14th Annual International Bioethics Conference
Bioethics Nexus:
The Future of Healthcare, Science, and Humanity

July 12–14, 2007
On the campus of Trinity International University
Deerfield, Illinois

5:00-6:30 pm Registration

6:45 7:10 Welcome and Introductions

7:10-7:15 Where We Have Been
                      Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni & Friends

7:15 8:15 Plenary 1 – How We Got Here: 25 Years of Bioethics Engagement
                    Nigel M. de S. Cameron, Ph.D., Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future

8:15 8:30 Break

8:30 9:45 Plenary 2 – Where We are Now: The Problem of Naturalism in Science
                     Alvin Plantinga, Ph.D., University of Notre Dame
 

8:25-8:30 Where We Are Going
                      Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni & Friends

8:30 9:45 Plenary 3 – The Future of Bioethics and the Humanities
                     Christina Bieber Lake, Ph.D., Wheaton College

9:45-10:15 Break

10:15 11:30 Plenary 4 –The Future of Bedside Care
                          Beverly Hancock, M.S., R.N., Rush University Medical Center

11:45 am 1:45 pm Lunch and Topic Specific Networking Groups

Noon-12:45 End-of-Life Group
                          Healthcare Organization and Economics Group

12:45-1:30 Reproductive Technologies Group
                        Alternative and Complementary Healthcare Group

1:45 3:00 Parallel Papers

3:00 3:30 Break

3:30-5:00 Plenary 5 – The Future Bioethics and the Law
                      O. Carter Snead, J.D., University of Notre Dame; The President’s Council on Bioethics

5:00 6:45 Dinner

7:00 pm Special Trinity Graduate School 10- Year Celebration (All conference participants are invited.)
 

8:45-8:50 am Why It Matters
                             Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni & Friends

8:50-10:00 Plenary 6 – The Future of the Human Species
                         Brent Waters, D.Phil., Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

10:00-10:30 Break

10:30-11:30 Plenary 7 – The Future of Global Bioethics
                           David Prentice, Ph.D., Family Research Council

11:45-1:45 pm Lunch and Topic-Specific Interest Groups

Noon-12:45 pm Genetics Group
                                 Neuroethics and Emerging Biotechnologies Group

12:45-1:30 Stem Cell Research and Cloning Group
                       Clinical Ethics Group

1:45 3:00 Parallel Papers

3:00-3:15 Break

3:15-4:45 Plenary 8 – The Future of Bioethics Engagement
                     C. Christopher Hook, M.D., Mayo Clinic
                     C. Ben Mitchell, Ph.D., The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity

4:45 Concluding Comments

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 9–14, 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.