ANN ARBOR—All over Ann Arbor, people of all ages, occupations and educational backgrounds soon will be reading “Abraham Lincoln’s DNA and Other Adventures in Genetics,” by Philip R. Reilly.

That’s the goal of Ann Arbor Reads, a project designed to get all Ann Arbor area residents reading the same book at the same time, focusing on ethical issues posed by advances in the life sciences.

“Reilly does a very good job of raising the ethical questions in a way that is accessible to people,” said Richard Lempert, director of the U-M Life Sciences, Values and Society Program. “It’s also something you could read and discuss in chunks. The discussion portion is important, because we’re trying to make this a ‘community talks’ as well as a ‘community reads.’” A book selection committee, comprised of community members from schools, religious institutions, businesses and the University, chose the book, a collection of interrelated essays about advances in the life sciences, at a meeting Monday night. Lempert chaired that meeting.

Participants in Ann Arbor Reads will be able to buy the book at local bookstores or check it out of the library beginning in December. They can read the book and contemplate it on their own or join discussion groups and attend lectures on topics the book addresses. The University of Michigan Life Sciences, Values and Society Program, in partnership with Shaman Drum Bookstore, the Ann Arbor District Library and the Ann Arbor News, is organizing the Ann Arbor Reads effort.

In conducting a community read, Ann Arbor will join about 100 cities from across the country that have undertaken similar projects. East Lansing is currently reading Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451.” The Values and Society Program is seeking community partners interested in organizing events during the official Ann Arbor Reads period, January-March 2003. Information about Ann Arbor Reads is available on the project’s Web site: www.aareads.org. Information about other Reads is available at: www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/one-book.html. Members of the Ann Arbor Reads Blue Ribbon Committee include U-M President Mary Sue Coleman, Ann Arbor Mayor John Mayor Hieftje, Ann Arbor Police Chief Daniel Oates, David Canter, Pfizer senior vice president and director, Ann Arbor Laboratories; Rossi Ray-Taylor, superintendent of Ann Arbor Public Schools; and David Sharp, publisher of The Ann Arbor News. Those interested in sponsoring the program or planning events can contact project coordinator Aaron Goldenberg at aareads@umich.edu, (734) 936-2575. The program also is seeking sponsors to help provide books for schools and libraries. Donations can be made online at www.lifesciences.umich.edu/values.

Related Links:

• www.aareads.org
• www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/one-book.html
• aareads@umich.edu
• www.lifesciences.umich.edu/values