Pre-Conference Institutes (Conference Included)

• Intensive Bioethics (July 9–14, 2007)
  A thorough orientation to the field of bioethics, comparing Christian and non-Christian perspectives.  Topics include: cultural context, competing approaches, case studies, genetic intervention, managed care, abortion, end-of-life care, assisted procreation, stem cell research, cloning, emerging technologies, and other bioethical challenges.
   
• Advanced Bioethics Institute (July 9–14, 2007)
  Considers various approaches to bioethics in greater depth, with special reference to end-of-life issues.  Approaches include: biblical revelation, rational principles, postmodern perspectives, case analysis, liberation ethics, economic analysis, and virtue ethics.
   
• Bedside Caregiving (July 9–14, 2007)
  Clinical medicine has historically emphasized the good of the patient and nonmaleficence (not doing harm) as twin goals.  These ideals are becoming increasingly difficult to balance.  This institute will address the ethical issues that most frequently arise at the patient's bedside.  You will be introduced to an ethical framework for dealing with clinical cases and have the opportunity to test this framework in the context of real medical cases.

• Pre-Med/Undergraduate Bioethics Institute (July 11–14, 2007)
  An orientation to bioethics with special interest for those considering careers in medicine or healthcare.  Topics include: healthcare practice, economics, clinical ethics, stem cell research, cloning, other emerging technologies, abortion, assisted procreation, and end-of-life decision-making.
   

• The Healthcare Provider and Conscience (July 16–18, 2007)
  In an era of increasing consumerism in medicine, the conscience of a healthcare provider is sometimes challenged by the patient's desires.  This course will highlight medical and legal cases where there has been a "clash of consciences."  Moreover, the course will include a discussion of the history of the doctrine of liberty of conscience and its application to vocations like medicine.
   
• Remaking Humanity (July 16–18, 2007)
  Current developments in biotechnology, including human genetics, human-animal hybridization, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, pharmacologicals, and robotics, portend both great benefit and tremendous challenges to a truly human future.  This course will explore these technological developments, elucidate a theory of specie-typical functioning, suggest a theological response to these developments, and analyze the ways they may affirm or erode human wellbeing.