May 15, 2000

Special report, Who Owns Your Genes, on growing wariness among patients over supplying tissue for genetic research unless they share in profits earned by laboratories from subsequent patent awards; many are demanding money up front and are writing contracts spelling out what they are entitled to if they help scientists find genes; some experts on patent law say trend is unfortunate, while others say current system of awarding gene patents seems unjust; others attribute problem to fact that rules of game regarding medical research have changed since virtually all academic research now involves commercial interest; say many patients remain willing to engage in genetic research for good of humanity, but believe they should share in windfall if researchers on other side subsequently make billions of dollars from their efforts; photos (M)

New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani confronts array of conflicting advice from divided group of aides as he nears final decision over whether to remain in US Senate race; is struggling to unravel tangled medical, political and personal considerations with help from campaign advisers and personal friends more concerned about effects of decision on their financial, political and career interests; aides say swirl of conflicting pressures has rendered him almost unable to take any advice at face value, adding new level of complexity to already difficult situation; unexpected deluge of difficulties, in combination with what has emerged as once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity for so many in his circle, has caused unusually pitched atmosphere of mistrust among those around him; photo (M)

Several shareholder proposals will challenge dominance of Maurice R Greenberg, chief executive, when American International Group holds its annual meeting on May 17; challenges are not expected to prevail, because of company's profitability, but experts in corporate governance say shareholder demands that AIG create more independent board underscore gap between AIG's management structure and prevailing practices at most American corporations; Greenberg has been allowed to designate his son, Evan, as his successor, even though family does not control company; American International's 18-member board has only 6 truly independent directors; remainder are AIG executives or consultants; in contrast, more than 90 percent of American corporations have boards with majority of independent directors; photo; graph (M)

George Vecsey Sports of The Times column discusses play of New York Knickerbockers guard Charlie Ward in victory over Miami Heat in fourth game of Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series (M)

New York State Governor George E Pataki has become one of most visible pitchmen on airwaves, starring in no fewer than five television advertising campaigns paid for by state agencies under his control, for causes from children's health care to energy conservation at total cost to taxpayers of about $20 million; Democrats and government reform groups charge that they are nothing more than veiled political campaign at government expense; photo (M)

Paul Griffiths reviews Brooklyn Philharmonic's presentation of three scenes from Messiaen's opera, St Francois d'Assise, at Brooklyn Academy of Music; soloists are David Wilson-Johnson and Heidi Grant; conductor is Robert Spano; photo (M)

Hundreds of thousands mothers and other gun control advocates participate in Million Mom March on nation's capital and in several cities on Mother's Day, demanding sensible gun laws, mourning loss of children to gun violence and vowing to transform politics of gun control; speakers at National Mall include many who have lost loved ones to gun violence; they assail National Rifle Assn and its power over Congress; First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is among marchers; scene at Mall described; Pres Clinton greets some of marchers at White House; urges them to keep fighting; rally is denounced by National Rifle Assn vice president Wayne LaPierre as assault on Second Amendment and out of step with American public; says its organizers are allied with Democrats; small counter-demonstration is held by Second Amendment Sisters, comprised of women who oppose new gun laws; Donna Dees-Thomases, brainchild of Million Mom rally, comments; photos (M)

New Jersey Devils defeat Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1, in first game of National Hockey League Eastern Conference championship series; photo (M)

Metropolitian Museum of Art opens its Iris and B Gerald Cantor Roof Garden for season with new installation, David Smith on the Roof; photo; National Gallery of Art mounts exhibit of work by High Renaissance painter Raphael Santi; photo; PEN American Center literary awards to be presented at Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center; William H Gass, author of Reading Rilke, to receive PEN/Nabokov Award; Schuyler G Chapin, commissioner of cultural affairs for New York City, will be honored at New York Pops gala at Carnegie Hall; William Warfield and Sally Ann Howes are among scheduled performers at concert (M)

Festival of concerts, readings, exhibitions, screenings and open studios and symposiums is being scheduled to honor 100th anniversary of decision to turn 55-room mansion in Saratoga Springs, NY, into artists' retreat known as Yaddo; more than 5,500 writers, composers and visual artists have stayed there for periods of two weeks to two months over the years; festival will begin Apr 15 and run until October; photos (M)

New York Knickerbockers defeat Miami Heat, 91-83; tie Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series, 2-2; photo (M)

The Federal Reserve, taking advantage of stable prices and increases in productivity spurred by technology, has given the economy more or less free rein since 1995. But there are tentative but worrisome signs that inflation is emerging from hibernation.