Oxford University Neurosociety Conference

oxfordThe European Neuroscience and Society Network organized two days of conferences (December 7-8) at the Said Business School of Oxford University . The event was titled “Neurosociety… What is it with the brain these days?” Prof. Alberto Garcia J.D. and Prof. Joseph Tham attended the gathering on behalf of the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights.

Professors were invited from around the globe to speak and interchange views and findings on the newly developing field of neurosciences and their impact on our society, hence the neologism “neurosociety”. Some of the most prominent figures included Prof. Steve Woolgar (Oxford University), Prof. Nikolas Rose (London School of Economics), and Professors Nigel Thrift and Gemma Calvert (Warwick University).

An overlapping theme was the aparition of “neuromarketing” onto the global scene. Speakers critically analyzed the role of the human brain in the academic, financial, commercial and political environments, and reflected upon how and why the brain is of powerful consequence.

Treating neurological diseases while respecting human life: for an ethical use of stem cells

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Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum

Institute of Science and Faith

UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights

              Neurobioethica Study and Research Group

Treating neurological diseases while respecting human life:

for an ethical use of stem cells

 

 neural_stem_cell

Third Interdisciplinary Seminar of the Neurobioethica Study and Research Group

Rome, Friday December 3rd, 2010, 4.00pm – 6:30pm

Free Admission, Simultaneous Translation

Introduction
Stem cells may one day cure severe degenerative diseases of the Central Nervous System such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Huntington’s Chorea. This new therapy is known as Regenerative Medicine where old or dying cells are replaced by young ones. Stem cells have different origins, although they have the same degree of pluripotency (that is they can transform themselves from progenitor cells into differentiated cells, the latter being found in various tissues). Stem cells can be obtained from the human embryos, adult tissues and cord blood or through the process of cloning. Finally, stem cells can be obtained by the reprogramming of adult cells (iPS). There are ethical implications involved in these choices, since stem cells obtained from an embryo imply the destruction of human life.

This third interdisciplinary seminar of the Neurobioethica Consortium addresses the research, production and use of stem cells in the treatment of neurological diseases.  It aims to reaffirm the urgent need to defend and protect human life at its very early stage through an open dialogue between the empirical sciences and philosophical, ethical and juridical reflections. In addition, this seminar represents a unique opportunity to find and define new modalities for the integration of knowledge and its applications by fostering a holistic vision of the human embryo in contrast with a reductive interpretation (the embryo as “a clump of cells”) which carries with it significant ethical implications and practical consequences.

“However, new biomedical technologies which have been introduced in the critical area of human life and the family have given rise to further questions, in particular in the field of research on human embryos, the use of stem cells for therapeutic purposes, as well as in other areas of experimental medicine. These new questions require answers”. Dignitas Personae, Introduction, 2008. 

In collaboration with:

  • STOQ (Science Theology and the Ontological Quest)
  • The John Templeton Foundation
  • School of Philosophy
  • School of Bioethics

Program

16:00     Welcome and opening remarks from the President of the Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum, Prof. Pedro Barrajon, L.C.

16:15 Opening address  Maria Addolorata Mangione MD, PhD in Bioethics, Neurobioethica Study and Research Group, Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum

16:30     Stem Cells: Discovery, Classification and Application in Pharmaceutical Research and Regenerative Medicine Giovanni Gaviraghi C.E.O, Siena Biotech, S.p.A., Monte dei Paschi di Siena Foundation

17:00     Stem Cell and Restorative Therapy for CNS Disease Martin M. Bednar Executive Director and Global Clinical Lead for Neuro-Recovery/Regenerative Medicine and Alzheimer’s Disease Modification Projects, Pfizer Worldwide Development

17:30     Stem Cells: Ethical Dilemmas Gonzalo Miranda Full Professor, School of Bioethics, Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum

18:00 Vulnerable Brains, Vulnerable Cells? Human Rights and Stem Cells Research Alberto García Full Professor, School of Bioethics, Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum and Director, UNESCO Chair of Bioethics and Human Rights

18:30     Discussion, refreshments and conclusion of the workshop

 

Ateneo Pontificio Regina Apostolorum

Via degli Aldobrandeschi, 190

00163 Roma

Telephone: 06 66543854/06 66543934

Fax: 06 66527840

mastersf@upra.org