The Ethics & Theology of Synthetic Gametes

 

Academy of Fellows Consultation

Saturday, November 3rd, 2012
10am to 5:30pm
Trinity International University
Kantzer Hall - KANT 141

Should we be able to create synthetic sperm and eggs for reproductive purposes? Will children born from such procedures be at elevated risk for biological and/or sociological problems? Explore cutting-edge ethical and theological questions surrounding the development of novel procedures in the artificial creation of human gametes.

Some themes examined:

  • The scientific and ethical issues surrounding the use of stem cells and maternal spindle transfer. 
  • The theological foundations for and implications of creating synthetic gametes for reproduction.
  • Understanding the ethical and theological role of gametes in procreation as a basis for engaging a broad range of bioethical issues in reproductive technology and ethics.

 

SCHEDULE

All times are Central Daylight Time (CDT)

10:00 – 10:10am  

Welcome and Presentation of the Consultation

 

10:10 – 10:30am

Screening of IN VITRO.

 

10:30 – 11:00am  

Why Do Most Parents Want Children ‘Of Their Own’? 

Calum MacKellar, PhD

11:20 – 11:50am  

The Theology Relating to Donor Insemination in the Roman Catholic Church

David A. Jones, DPhil

11:50am -12:30pm

The Philosophical and Theological Role and Meaning of Gametes

C. Ben Mitchell, PhD

2:00 – 2:40pm

Discussion of the Theological and Ethical Points of Creating Gametes from Stem Cells

Brent Waters, DPhil

2:40 – 3:20pm       

Discussion of the Theological and Ethical Issues Relating to

  1. Pronuclear Transfer and
  2.  Maternal Spindle Transfer

Trevor Stammers, MB BS, FRCGP

3:20 – 4:00pm       

Discussion of the Theological and Ethical Issues Relating to

  1. Cytoplasmic Transfer and
  2. Blastomere Nuclear Transfer

Agneta Sutton, PhD

4:20 – 5:15pm

Panel Discussion

 

 

 

 

 

 

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