Prof. Fr. Michael Baggot, LC, Chair Research Scholar and Assistant Professor of Faculty of Bioethics, has been named a Fellow of “Medical Ethics: Transhumanism and the Body” program at the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at University of Southern California. The Institute will gather scholars in Los Angeles twice a year for two years. During the two years they will also carry out remote collaboration on research projects.
On March 23rd, 2024, Prof. Fr. Michael Baggot, LC, Research Scholar of the Chair and Professor of the Faculty of Bioethics, was one of the keynote speakers at a day conference organised by the Edinburgh chapter of the Thomistic Institute and the Albertus Institute titled “Evolution and Theism” which was held at New College of the University of Edinburgh.
Prof. Fr. Baggot presented a paper titled “Beyond Natural Selection: The Human-Driven Future of Technological Evolution”. He began his talk by presenting the various aspects of the contemporary transhumanist movement which provided participants with a comprehensive view of the subject, where he went on to highlight some of its philosophical limitations. Drawing on Thomistic thought, Prof. Fr. Baggot then emphasised the importance of virtue in discerning how to properly take advantage of the positive elements of emerging technologies and its capacity in improving our lives. Finally, he concluded his presentation by urging for a recovery of “Catholic transhumanism” which aims for a “qualitative elevation rather than a mere quantitative extension of this life”.
On March 20, 2024, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations and ADF International organized the conference “Too High a Cost: End Surrogacy Now Preventing the Exploitation and Commodification of Women and Children,” during the “68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women,” one of the UN’s major annual events at the United Nations Headquarters in NYC.
Giulia Bovassi, Chair Assistant Researcher, PhD Candidate at the Faculty of Bioethics of the Pontifical Atheneaum Regina Apostolorum (Rome), and Assistant Professor at Anhauac University, Mexico, was one of the speakers together with H.E. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, Olivia Maurel, Casablanca Declaration Spokesperson, born via surrogacy, Herveline Urcun, Observatoire de la Procréation Assistée, Bernard Garcia-Larrain, Ph.D., International Advocacy Officer, Juristes pour l’Enfance, and Giorgio Mazzoli, Director of UN Advocacy, ADF International (moderator).
Giulia Bovassi opened her talk with a fundamental question: ‘where is the mother?’ continuing with a reflection in which she brought, first of all, the problem of corporeity that, with surrogacy, becomes a biological resource available and indifferent to the person. We face a devaluation of woman that is reduced to a means of profit, a tool to achieve the best possible product as agreed upon and established. The child, from a subject of right becomes an object of right and desire, at the center of this global biobusiness. She also addressed other aspects, concluding with a reflection on the power of biotechnology and the nature of law, bringing arguments in support of the universal crime of surrogacy, the goal of the conference.
On the occasion of World Education Day the Recui- Network of Italian UNESCO Chairs organized its first General Assembly on the topics: peace education future. It was also an opportunity to present a Statement on Migration, the outcome of the work of the group dedicated to the phenomenon of migration. As UNESCO Chair, our contribution focused on Interreligious Dialogue and Human Ecology.
Bioaesthetics: for an understanding of Global Bioethics through aesthetic experience
Course presentation.
The 22nd Summer Course in Bioethics “Bioaesthetics: for an Understanding of Global Bioethics through Aesthetic Experience” will be held on July 1-5, 2024. The course will be conducted in Italian and English.
The course is organized by the Faculty of Bioethics in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights established within the Pontifical Atheneaum Regina Apostolorum and the European University of Rome.
Description
Proposing the universal values and principles of bioethics through the universal language of art seems to be an innovative and effective way to address contemporary cultures that are inclined to graphic and digital communication and emotional experiences. Once the foundation and relationship between the good and the beautiful is identified, the principles and values of global bioethics and its convergences with personalist bioethics (bioaesthetics) will be analyzed through artistic experience. The Course will lead participants to the realization of pedagogical projects for education in bioethics through artistic resources.
Course Structure
The Course aims to study the relationship and interaction between bioethics and art and the impact of art on human behavior. Bioaesthetics aims to inspire lovers of the arts to appreciate universal artistic language as a possibility for the expression of moral values and ethical principles, with respect for human dignity and human rights, in a globalized world.
The Course will enable the evaluation and dissemination of the transformative power of the arts in bioethics and its influence on culture. It will also stimulate consideration of the role of the arts in bioethics education.
Finally, the Course aims to assess the impact of the transformative power of the arts in medical research and ethics as well as environmental ethics.
At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
– Identify the foundation and relationship between ethics and aesthetics.
– Define Bioaesthetics in its relationship to global bioethics and personalist bioethics.
– Design pedagogical proposals for education in bioethics using artistic resources.
The payment is made once the student has registered and according to the instructions that will be provided by e-mail. Payment can be made by credit card, bank transfer, or at the Athenaeum desk by appointment.
Standard Fee:
ONLINE: Five sessions (5 days)
270€
ON CAMPUS: Five sessions (5 days) + 1 (ECTS) through an exam
275€
Special Category: Priests, Religious, APRA Bioethics Students, APRA Alumni, PhD in Bioethics, RIU Professors
ONLINE: Five sessions (5 days)
220€
ON CAMPUS: Five sessions (5 days) + 1 (ECTS) through an exam
225€
Scholarships
Further information: info.bioetica@upra.org
Practical Matters
The course will be conducted in Italian, with simultaneous translation into English. The summer course is one of the optional courses of the Licentiate in Bioethics and is valid for 1 ECTS for those who will participate in person and take the final exam. All participants will receive a certificate of attendance.
For other language groups, simultaneous translation will be offered if the number of students is greater than 10.
