Human dignity, once a cornerstone for bioethics, is increasingly obscured by a contemporary culture of commodification. Myopic fixation on sexuality, fertility, and reproduction reduces the female body to a resource for medical exploitation and reproductive tourism. Procreation is being engulfed by the reproductive imperative and the child of choice. Without neglecting the ongoing emphases on beginning- and end-of-life issues, our task must include attention to prenatal discrimination, the neglect of the girl child, worldwide disparities in women’s healthcare and maternal mortality, and the objectification and exploitation of the female body. Responsible Christian bioethics embraces her dignity as essential to her community and foundational to our common humanity. Join us as we explore important ethical considerations surrounding developments in reproductive practices and global women’s health through the lens of reclaiming dignity in a culture of commodification.

Proposals are now being accepted for the upcoming CBHD summer conference, Reclaiming Dignity in a Culture of Commodification. Listed below are confirmed topics and suggestions for possible presentations:

• Women’s dignity, bioethics, and cultural analysis
• Women’s health in light of family and community health
• Developments in reproductive technology and disparities in women’s health
• Infertility and the child of choice 

All serious proposals relevant to the study of bioethics are welcome, particularly those in the area of biolaw, nursing ethics, clinical ethics, and theological engagement. To be considered for presentation, contributed papers and posters must be submitted as abstracts 250-300 words along with a CV/resume. 

1. All contributed papers and posters must be submitted as abstracts 250-300 words. At the end of the abstract please include the list of materials to be drawn upon. All serious proposals relevant to the study of bioethics are welcome.
2. A CV or resume must be submitted along with the abstract
3. In order to present a paper or poster, participants must register for the conference by June 15, 2012.
4. Deadline For All Abstracts: All abstracts must be submitted via mail or email to The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity, attn: Jennifer McVey, 2065 Half Day Road, Deerfield, IL 60015 or jmcvey@cbhd.org  prior to March 1, 2012.

1. Oral Presentations of contributed papers will be 20-25 minutes plus 5 minutes for discussion. 

1. Poster presentations will be displayed in a prominent area at the conference to maximize their impact. The advantage of a poster is that conference attendees will be able to view them over an extended period of time.
2. You must adhere your poster to a 32” x 40” foam core board. Supplies to display the poster will be supplied at the poster site.
3. Make sure posters are readable from at least 5 feet away.
4. A session will be provided during the conference for poster contributors to present their work.