborative dialogues.

Our students engage in a wide array of extracurricular activities, and can participate in two cutting edge student organizations. "BioLaw," a new student organization devoted to law and the biosciences, works with the Center to sponsor regular seminars and conferences, and to publish "SNPs," a newsletter about developments in law and the biosciences. The "Stanford Law and Technology Association," with a broader emphasis on both information and life science technologies, also holds regular events and publishes the "Stanford Technology Law Review."

Stanford Law School graduates pursue a variety of distinguished careers in the life-sciences field. Our alumni currently hold leadership positions within biotech companies, federal and state agencies, the White House, major corporations, law firms with strong life-science practices, and academia.

External Resources

Government Resources

Academic Resources

Non-Government Organizations and Industry Watchdogs

Corporate Resources

Directories

Fellowship

Stanford Law School invites applications for the 2008-2009 Fellowship Program at the Center for Law and the Biosciences.

The Center

The Center for Law and the Biosciences, directed by Professor Hank Greely, examines bioscience discoveries in the context of the law, weighing their impact on society and the law's role in shaping that impact. The Center is part of the Stanford Program in Law, Science & Technology.

Located in the center of the world's biotechnology industry, within a preeminent research university, the Center convenes a forum of academicians, lawyers, scientists, policy makers, and law students. Through conferences, workshops, lectures, and academic courses, the Center promotes research and public discourse on the ethical, legal, scientific, economic, and social implications of accelerated technological change in the life sciences.

The Fellowship

The Center for Law and the Biosciences Fellowship is a one or two-year, residential fellowship designed to offer scholars interested in issues at the intersection of law, biomedical science, ethics, intellectual property, and policy an opportunity to conduct research and participate in the dynamic environment of Stanford Law School. Special topics of interest to the Center include neuroscience, genetics, biotechnology, and stem cell research; however all research topics broadly related to law and the biosciences are invited. The Fellows are encouraged to dedicate 90% of their time to pursuing their proposed research project, while spending 10% of their time on other Center activities, including the annual conference, the CLB speaker series and the CLB journal club. Fellows are encouraged to attend weekly faculty lunch seminars and participate in activities with the growing number of law school fellows to learn more about the legal scholars and research at Stanford. Fellows will be provided with office space, a competitive stipend, and a generous benefits package.

The Applicants

Applicants should have a JD or other doctoral level degree (MD, PhD) in a relevant area. The Center particularly welcomes applications from individuals interested in pursuing careers in legal academia.

The Application Process

Applicants should submit the following to Angela Lawton (alawton@stanford.edu) by October 27, 2007 at 5:00 PM PST:

  • a CV
  • contact information for three references
  • a writing sample
  • a research proposal (in 2000 words or less)

Applicants must also apply online via the Stanford jobs website at jobs.stanford.edu (reference job number 26596). Candidates will be selected on the basis of their academic merit and the intellectual contribution of their research proposal. Acceptance decisions will be made by December 1, 2007.

News & Announcements

Faculty

John H. Barton
George E. Osborne Professor of Law, Emeritus
650 723.2691
Henry T. "Hank" Greely
Deane F. and Kate Edelman Johnson Professor of Law
650 723.2517
Mark A. Lemley
William H. Neukom Professor of Law
650 723.4605
Lawrence Lessig
Professor of Law and John A. Wilson Distinguished Faculty Scholar
650 736.0999

Fellows

Teneille Brown
Stanford Law School Fellow
650 725.4027
Emily R. Murphy
Stanford Law School Fellow
650 724.9903
Brenda M. Simon
Stanford Law School Fellow
650 721.5592

Program Contacts

Henry T. "Hank" Greely
Director
650 723.2517

Events

SIGNAL: Stanford Interdisciplinary Group in Neuroscience And Law
September 22, 2008 from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Formerly known at the "Neuroscience, Law, and Society Interest Group," the newly-named SIGNAL will meet monthly to discuss collaborations, works in progress, and recent findings at the intersection of neuroscience and law. Please contact Emily Murphy (ermurphy@stanford.edu) to be added to the mailing list. Graduate, law, and post-doctoral students are invited.

CLB Journal Club
October 2, 2008 from 12:45 pm - 2:00 pm

The Center for Law and the Biosciences will host a student-run journal club, and lunch is served! A student or fellow will present a recent case or scholarly paper for discussion.

CLB Journal Club
October 16, 2008 from 12:45 pm - 2:00 pm

The Center for Law and the Biosciences will host a student-run journal club, and lunch is served! A student or fellow will present a recent case or scholarly paper for discussion.

CLB Speaker Series: John Monahan
October 20, 2008 from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

The "leading thinker on the issue" of violence risk assessment (as cited in Barefoot v. Estelle), UVA Law Professor John Monahan will speak on "Danger and Disorder: Controlling Violence by People with Mental Illness."

CLB Journal Club
October 30, 2008 from 12:45 pm - 2:00 pm

The Center for Law and the Biosciences will host a student-run journal club, and lunch is served! A student or fellow will present a recent case or scholarly paper for discussion.

Consumer Genomics Law and Policy: Panel Discussion
November 10, 2008 from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

With a credit card and a saliva sample, consumers can now unlock the secrets carried in their DNA. Consumer genomics offers direct access to one's genetic code, plus interpretations of health risks, family lineage, opportunities for social networking, and more. But how should consumer genomics be regulated? Join us for a panel discussion with leaders at the forefront of consumer genomics, media commentators, and policy makers.

CLB Journal Club
November 11, 2008 from 12:45 pm - 2:00 pm

The Center for Law and the Biosciences will host a student-run journal club, and lunch is served! A student or fellow will present a recent case or scholarly paper for discussion.

CLB Journal Club
December 2, 2008 from 12:45 pm - 2:00 pm

The Center for Law and the Biosciences will host a student-run journal club, and lunch is served! A student or fellow will present a recent case or scholarly paper for discussion.

Neuroimaging, Pain, and the Law
December 4, 2008 from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

The Center for Law and the Biosciences will host a day-long, interdisciplinary conference on Neuroimaging, Pain, and the Law. Leading researchers in their respective fields will discuss the current state of the science, the applicability of the science to the law, and the scope of the legal issues and potential impact.

Recorded & Past Events

April 2008

February 2008

January 2008

December 2007

November 2007

October 2007

September 2007

July 2007

May 2007

April 2007

March 2007

February 2007

January 2007

November 2006

October 2006

September 2006

August 2006

Contact Information

Center for Law and the Biosciences
Crown Quadrangle
559 Nathan Abbott Way
Stanford, CA 94305-8610

Related Links

Related SLS Links