Jonathan Moreno and Andrew Light Speak About Biotechnology and Global Warming
at the National Press Club
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Appignani Bioethics Center,
a project of the American Humanist Association, held a panel discussion today
at the National Press Club to examine controversial emerging technologies in
biomedical sciences and climate change. The topics were framed by Jonathan
Moreno and Andrew Light, both of the Center for American Progress, who
considered the issues from ethical and political angles.
A video of the event will be made available here later today:
www.youtube.com/humanistvision .
The panelists argued that debates around these controversial technologies have
become increasingly politicized--highlighting fundamental differences between
basic moral convictions, world-views, and political assumptions, which makes
finding common ground an almost impossible task.
One such illustrative case is that of Terri Schiavo, which Jonathan Moreno
commented on in a statement to the Appignani Bioethics Center: "Neurologists
who study cases of vegetative states like those of Terri Schiavo have come to
identify them as permanently vegetative," said Moreno. "'Right to life'
advocates insist upon more and more medical tests and interventions, thus
exploiting a private family matter for political advantage. Legally (and in my
opinion morally), it will still be up to the patient or their appointed agent
to decide about treatment, despite disagreements among family members." At the
panel, Moreno spoke about the history and politics of bioethics, and noted
that as science has advanced, concerns about the implications for traditional
values have deepened. He went on to illustrate how those concerns have played
out in the political debate.
Andrew Light spoke about the science, politics and ethics of climate change,
and noted that the subject is particularly timely due to a scheduled
early-December meeting in Copenhagen that will bring together countries around
the globe to consider ways to curb CO2. Light argued that success at the
meeting would be an agreement on the architecture--one that will bring
developed and undeveloped countries together to work on the issue in a way
that ethically accounts for the differing needs and responsibilities of all
parties. He went on to call on the United States to take steps to curb CO2 by
reducing deforestation, developing renewable energy sources, increasing energy
efficiency, and cutting carbon emissions--steps which Light projected would
save the United States a net of 14 billion dollars.
Jonathan Moreno, Ph.D., is a senior fellow at the Center for American
Progress, a David and Lyn Silfen University professor of ethics, a professor
of medical ethics and of history and sociology of science at the University of
Pennsylvania and formerly a member of President Barack Obama's transition team
for the Department of Health and Human Services. Andrew Light, Ph.D., is a
senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and director of the Center
for Global Ethics at George Mason University. The panel was moderated by Ana
Lita, Ph.D., the director of the Appignani Bioethics Center at the United
Nations in New York City.
The Appignani Bioethics Center (ABC), a project of the American Humanist
Association, helps inform local, state, national and international policy
debates about global issues in medical and biotechnological sciences through
collaboration with NGOs and UN departments, bodies and agencies. The Center
provides educational venues and opportunities for confronting various issues
facing developed and developing world countries. www.humanistbioethics.org.
The American Humanist Association (www.americanhumanist.org) advocates for the
rights and viewpoints of humanists. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in
Washington, D.C., its work is extended through more than 100 local chapters
and affiliates across the United States.
Humanism is the idea that you can be good without a belief in God.
CONTACT: Ana Lita of American Humanist Association, +1-212-687-3324,
alita@americanhumanist.org
SOURCE American Humanist Association
Ana Lita of American Humanist Association, +1-212-687-3324,
alita@americanhumanist.org
