Bioethics in the City - A Mini Ethics Symposium

This is the fourth installment of our Bioethics in the City series, an interactive event, which showcases local academics and researchers working in bioethics, who address ethical issues arising from the theory or practice of the life sciences.


The three Dalhousie researchers featured at this event, recently presented this work at the Feminist Approaches to Bioethics International Congress held at Rotterdam, Netherlands in June 2012. In addition to the three presentations, the researchers welcome your comments and questions.

Françoise Baylis, Canada Research Chair in Bioethics & Philosophy – Ethically Sound Research Involving Pregnant Women

Kirstin Borgerson, Assistant Professor of Philosophy – Beyond Exclusion in Clinical Design Trial

Erin Fredericks, Interdisciplinary PhD Candidate – “What’s the Alternative? You Die?” Imagining Oneself in the Context of Breast Cancer Social Movements

2:00 to 3:30 pm Thursday August 30, 2012


Room 1130, Marion McCain Building, 6135 University Avenue, Dalhousie University

Promoting Mental Health: Challenges for Psychiatry and Neuroscience

7:00 pm Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Weldon Law Building, Room 104

6061 University Avenue

Novel Tech Ethics and CIHR presents:

Jacqueline Sullivan, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Many scientists now believe that mental health disorders are simply brain-based problems. Effectively treating persons with mental health disorders, then, just requires the use of pharmaceuticals to eliminate these problems. However, many scientists also acknowledge that pharmaceuticals currently on the market are not effective in enabling persons with mental health disorders to lead “normal” lives—to hold down jobs and establish and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. These same scientists assume that if they can locate those brain areas that underlie those learning and memory processes relevant for leading a “normal” life, they will be able to develop pharmaceuticals that selectively restore normal function in these brain areas and thus enable persons with mental health disorders to lead “normal” lives. Professor Sullivan will challenge these assumptions and offer alternative approaches to improving the quality of life of persons with mental disorders.

Website link: http://www.noveltechethics.ca/page.php?page=6&id=52

Cafe Scientifique-The Rise in Childhood Bipolar Behaviours

What’s behind the extraordinary increase in the number of children being diagnosed with bipolar disorder? What are the possible causes and how is the diagnosis being made? Is this generation of children somehow more prone to this illness?

A Café Scientifique is a two-way discussion between health science researchers and the public. Join our panelists. Bring your questions and concerns. Refreshments provided.

7:00 pm Tuesday February 28, 2012

Just Us Coffeehouse
5896 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax

Not Well Enough Alone: Mental Illness and Isolation

 Effective treatment of mental illness should include social dimensions of care. Yet the experience of being diagnosed with and treated for mental illness in Canada is often isolating. This Café Scientifique will highlight how important it is that we as patients, communities, health practitioners, researchers and policy makers create and implement strategies for preventing social isolation among individuals with mental illness, and promote supportive and innovative practices of social connection.

7:00 Thursday, January 19, 2012

Humani-T Gelato & Expresso Bar
5755 Young Street, Halifax

Presented by Novel Tech Ethics. Science on tap. Quench your interest.

Should Youth Hockey Be Safer?

Should Youth Hockey be Safer? Treating and Preventing Concussion


Monday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Big Leagues Sports Bar, 920 Cole Harbour Road, Dartmouth

Hockey is the sport that Canadians love, and there are a lot of kids who want to be the next Sidney Crosby. What is being done, and what should be done so that they can play without being the next hockey player with a concussion? This Café Scientifique will examine the research being done to detect, treat, and prevent concussion due to injuries in youth ice hockey.

Panelists:

Pete Belliveau, Head Coach, Dalhousie Tigers

Syd Johnson, Assistant Professor, Michigan Technical University

Brett Taylor, Physician/Assoc. Professor, Emergency Medicine & Paediatrics. IWK Health Centre & Dalhousie University

Donald Weaver, Canada Research Chair in Clinical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University

Moderator:

Bill McLean, Sports Broadcaster, sportstream.ca

Visit the Events section at www.noveltechethics.ca for further information

Neuroethics and Sex Differences

Are there significant differences in the brains of men versus women? How could it affect our society?

Dr. Peggy DesAutel from the University of Dayton argues that neuroscientific findings on sex-based differences have implications for ethics and for how research about the brain should proceed.

7:00 pm, Thursday November 17, 2011. Room 104, 6061 University Avenue, Weldon Law Building, Dalhousie University. 

