LOCAL/STATE
The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 6, 1997 - 3A
U' lends helping hand to student parents
U genome
center gets
450K grant
-The School of Public Health is
$450,850 richer after receiving a grant
fiamr the National Center for Human
Qenome Research.
The grant is intended to support the
creation of a curriculum developed at
the School of Public Health for stu-
dents studying genetics..
This new curriculum is being
Aigned for use in any of the nation's
.public health schools.
The material will help students ana-
lyze the ethical, legal and social impli-
cations of the application of genetic
technology. Privacy issues surrounding
genetic testing will be considered, as
well as the effects genetic tests might
have on how people perceive health
issues.
"Genetics technology is revolution-
d g how we think about health;' said
1oreen Clark, dean of the School of
Public Health.
" Clark said the curriculum will com-
bine several different fields of public
health with new information on genetic
science
'U' studies women
with polio
Ohe first program in the nation
studying polio's relation to variables
such as stress will be conducted at the
University beginning in June.
The University Medical Center is
embarking on a study to determine
whether factors like stress, nutrition
and exercise can stop the progression
of polio.
Researchers assembling the
ellness for Women with Polio: A
listic Program Model" are looking
for women who have been treated for
polio to participate in this study, which
is funded by a $510,000 grant from the
National Institute of Health.
Two-hundred women are needed to
participate in the eight-week wellness
program that teaches exercise, nutri-
tion, weight management and stress
reduction.
In order to qualify for the study,
*Omen must be between the ages of 4
and65 and live in southeast Michigan
or northern Ohio.
Group to evaluate
future trends in
environment
A workshop being conducted by
*iversity scientists predicts that
cleaner efficient technologies will not
reverse current environmental trends if
natural resources continue to be deplet-
ed:
The workshop looks at psychologi-
cal, historical and political trends to
asess future directions the environ-
ment may take.
The different disciplines will be
used to chart consumption patterns
more-developed nations, with
tention to how they evolve in dif-
ferent cultures.
Researchers will then assess which
factors contribute most to consumption
patterns, and how these patterns can.
cmnge.
The School of Natural Resources
a ol Environment will administer the
vworkshop.
Workshop organizers say three major
muses of global environmental change
are population, technology and con-
sumption. Of the three, consumption
has been the least explored, the
researchers note.
The project is funded by a two-,
year grant from the MacArthur
Fnindation.
-kCompiled by Daily Staff Reporter
Marc Lightdale.
qorrection
® Student Child Care Subsidy
Program has budget of
$150K for 60-65 parents
By Heather Kamins
Daily Staff Reporter
Student parents can pick up an application today
for a new University program that provides com-
pensation for daycare expenses.
The University's Student Child Care Subsidy
Program, which was approved by the Board of
Regents in November, will provide an estimated
$150,000 a year to students with child-care
expenses.
LSA senior Rebecca Phillips, who plans to
apply for the subsidy, said she pays more for child
care for her 8-year-old son than she spends on
tuition.
"(The program) is wonderful and long overdue,"
Phillips said. "It is about time the University rec-
ognizes the needs of the students. A Michigan edu-
cation should be possible for all, and with the
astronomical cost of child care, that is not possi-
ble."
About 60-65 students will receive the grant dur-
ing the winter term.
"It will make a significant difference to those
who demonstrate the most need." said Coordinator
of the Family Care Resource Program Leslie de
Pietro, who also served on a University child-care
task force.
"We cannot begin to serve everyone who
needs it, and while we feel badly about this,
that is why it is important that we get in as
many applications as possible so that we can
show the regents the need for more funding,"
de Pietro said.
The program will be funded by the $1 student-
tuition fee increase that University students
approved last spring, along with a matching fee
from the general fund that the Board of Regents
approved in November.
Nursing School Dean Ada Sue Hinshaw, who
serves as chair of the child care task force, said the
student leadership in this program was phenome-
nal.
"It was acknowledged by the students and they
agreed to tax themselves in order to provide child
care support for those who needed it," Hinshaw
said.
Student parents of a pre-schooler pay about
$7,000 a year to send a child to a University child-
care center and even more for an infant, de Pietro
said.
"Imagine if you're a struggling student trying to
pay your tuition and child care;" de Pietro said. "It
costs more money than tuition."
The expected awards are projected to be up to
$1,000 per term for students enrolled at least part-
time, and $500 for students enrolled less than half-
time.
child-care expenses for children 12 years old or
younger, or for children with documented special
needs up to the age of 19.
Support money must be used to pay for
licensed or registered care-provider agencies.
said Margaret Rodriguez of the Office of
Financial Aid.
Hinshaw said the long-term agenda for the task
force is to examine and achieve a long-term strat-
egy to assist faculty, staff and student parents with
child care.
Michigan Student Assembly President Fiona
Rose said she is proud that University students,
approved this program that will potentially help
everyone.
"I am very grateful that the students voted for
this," Rose said. "I think that we have really shown
ourselves to be socially responsible and mature in
our decision.
"I think that the faculty and staff should take a
lesson from the students."
Students applying
for support must be paying
Contemporary Concentration
Muslim students
prepare for end
of Ramadan
By Jeff Enderton
For the Daily
As the end of Ramadan nears,
Muslim students reflect on the meaning
of the monthlong religious observance,
which includes daily fasting and prayer.
