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)