October 30 and 31, 2003: The Ninth Annual Conference on Bioethical Issues
(Co-sponsored by Cedarville University and Mount Vernon Nazarene University)
This year's conference was held on the campus of Cedarville University, and looked at the ethical limits of transforming human beings through nanotechnology, genetics, and the machine-human interface.
Keynote speaker: Christopher Hook, MD (Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minnesota)
Thursday, October 30, 2003
10:00 Chapel: "A Posthuman Future?"
7:30 Public Session: "The History of Eugenics and Its Implications for the Genetic Era"
Friday, October 31, 2003
9:00 a.m. Keynote Address I: "The Technology and Ethics of Nanotechnology: Hope and Caution"
4:00 p.m. Keynote Address II: "Neurotechnology, Neuroethics and The Human Person"
The day also included small group discussions on various topics, including: Assisted Procreation, End-of-Life Decisions, Environmental Toxins, Genetic Intervention, Human Stem Cell Treatments, Animal Rights v. Human Rights, and Stewardship of Biological Diversity. There was an afternoon poster session, with posters designed by the participants to highlight the issues discussed.
102 registrants were involved, including 84 students from the two institutions and 18 faculty and health care professionals.
