Matthew Eppinette, MBA, PhD, is Executive Director of The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity (CBHD). Dr. Eppinette has two decades of experience in the field of bioethics, including serving CBHD previously, from 2002-2007.
He holds a PhD in Theology with concentrations in Christian Ethics and Theology & Culture from the Center for Advanced Theological Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he also earned an MA in Theology. He is a 2004 graduate of the MA Bioethics program at Trinity International University, and he has an MBA with concentrations in Quantitative Analysis and Information Systems from Louisiana Tech University. His undergraduate degree is in Business Management and Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport.
As an MBA student, Matthew worked on research in the areas of diffusion of innovation and expert systems. He then worked in information technology in the wholesale sporting goods and pharmaceutical industries before returning to graduate school to study bioethics.
In his first tenure at CBHD, he served in a variety of capacities including Director of Research & Analysis and Assistant Director. From CBHD, he joined Americans United for Life as Director of Communications. When he moved to California to attend Fuller, Matthew joined the Center for Bioethics and Culture (CBC) where he served as New Media Manager and Executive Director from 2009-2018.
During his time at the CBC, he co-wrote and co-produced six documentary films addressing bioethics issues. Three of the films were Official Film Festival Selections, and one was awarded Best Documentary at the California Independent Film Festival.
Dr. Eppinette’s current research interests include transhumanism, Alasdair MacIntyre’s ethics and epistemology, and the intersection of fiction, film, and other areas of culture, particularly popular culture, that raise or address bioethics issues.
Matthew and his wife Ginger currently reside in suburban Chicago.
Publications
- Donal P. O'Mathuna, Bryan A. Just, Wilson Jeremiah, and F. Matthew Eppinette, Bioethics in Real Life: Lessons We're Learning from COVID-19 (Deerfield, IL: The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity, 2022).
- Matthew Eppinette, “Review: Michael S. Burdett, Eschatology and the Technological Future,” Themelios, Vol. 42, No. 1 (April 2017): 193-195.
- Matthew Eppinette, “Future Tech: Ethical Issues in the Pipeline,” in Defending Life 2009, Proven Strategies for a Pro-Life America, eds. Denise Burke et al. (Chicago: Americans United for Life, 2009).
- Joe Carter and Matthew Eppinette, “Blogging and Bioethics,” in The New Media Frontier: Blogging, Vlogging, and Podcasting for Christ, eds. John Mark N. Reynolds and Roger N. Overton (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008).
- Matthew Eppinette and Terence Armentano, “Beginner’s Toolbox Part II: Even Newer New Media—Podcasting, Video Casting, and More,” in The New Media Frontier: Blogging, Vlogging, and Podcasting for Christ, eds. John Mark N. Reynolds and Roger N. Overton (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008).
- Matthew Eppinette, “Human 2.0: Transhumanism as a Cultural Trend,” in Everyday Theology: How to Read Texts and Interpret Trends, eds. Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Charles A. Anderson, and Michael J. Sleasman (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007).
- Matthew Eppinette and Andrew Fergusson, “Human Dignity: Still Defying Devaluation” (Guest Commentary), Ethics & Medicine: An International Journal of Bioethics 22, no. 1 (Spring 2006):5-7.
- Matt Eppinette, Anthony Inman, and Roger Pick, “Expert Systems and the Implementation of Quality Customer Service,” Industrial Management and Data Systems, 2, 1997.
Films
- Producer, additional camera, and marketing lead, #BigFertility (2018), a documentary on the ethics of domestic and transnational commercial surrogacy. Distributed via Amazon Prime Direct and Vimeo.
- Co-Writer, Producer, all production (camera, lighting, sound), all postproduction (editing, color correction, sound design, etc.), and marketing lead, Compassion and Choice DENIED (2016), a documentary short about a woman suffering a terminal illness who was denied insurance coverage for life-sustaining treatment. Distributed at no charge via Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo.
- Co-Writer, Producer, all production, all postproduction, and marketing lead, Maggie’s Story (2015), a documentary short on a woman who donated her eggs ten times. Distributed via Amazon Prime Direct and Vimeo.
- Co-Writer, Second Unit Director, Producer, and marketing lead, Breeders: A Subclass of Women? (2014), documentary on the ethics of surrogacy. Distributed via Amazon Prime Direct and Vimeo.
- Associate Producer, Co-writer, and marketing lead, Anonymous Father’s Day (2011), documentary dealing with the ethics and effects of donor conception. Official Selection, 2012 Rome International Film Festival (Rome, GA) and Official Selection, 2012 California Independent Film Festival (Orinda, CA). Distributed via Amazon Prime Direct and Vimeo.
- Co-Writer, Eggsploitation (2010, 2013), documentary on the ethics of human egg donation in the fertility industry. Awarded Best Documentary at the 2011 California Independent Film Festival (Orinda, CA). Distribution via The Orchard, Amazon Prime Direct, and Vimeo.
