October 21, 2004

Biotechnology conference Oct. 22-23; Stem cells are the topic of discussion

A conference on biotechnology and its implications for health care, titled “Playing God or Playing Politics? How Stem Cells Came to the Convention Floor,” will be held from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 22) at the Daniel Hale Williams Auditorium on the Chicago campus.

Day Two of the conference will be held from 9:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 23) at Hardin Hall on the Evanston campus.

Among the issues to be discussed are: Limits, if any, that should be applied to stem cell research; handling disagreements over the human embryo’s moral status; and whether theological ethics contribute to understanding of biotechnologies.

Participating in the discussions will be Northwestern’s Laurie Zoloth, director of bioethics at the Center for Genetic Medicine and professor of medical ethics and humanities and of religion; and John Kessler, M.D., Benjamin and Virginia T. Boshes Professor of Neurology and chair of the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences.

Other Northwestern speakers will include Tod Chambers, associate professor of medical humanities and bioethics and assistant professor of medicine; Joel Frader, M.D., professor of pediatrics; Mark Sheldon, lecturer in philosophy; and Cristina Traina, associate professor of religion.