On November 12, 2010, The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity sponsored a briefing on Capitol Hill entitled “Post Election Analysis: What is on the Horizon for Bioethics?” Designed as an informational update for Capitol Hill staff and other Washington policy experts, the lunch briefing featured presentations by Richard Doerflinger, the associate director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Dr. David Prentice, Senior Fellow for Life Sciences at the Family Research Council. Mr. Doerflinger and Dr. Prentice both have a long history of being on the frontlines of bioethics policy in Washington, D.C.
From Mr. Doerflinger, attendees heard a detailed history of the federal government’s involvement in embryonic stem cell research, dating from early in the Clinton administration, and an assessment of the legislative outlook for the various bills that would enshrine in law federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Mr. Doerflinger also discussed the stem cell lawsuit that is currently moving through the courts. The plaintiffs in Sherley v. Sebelius allege that the Obama administration’s executive order expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research violates federal law as stated in the Dickey-Wicker amendment. As Mr. Doerflinger pointed out, amendment author Senator Roger Wicker has testified in congressional hearings that the clear intent of the amendment was to prevent federal funding for any kind of embryo research, including embryonic stem cell research. A ruling in this lawsuit is expected early in 2011, although many expect it to be eventually appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Dr. Prentice gave a scientific summary of a wide range of biotechnologies currently in development, including human cloning and synthetic biology. Many of these raise serious ethical concerns, yet remain unregulated at the federal level. In a political environment that has been dominated by concerns about the economy, Mr. Doerflinger and Dr. Prentice underscored the continued relevance of thoughtful, forward-looking bioethics policy.
For several of the Capitol Hill staff who attended, the event served as an introduction to CBHD. We hope to cultivate long-term relationships with these staff, the Members of Congress they represent, and other stakeholders on Capitol Hill so that the deep educational resources of CBHD will inform policy debates in Congress. This briefing is part of a series of events based in Washington, D.C. that will continue to educate policymakers on issues of bioethics and human dignity well in advance of their consideration in Congress.
