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Deidre Malone
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Ethical Symposium Tackles Today's Most Difficult Medical-Ethical Questions Fourth session focuses on the role religion has in medical-ethical debate.
May 27, 1999, Memphis, Tenn. -- New genetic and medical technology has given the medical profession immense power to ease human suffering by altering the human blueprint - our genes. Yet, many argue that science has crossed the line and is interfering with the design of a higher being. This week, the country's leading legal and theological experts together with top cancer researchers will convene to lend their perspective to this age-old debate.
They'll discuss this and other moral, ethical, religious and scientific questions at the "Ethical Boundaries in Cancer Genetics" symposium hosted by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee on May 26-29. The fourth plenary session, "Theological Perspectives On Cancer Genetics and Gene Therapy" will be held at the Memphis Marriott-Downtown Hotel on Friday, May 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
"People have a lot of questions about what role religion plays in genetic testing and therapy and the fact that St. Jude is taking a hard look at the theological perspective really shows their mission and what kind of organization they are," said Thomas A. Shannon, Ph.D., Professor of Religion and Social Ethics in the Department of Humanities and Arts at Worchester Polytechnic Institute in Worchester, MA.
"Life as people know it is changing so fast - they want to be certain values are enhanced, not compromised by science," said Shannon, who is also serving as the moderator of the conference's fourth plenary session."
Experts in this session include:
* James Walter, Ph.D., Loyola University of Chicago -- discussing the Roman Catholic perspective on the ethics of cancer genetics
* Karen Lebacqz, Ph.D., Pacific School of Religion -- discussing the Protestant perspective on the ethics of cancer genetics
* Laurie Zoloth, Ph.D., San Francisco State University -- discussing the Orthodox Jewish perspective on the ethics of cancer genetics
* Abdulaziz Sachedina, Ph.D., University of Virginia -- discussing the Islamic perspective on the ethics of cancer genetics
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas. The hospital is an internationally recognized biomedical research center dedicated to finding cures for catastrophic diseases of childhood. The hospital's work is supported through funds raised by the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC). All St. Jude Hospital patients are treated regardless of their ability to pay. ALSAC covers all costs of treatment beyond those reimbursed by third party insurers, and total costs for families who have no insurance.
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