Conference History

The Conference on Bioethical Issues was started in 1995 as a joint enterprise of Mount Vernon Nazarene College and Cedarville College. The original idea was by Dr. Paul Madtes (Mount Vernon) and Dr. Sue Justice (Cedarville). At present, the conference alternates between the two institutions (now universities).

The Conference on Bioethical Issues is one of the few undergraduate meetings in the United States that focuses on such issues from a Christian perspective. It includes a combination of keynote presentations, small group discussions, question and answer sessions, and poster sessions, all designed to help students think through the ethical implications of modern medical and biological technologies.

Past Speakers:

• 1995: Arnold Hyndman, Professor of Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
• 1996: Donal O'Mathuna, Professor, Mount Carmel School of Nursing, Columbus, OH
• 1997: Francis Beckwith, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Culture, and Law, Trinity University (Deerfield, IL), California Campus
• 1998: Scott Rae, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Ethics, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La MIrada, CA
• 1999: John Kilner, President, Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Bannockburn, IL
• 2000: Dennis Hollinger, Vice Provost and College Pastor, Messiah College, Grantham, PA
• 2001: Kerby Anderson, President, Probe Ministries International, Richardson, TX
• 2002: Paige Cunningham, Senior Fellow, Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity, Bannockburn, IL
• 2003: Christopher Hook, Director of Ethics Education, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine
• 2004: J.P. Moreland, Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, CA
• 2005: Robert D. Orr, MD,CM, Director of Ethics, Fletcher Allen Health Care / UVM College of Medicine, Burlington, VT