Bioethics and Politics: Past, Present and Future
Friday, April 21, 2006
Center for American Progress
9:30 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.
Over the last 35 years, bioethics has evolved from an obscure academic field to one on the cutting edge of America’s consciousness. The New Frontier of the 21st Century is the human body, and as scientists have made advances in stem cell research, genetics and biotechnology, bioethicists have worked to help us understand the implications of this research for our health, our community and our conception of what it means to be human. As bioethics has entered the public realm, however, it has also become more politicized. Conservative groups have been very effective in communicating their message, not only to the American public, but also to opinion leaders and legislators. But how has bioethics evolved to this point in the current political climate? And what opportunities are there for progressives to advance a bioethics vision that is critically optimistic about the potential of science, while maintaining human dignity, equity and social justice? Join the Center for American Progress and a distinguished group of bioethicists as we discuss both the history and future of progressive bioethics.
Introduction and Welcoming Remarks
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Jonathan Moreno, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Panel I: The Emergence of Politicized Bioethics
Time: 10:15 A.M. to 11:45 A.M.
Dan Callahan, Co-Founder and Director of International Programs, The Hastings Center
John Evans, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of California, San Diego
Ruth Faden, Philip Franklin Wagley Professor of Biomedical Ethics and Executive Director of The Phoebe R. Berman Bioethics Institute, Johns Hopkins University
Eric Meslin, Director of the Center for Bioethics, Professor of Medicine, and of Medical and Molecular Genetics, and Professor of Philosophy, Indiana University
Moderated by:
John Halpin, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Luncheon Discussion with Patricia King
Time: 12:30 P.M to 1:15 P.M
Patricia King, Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Law, Medicine, Ethics, and Public Policy, Georgetown University
Introduction by:
Honorable Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
Panel II: The Future of Progressive Bioethics
Time: 1:30 P.M. to 3:15 P.M.
James Fossett, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Public Affairs, Public Policy Program, and School of Public Health, The University at Albany, State University of New York
Kathryn Hinsch, Founding Director, Women’s Bioethics Project
Glenn McGee, Founding Director, Alden March Bioethics Institute
Virginia Ashby Sharpe, Visiting Scholar in Ethics and Environmental Justice, Georgetown University
Moderated by:
Mark Lloyd, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Closing Remarks
Time: 3:15 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Jonathan Moreno, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Click Here for Panelist Biographies
Resources
Panel I: The Emergence of Politicized Bioethics Transcript
Luncheon Discussion with Patricia King Transcript
Panel II: The Future of Progressive Bioethics Transcript
Conference Materials
Video
Friday, April 21, 2006
Program: 9:30 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.
Center for American Progress
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Washington, DC 20005
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