"I believe that Ramadan allows us
to feel the pangs of hunger and thirst
that so many people who are less
fortunate than ourselves feel every-
day," said Asif Harsolia, president of
discipline of the body's most
instinctive desires, Harsolia said,'
mainly those of thirst, hunger and
the sexual drive.
"Sometimes when you are hungry.
and you see people eating, you feel
the difficulty in dealing with
Ramadan, but after a few days that
becomes easier," said Mwafak
Algalaieni, who is an imam, or
Muslim holy priest, at the Ann Arbor
M u s I i m
Community
the Muslim
S t u d e n t
Association.
Ramadan
also celebrates
the prophet
Mohammed
bringing the
Muslim holy
book, the
Koran, to the
Muslim people.
began on Jan.
10 and ends
Jolly Park/Daily
Art first-year students Stephanie Clement and Ty Mattson look at contemporary Portuguese architechtecture Tuesday in
the School of Art's Slusser Gallery .
State senatorS propose bill
to li9m- it genetic i f rm to
It is a time for
spiritual, social
and economic
activities"
-- Mwafak Algalaieni
Muslim holy priest, Muslim
Community Center
Center.
The end of
Ramadan will
mark the begin-
ning -of Eid-ul-
sitr. The Eid is a
three-day cele-
bration that will
include feasts
and the
x
exchange of
gifts.
Organizers of
the Muslim
S t u d e n t
Association plan
By Jeffrey Kosseff
Daily Staff Reporter
In a time of medical breakthroughs in the field of genetics,
two state Senators are proposing legislation to safeguard indi-
viduals' privacy in that area.
Senators Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Salem Twp.) and Dianne
Byrum (D-Onondaga) will propose six bills to the state
financial services committee that prohibit health insurance
companies from discriminating against individuals based on
genetic information, prevent any party from receiving an
individual's genetic information
without permission and require
DNA samples to be discarded
after genetic testing, except in If you h
legal situations. ,
"It's something that's just com- genetic mr
ing to the attention of the govern-
ment," Byrum said. could be m,
In his State of the State addressl
last week, Gov. John Engler empoy
showed interest in investigating b
the field of genetic information.
"Scientists around the world, c
including top-notch researchers
from the U of M, are creating an - State
incredibly detailed map of our
genetic information," Engler said.
"Already, the genetic bases for
more than 4,000 diseases have been identified and new genes
are being discovered at a rate of two per week."
Although Engler plans to appoint a Governor's
Commission on Genetic Privacy and Progress, he will not
specifically support legislation on genetics.
"It would be premature to take a stance now," said Engler
spokesperson Dennis Schornack. "But privacy protection is
clearly one of the goals (of the commission)."
Some genetics experts agree that the field is rapidly devel-
oping.
"Genetics certainly does improve the ability to tell if some-
one has a predisposition to have a certain illness," said Dr.
Jerome Gorski, a University Medical School genetics profes-
sor. He also said other medical fields are progressing as
quickly as genetics.
Gorski said the legislators should focus more on prevent-
ing discrimination than on privacy.
"The concerns of the Governor and Congress are about
pre-symptomatic diagnosis," Gorski said. "What's necessary
Sunday.
The Muslim
Student
Association sponsored many events
during Ramadan, including meals
after sundown. This year, the organi-
zation held more gatherings and pro-
vided more services than in the past,
Harsolia said.
"I was very impressed with the
hard work put in by students in the
organization this year," he said. "I
believe we surpassed our original
expectations."
Others observing the holiday said
these activities help motivate students
during the month.
"We had a good turn out," said LSA
sophomore Yusef Abdul-Hai. "This is a
good way to involve people:'
Abdul-Hai said the holiday strength-
ens his religious beliefs.
"My faith has gotten stronger,"
Abdul-Hai said.
Ramadan teaches restraint and
to have a feast and entertainment to cel-
ebrate the Eid.
Muslims say a special Tarawih prayer
during Ramadan, in addition to five
other prayers said daily.
The leader of the prayer also leads
sets of eight, 12 or 20 religious bows
and reads one-thirtieth of the Koran
daily. Muslims read the Koran in its
entirety during Ramadan.
At the end of Ramadan, many
Muslims contribute to a charity collec-
tion.
A small donation is made by each
family, and the money is then donated
to local needy Muslims.
The Ann Arbor Mosque saw between
100 and 200 people a night during
Ramadan, Algalaieni said.
"It is a time for spiritual, social
and economic activities," Algalaieni
said.
lave access to
lormation, you
caking
ot decisions
suture health-
Sefator Dianne Byrum
(D-Onondaga)
is to legislate non-discrimina-
tion based on having the dis-
ease."
Byrum said that with new
genetic information technolo-
gy, businesses are capable of
discriminating based on the
information.
"If you have access to
genetic information, you
could be making employment
decisions based on future
health-care costs," Byrum
said.
Smith and Byrum said they
hope Republicans will sup-
port the bill.
"I welcome the Governor's
1220 S. University
665-7777
t
eo 36n
RESTAURANT SORS $t su
support and urge him and all of my colleagues, Democrat and
Republican, to join me in passing these bills," Smith said in a
written statement.
Although many Republicans will not commit to supporting
the bills, they will seriously consider them, said Sen. Michael
Bouchard (R-Birmingham), chair of the financial services
committee.
"This issue is very important," said Bouchard. "The issue
is certainly one worth looking at.
- t
Read the Daily
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U. S. Rep. Lynn Rivers (D-Ann Arbor) was misidentified in Monday's Daily.
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