Volume 4, Issue 2
With the rapidly expanding knowledge of human genetics comes the discovery of new and unfamiliar ethical issues, and even the rediscovery of some old and unresolved ones.
Human embryonic stem cell research promises new and effective treatments for afflictions such as Alzheimer's disease, but it also raises ethical questions about the value of embryonic human life. Human cloning also raises novel questions about the ethical significance of creating a person with the same genetic identity as an already existing person, as well as more familiar questions about the potential risks of the current state of cloning science.
These studies in human genetics present us with startling opportunities and possibilities. How should we view these opportunities and possibilities? Should we embrace them or work to control them?
To fully understand these ethical issues, we need to have a good idea about what the science is and is not capable of doing. Equally important is having a good idea about how the science will impact our values. While the state of the science may be difficult enough to understand, it can be even more challenging to fully understand these values. One way to begin is to think about how society has erred in the past. The online Eugenics Archive (www.eugenicsarchive.org/eugenics), which contains images and original essays about the American eugenics movement in the early twentieth century, was created to serve that purpose.
Beginning with George Santayana's admonition, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," the Eugenics Archive provides a vivid sense of the social prejudices and the misuse of science that characterized the movement. The archive contains images of posters from "Fitter Family Contests"; a poster about child labor with the heading "Making Human Junk"; the front page of an 1913 news article titled "The Burden of the Feebleminded"; and a copy of a family tree for Carrie Buck, whose sterilization was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1927, with the heading "The Immediate Blood-kin of Carrie Buck, Showing Illegitimacy and Hereditary Feeblemindedness."
A perusal of the Eugenics Archive will not provide answers to questions about whether human cloning should be permanently banned or enthusiastically pursued. It will, however, provide an excellent introduction to some of the deeper issues behind the questions we face today: Can we carry out and use today's genetic science in a non-discriminatory way, which early eugenicists failed to do? What are the costs of restricting people's reproductive choices? What are the costs of failing to regulate the application of technology in society?
To paraphrase Santayana, reflection on the past is one way to try to ensure a better future.
After almost a year in Iowa and at Iowa State University, I've decided to take a new position. Fortunately for me, the new position is still at ISU.
I recently accepted a new position as a lecturer in Extension and philosophy, or less formally, an Extension ethicist. In my new job opportunities, I will be developing bioethics materials and curricula for use by Extension, teaching the online bioetchics course targeted at educators, and conducting research.
The new job is very much a continuation of the work I've done at Iowa State since arriving last August as a postdoctoral fellow for ethics. I will continue to work with the USDA consortium grant that addresses economic, social, and ethical aspects of biotechnology at nine institutions in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
I hope to meet as many Extension people as possible over the next several months to introduce myself and learn more about what I can do to help them bring bioethics issues to their communities. I encourage anyone who has ideas on how I can serve their Extension needs to contact me at 515-294-7576 or khessler@iastate.edu.
[Editor's note: Hessler received her Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Arizona in 2001, shortly before arriving at Iowa State.]
Iowa Biotech Educator (May 2002)--Bioethicist Kristen Hessler provides an outline of her current and future activities in teaching and outreach: www.biotech.iastate.edu/IA_biotech_educator/May_2002.html (click on Biotechnology and Bioethics).
Bioethics Institute at University of Wisconsin--A few places are still available at the UW Institute, which is open to faculty and Extension personnel who are interested in bioethics. For more information and an application form, visit the web site at http://philosophy.wisc.edu/streiffer/bi2002.html or contact Kari Barber, Bioethics Program Secretary, 402 Catt Hall, ISU, Ames, IA 50011-1306, ph. 515-294-5400, e-mail bioethics@iastate.edu.
Research Ethics--A new section has been added to the bioethics web page. Research Ethics includes classroom resources, publications, conferences and other web links related to ethics in research. Go to www.biotech.iastate.edu/Bioethics/research_ethics.html.
Summer and Fall Bioethics-Related Courses--A list of all bioethics-related courses being offered at Iowa State over the summer and fall semesters is available online at www.biotech.iastate.edu/Bioethics/courses.html. This is not an official list, and those interested should go to www.adp.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/class to see a complete list of courses offered at the university.
The Pan American Health and Education Foundation recently announced the introduction of a new international award to recognize and stimulate excellence in the field of bioethics. The 2002 Manuel Velazco Suarez Award is intended to stimulate young scholars in the development of their capacities for bioethical analysis. The award carries a cash prize of $10,000. Award information can be found at www.paho.org/English/PAHEF/velasco.htm.
Not teaching this summer? Summer workshops and seminars can fill the weeks before classes start again in the fall. Here are some bioethics-related events held over the summer. Updates will be posted at www.biotech.iastate.edu/Bioethics/events.html.
Wednesday, May 15 - Saturday, May 18, 2002
Teaching Research Ethics Workshop. The workshop will convene at the Indiana
Memorial Union on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
Session topics will include an overview of ethical theory, using animal subjects
in research, using human subjects in clinical and non-clinical research, and
responsible data management. Many sessions will feature techniques for teaching
and assessing the responsible conduct of research.
The workshop schedule, information on travel and lodging, the registration form, and complete information on the workshop can be found on the Web at http://poynter.indiana.edu/tre.html.
For more information: Kenneth D. Pimple, Teaching Research Ethics Project Director, Poynter Center, Indiana University, 618 East Third Street, Bloomington IN 47405-3602; ph 812-855-0261; Fax 855-3315; e-mail pimple@indiana.edu.
