Titel: Technologizing humanity or humanizing technology? Bioethics toward the future

Termin: 26.6.2006 bis 7.7.2006

Veranstaltungsort:
Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University
School of Bioethics

Weitere Informationen:
http://www.upra.org/articulo.phtml?se=3&id=1652

Kurzbeschreibung: Science and technology advance at an amazing pace greater than our ability to control them. A recent UN 2005 report wonders how it would be possible to monitor the “future synergies among nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science.”

The School of Bioethics holds the position that bioethics has an important role in not only defining the limits but also in orientating technological research and its applications so that they may always respect the dignity and life of all human beings.

For this reason, from June 26 to July 7, 2006, the Fifth Annual Bioethics Summer Course will be held at the Regina Apostolorum. This year’s topic of investigation is “Technologizing humanity or humanizing technology? Bioethics toward the future”

New technologies inspire great hope but fears as well. They may be used to improve health and living conditions, but at the same time they may also transform the concept of what it means to be human. Today, the human enhancement is discussed… tomorrow we may actually encounter enhanced human beings, supermen or chimeras. In the future, there may be thinking machines which could reproduce themselves and we may attend games where bionic supermen and genetically enhanced cloned athletes compete. Future technological advances may allow us to live much longer and be freed of all sadness. We may be able to travel in virtual worlds by using chips and implanted neurons, choosing not only who to bring along but also who we want to be.

These science fiction-like possibilities are nonetheless each day becoming closer to reality. It is up to us to anticipate these questions and offer correct answers before it becomes too late. The future is now.

The course is open to anyone holding a university-level degree. The summer course has three sessions. One may participate in any one or all three. Participants are required to attend 80% of the activities and may receive a certificate of participation upon request. Full participation in any section with a passing test score is equivalent to a two-credit optional course in the Master’s Degree program. Students in the master’s and doctoral program of the School of Bioethics can take these courses free of charge.

Professors from the School of Bioethics and other international experts will discuss the issues in a classroom environment designed to incorporate the reflections and insights of participants.

Classes are given in English or Italian with simultaneous translation into English and Spanish.

Kontakt: Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum
Via degli Aldobrandeschi, 190
00163 Rome
Italy
Tel.: +39 - 06 - 66 52 78 00
Fax: +39 - 06 - 66 52 78 14
bioethics@upra.org
http://www.upra.org/

Wissenschaftliche Leitung: Fr. Joseph Tham, LC

Schlagworte: Biotechnologie, Embryonale Stammzellen, Embryonenforschung, Eugenik/Enhancement, Fortpflanzungsmedizin, Genetische Tests/Beratung, Genforschung/-technik, Hirnforschung, Klonierung, Ökologische Ethik, Patentierung, Technikethik, Xenotransplantation