Center Launches New Project on Neuroethics
On November 5-6, a select group of Christian leaders grappling with emerging ethical issues in the neurosciences gathered together from around the nation at CBHD headquarters in Bannockburn, Illinois. The purpose of the gathering was a consultation to chart the course for cutting-edge research bringing Christian perspectives to bear on a host of challenging issues related to the human brain. Representing such institutions as Stanford University, Mayo Clinic, and Brown University, the group convened under the leadership of CBHD Director of Biotech Ethics, Dr. William Cheshire.
CBHD President Debates Rollin, Caplan
On October 1, the national TV program “Faith Under Fire” aired a debate between Dr. John Kilner and TV news correspondent Betty Rollin on the topic of assisted suicide. Ms. Rollin focused on the claim that having the right to assisted suicide made dying people feel more secure in their dying. Dr. Kilner disagreed, noting the stauch resistance to legalizing the practice on the part of disability groups and many others who recognize that bringing killing into health care undermines people’s ability to trust health care and will create pressure for those whose lives are not “worthy,” to get out of the way and die.
On September 20, Dr. John Kilner debated the University of Pennsylvania’s Dr. Arthur Caplan on National Public Radio, broadcast live from Philadelphia. The focus was embryonic stem cell research, with Dr. Caplan supporting it and Dr. Kilner encouraging instead the alternative of adult stem cell research. Much of the discussion hinged on whether or not embryos, who must be killed to obtain embryonic stem cells, are truly (human) beings or merely “some cells.” Dr. Caplan maintained the latter, at one point claiming that they are not really even “life.” Dr. Kilner disagreed, noting that they meet standard scientific criteria for what is alive, and that they do not merely reproduce themselves, as cells do, but will develop into an entire adult human being unless they are kept from the proper environment and nurture they need. Accordingly, they should be recognized as beings at their earliest stage.