Sunday, May 19 - Tuesday, May 21, 2002
National Agricultural Biotechnology Council annual conference: "Foods for
Health: Potential, Perspectives, and Policy." The conference is being hosted
by the University of Minnesota and will be held at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome,
Minneapolis.
The conference will present discussion on future opportunities and technologies that might unfold, given promising areas of research involving proteomics, genomics, and bioinformatics. The conference will offer an opportunity for individuals in agricultural biotechnology fields to gain insights into the epidemiology and understanding of diet-related disease and to exchange views on the potential for new collaborations and broad, inclusive discussions of technology that can enhance agriculture and human health.
For more information about the conference, send an e-mail message to the University of Minnesota at nabc2002@mail.coafes.umn.edu or visit the conference web site at http://134.84.89.124/nabc2002/.
Thursday, May 23 - Friday, May 24, 2002
Teaching animal bioethics in agricultural and veterinary higher education in
Europe. Farm animal breeding and husbandry, animal use in experimental studies,
companion animal care, wild animal management, and foods and products derived
from animals are all fields of human activity and behavior that may lead to
ethical concerns. The general public is more and more worried about these aspects,
and professionals and policy makers need to take them increasingly into account.
Despite historical and cultural differences across Europe, our common heritage
and regulations emphasize the importance of a European approach and sharing
of experience. Due to his unique role in founding ethics, his contribution to
the understanding of the animal world, and his educational involvement, Aristoteles
is the perfect symbol for a program devoted to advancement of the awareness,
knowledge and progress in animal bioethics in Europe, through higher education
institutions. More information downloadable at www.biotech.iastate.edu/Bioethics/events.html#europe_vet.
Sunday, May 26 - Friday, May 31, 2002
The University of Nebraska's Ethics Center will offer a seminar in moral theory,
professional roles, applied ethics and public policy. Its intended audience
is twelve college and university faculty from different disciplines (other than
philosophy) who want an introduction to, or a review of, ethical theory, and
who have an interest in applying this theory to their teaching, research, or
practice. Through the careful reading of classic moral theory, such as Aristotle,
Kant, and Mill, and the energetic interdisciplinary discussion of its practical
application, the seminar assists its participants in realizing the importance
of theory and interdisciplinary insight in practice, research, and teaching.
Philosophy Professor Robert Audi, with the assistance of Law Professor Stephen
Kalish, will conduct the seminar.
To apply, please send your resume, a short letter describing your interest in the seminar, and, if possible, a short sample of written work (which may be in draft) related to the work of the seminar. The Center will provide each participant with a $1,500 stipend for the week. The Center does not pay for travel. For those who do not live in Lincoln, the Center will also provide room, breakfast and some meals.
For more information, please contact Stephen E. Kalish, College of Law, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0902, e-mail: skalish1@unl.edu.
Saturday, June 1 - Friday, June 7, 2002
The Bioethics Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For life scientists
interested in discussing ethical issues with students. All life science faculty
members at the dozens of institutions across the U.S. in the National Agricultural
Biotechnology Council, and all colleges and universities in Iowa, Minnesota,
North and South Dakota, and Wisconsin are eligible. In most cases, successful
applicants receive awards to cover expenses.
For more information, contact Kari Barber at bioethics@iastate.edu, 402 Catt, ISU, Ames, IA 50011-1306, (515) 294-5400. Additional information and application forms at: http://philosophy.wisc.edu/streiffer/bi2002.html.
Monday, June 3 - Saturday, June 8, 2002
Teaching Survival Skills and Ethics: Eighth Annual Trainer-of-Trainers Conference.
Snowmass, Colorado. This conference provides faculty and administrators with
the background and materials needed to establish or improve instruction in research
ethics and in a broad range of professional skills, such as effective communication,
finding employment and funding, teaching and mentoring. The keynote speaker
at the conference is Drummond Rennie, Deputy Editor, Journal of the American
Medical Association. Travel fellowships available.
For further details on the conference, as well as an application form, please visit our website at: www.edc.gsph.pitt.edu/survival/teach.html. Sponsored by NIH.
Thursday, June 27 Thursday, July 4, 2002
The FLAD/NSF Bioethics Institute at Fundaçao Luso-Americana (FLAD) in
Lisbon, Portugal. The Bioethics Institute is designed to assist faculty in leading
discussions of ethical issues in all manner of food, agricultural, environmental,
and animal science classes. Participants learn basic methods, principles, and
pedagogical strategies in bioethics. The Institute focuses on issues surrounding
the environment, hunger, animals, development, population, global survival,
and agriculture, demonstrating the application of ethical theory to moral issues
in the nonmedical life sciences. We construe "ethical issues in the nonmedical
life sciences" broadly to include considerations such as: the relative
moral standing of individual humans, ecosystems, species, and future generations;
our duties to aid the hungry in developing countries; and the moral justifiability
of genetic engineering as a whole and the patenting of life forms in particular;
the virtues traditionally associated with family farms; our obligations to animals
used to produce food and fiber; public policies to adjudicate conflicting rights-claims
among farmers, urban consumers, and environmentalists regarding the use of water.
For more information and application forms conact Kari Barber, ISU Bioethics Program Assistant, 515-294-0054, e-mail bioethics@iastate.edu, or go to: www.biotech.iastate.edu/Bioethics/Institute/flad.html.
Published four times per year
by the ISU Office of Biotechnology
and the Bioethics Program.
To subscribe, send an e-mail to: bioethics@iastate.edu
or call 515-294-7356.
Editor: Dena Huisman
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact the Director of Affirmative Action, 318 Beardshear Hall, 515-294-7612.
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Last Update 05/23/03
