Bioethics expert to discuss the ethics of reproductive technology
AUSTIN, TEXAS — The University of Texas School of Law Professor John A. Robertson, a nationally recognized scholar on law and bioethical issues, will deliver one of four keynote addresses at a major Princeton conference entitled "What Does It Mean To Be Human? Religion and Bioethics," on Friday, Nov. 9. The conference is organized by Princeton University's Center for the Study of Religion.
Robertson's speech "'Dominion Over Every Living Thing' and the Ethics of Reproductive Technology," will discuss the issues, policies and challenges for cloning, genetic engineering, and other reproductive technologies.
"We asked Professor Robertson to speak because of his reputation and strength in this field, and also because he brings a unique perspective to the debate. John is willing to discuss the fundamental issues of bioethics from a legal perspective. However, he thinks like a philosopher," said Center Associate Director and Princeton Professor R. Marie Griffith.
Robertson recently spoke about the public policy concerns of human cloning at a National Academy of Sciences workshop in Washington, D.C. The Academy, an independent research organization that advises Congress on scientific matters, has established a panel of experts to study the science and ethics of cloning. At the conference he said, "The main future challenges involve respect for life and genetic selection." Robertson said that while there isn't a clear case for human cloning now, there might be in the future when the technology is safer.
Robertson is best known for his pioneering work on the legal and ethical issues surrounding the control of biomedical technology, subjects that he frequently called to testify on before Congress. He is the author of two books in bioethics — The Rights of the Critically Ill (1983) and Children of Choice: Freedom and the New Reproductive Technologies (1994), and numerous articles on reproductive rights, genetics, organ transplantation, and human experimentation. These include "Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Ethical and Legal Issues" (Nature Genetics Reviews, 2001) and "Preconception Gender Selection" (American Journal of Bioethics, 2000). In addition, he has served on or been a consultant to many national bioethics advisory bodies, and is currently the chair of the Ethics Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School.
The Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University is a major academic initiative that aims to encourage scholarly research, teaching, and public discussion about religion through the diverse perspectives of the humanities and social sciences. Its conference, "What Does It Mean To Be Human? Religion and Bioethics," will be held November 8-9, 2001, at McCosh 50 on the Princeton University Campus. The public is invited.
For additional conference information, please view the Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University's website at http://www.princeton.edu/~csrelig/.
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Professor John A.
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The Ethics of Human Cloning Debated