BLACKSBURG, VA., FEB. 19, 1999--Can humans redesign themselves? What are the qualities that define us as humans, and is it desirable--or acceptable--to change them? Are there limits to what should be attempted? How do we decide?
The Choices and Challenges Project will present a public forum on Reinventing the Human Thursday, March 25, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Donaldson Brown Hotel and Conference Center on the Virginia Tech campus. The program will offer social, political, economic, and ethical perspectives to help the community make decisions now that will affect life in the future. All programs are open to public at no charge. Registration is recommended (although not required).
The recent media focus on cloning of animals has alerted the general public to the rapid pace of work now taking place in human genetic and reproductive technologies. New genetic-engineering procedures now permit human genes to be identified and transferred. Researchers are developing these procedures to cure disorders and correct serious childhood health problems. But the techniques could also be used, before birth or during infancy, to endow otherwise healthy children with traits they would not otherwise possess or to enhance the ones they do have. The possibilities go beyond changing physical appearance such as height and build and might include intelligence, athletic skills, personality, and behavior.
How do these recent advances in genetic engineering impact our ethical and social decisions concerning the "reinventing" of children? Is it ethical to create the "perfect" baby through genetic technology, and who decides what "perfect" means?
The forum is divided into three parts: morning discussion sessions providing background information; a main panel session featuring eminent presenters from the fields of political science, medical ethics, philosophy, history, and child development; and afternoon sessions offering further discussion on issues of public policy. Sessions include such topics as "Cloning and Public Policy," "Genetic Explorations in Science Fiction," "Feminist Debates and Dilemmas," "Religious Perspectives," and "Patterns of Child Development."
The main session, to be held 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., will include panelists Robert F. Murray Jr., author of Genetic Variation and Disorders in Peoples of African Origin; Diane B. Paul, author of Controlling Human Heredity and The Politics of Heredity; Gail S. Ross, chief psychologist for several children's programs at New York Hospital; Anita Silvers, author of Disability, Difference, Discrimination; and LeRoy B. Walters, author of The Ethics of Human Gene Therapy.
The PBS Adult Learning Satellite Service will broadcast an edited version of the main panel session nationally. An online web-based discussion group will provide the opportunity for the community to debate the issues and submit questions in advance of the forum. The group can be found at URL http://www.cis.vt.edu/choices&challenges.
The Choices and Challenges project is a public outreach program that explores the social and ethical dimensions of science and technology. Topics covered range from genetic engineering to computer network technologies to the use of environmental resources. The project offers unique programming that encourages dialogue among professional and lay members of the university and regional communities. Videotapes, audiotapes, and transcripts of many previous forums are available.
Program brochures, which include a pre-registration form, can be obtained by calling the Donaldson Brown Center at 540-231-5182 or by contacting the Choices and Challenges project office at 254 Lane Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0227; calling 540-231-6476; or sending e-mail to: choices@vt.edu. Interested persons also may visit the website (http://www.cis.vt.edu/choices&challenges).
This Choices and Challenges forum is an outreach service of Virginia Tech. Additional support has been provided by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy.
PR CONTACT:
Sally Harris
540-231-6759
slharris@vt.edu
The project is directed by Doris T. Zallen and coordinated by Kirsten Worley. For more information, contact the Choices and Challenges Project Center for Interdisciplinary Studies: 540-231-6476 or choices@vt.edu
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