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Bioethics retreat to explore stem cell research
While
Iowa State students are relaxing away from the books during semester break,
a group of ISU faculty will be hard at work discussing ethics.
On Thursday Jan. 10, 2002, the Gateway Center will be the site of a debate
on the ethical issues associated with the use of stem cells in research.
"The topic is particularly timely," said Gary
Comstock, professor of philosophy
and religious studies and coordinator of the ISU Bioethics
Program. "Just recently a company, Advanced Cell Technology, claimed
to have cloned an embryo in an experiment it said would lead to treatments
for diseases such as Parkinson's and child diabetes. The company's announcement,
however, was met with condemnation by politicians and religious organizations.
Whereas many scientists believe that research in this area is valuable, they
are responsive to the concerns of the public."
The keynote speaker will be Robert Streiffer, a nationally recognized teacher
of ethics. His research interests are in ethical theory, political philosophy,
and applied ethics, with a focus on ethical issues arising from modern biotechnology,
especially modern agricultural biotechnology.
His new book, Moral Relativism and Reasons for Action, is forthcoming from
Routledge. Streiffer also works with a group of Iowa State faculty on a USDA
grant to expand and enrich the discussion of the ethical dimensions of ag
biotech.
The retreat will also feature two Iowa State faculty including Don
Sakaguchi, associate professor of zoology
and genetics. His current research focuses on stem cell transplants as
a strategy for CNS rescue and repair. He will discuss the ethical dimensions
of his research on stem cells.
Adah Leshem-Ackerman, adjunct instructor of zoology and genetics, teaches
introductory life science courses (human anatomy and physiology) designed
for non-life science undergraduate majors. After attending the International
Bioethics Institute in Lisbon, Portugal (summer, 2001), she wrote a case study
on ethics and stem cells, and will present it at the retreat.
"The retreat is an occasion for us to explore the issue in some depth,"
Comstock said. "We know that many people want to be involved in this
debate about scientific ethics, and the faculty are very interested in helping
our students to think through the issues comprehensively and objectively.
The retreat is sponsored by the Bioethics Program in the College
of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Additional sponsors include the Plant Sciences
Institute and Office of Biotechnology.