Neuroethics and Sex Differences - A public talk presented by Novel Tech Ethics. For more information, visit our website, www.noveltechethics.ca

The Privatization of Everything:Bioethics in the City II

1:30 pm, Tuesday September 20, 2011

Outdoor Amphitheatre, LeMarchant & University Ave.
Dalhousie University

Introduction - The Privatization of Knowledge
Matthew Herder LLM JSM

PublicTrust with Private Profit
Janice E. Graham PhD

Privatization, Profitization and Health Equity: Can We Talk About It?
Nuala Kenny OC MD FRCPC

Presented by:

Brain Injury Dialogues: Brain Awareness Week Film and Panel Discussion

7:00 pm Monday March 14, 2011


QEII Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer Street, Halifax

Though he appears normal, Rick Franklin's brain injury has made his life anything but. Teaming up with veteran documentary maker and friend Lyell Davies, Rick explores the impact that brain injury has had on himself and other survivors.

Panelists – L. Syd Johnson, Beverly Butler, Heather McNally

Join us. Watch the film. Discuss the ethical issues.

For more information http://www.noveltechethics.ca/

States of Mind 2011-A Film Series on the Ethics of Mental Health

Precious: January 17, 2011
Helen: January 24, 2011
Temple Grandin: January 31, 2011
Lars and the Real Girl: February 2, 2011

These four films have been chosen to highlight specific mental health issues. Film screenings will be followed by a panel discussion on the ethical issues inspired by the film. The panel will be composed of clinicians, researchers, ethicists and patient representatives from the community. Audience participation is necessary and encouraged for a valuable exchange of ideas.

Film screenings begin at 7:00 pm and take place at Theatre B, Tupper Link - Dalhousie University, 5948 University Avenue, Halifax.

Presented by Novel Tech Ethics http://www.noveltechethics.ca/

Free Public Education Events

Novel Tech Ethics (Dalhousie University) is beginning a new season of public education events including a public talk, two café scientifiques, our annual movie series (opening with The Soloist), and a film screening and panel discussion during Brain Awareness Week.

PUBLIC TALK
Tales from the Script: Insider/Outsider Perspectives on Pharmaceutical Industry Sales Practices
Wed., Jan.13, 2010 (7:30PM)
Room 104, Weldon Law Building, Dalhousie University campus, Halifax
Topics: pharmaceutical ‘culture’, pharmaceutical sales & marketing
Speaker: Michael Oldani (Medical Anthropologist). Prior to his current research on the pharmaceutical industry's impact on psychiatry and society, Dr. Michael J. Oldani worked for Pfizer Inc., the largest drug company in the world.

CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE I
Treating Alzheimer's Disease: What to Take? Who to Trust?
Thurs., Jan.14, 2010 (7:00-9:00PM)
Uncommon Grounds Coffee House, 1030 South Park St., Halifax
Topics: pharmaceuticals & nutraceuticals for AD, marketing practices, regulation, consumer safety & education
Moderator: Françoise Baylis (Bioethicist/Philosopher)
Panellists: Kieran Cooley (Naturopathic Medicine); Michael Oldani (Medical Anthropologist); Donald Weaver (Neurologist)

MOVIE SERIES
States of Mind 2010: a Film Series on the Ethics of Mental Health
All screenings on Tuesdays, (7:00 PM), QEII Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St.
Moderator: Timothy Krahn

Part 1. Tues., Jan.19, 2010. The Soloist
Topics: schizophrenia, homelessness
Panellists: Andrew Fenton (Bioethicist); Jean Hughes (Nursing professor); Patient/Community representative: Vincent Daigle

Part 2. Tues., Jan.26, 2010. Rachel Getting Married
Topics: addictions, family dynamics
Panellists: Andrew Fenton (Bioethicist); Fiona Martin (Social Anthropologist); Patient/Community representative: Susan Kilbride-Roper

Part 3. Tues., Feb.2, 2010: Stop-Loss
Topics: PTSD, death & grief, abuse
Panellists: Andrew Fenton (Bioethicist); Military Counsellor and/or other panellists: TBA

Part 4. Tues., Feb.9, 2010: Little Miss Sunshine
Topics: suicide, teen identity, family dynamics, body image & identity
Panellists: Andrew Fenton (Bioethicist); Cassandra Hanrahan (Social Work professor)

FILM AND PANEL DISCUSSION – BRAIN AWARENESS WEEK
The Minority Report
Mon., Mar.15, 2010 (6:30PM!!)
QEII Royal Bank Theatre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer St.
Topics: novel neurotechnologies, neuroimaging, criminal law, criminal procedure, sociology of policing, security and governance
Moderator: Timothy Krahn
Panellists: Ryan D’Arcy (Neuroimaging specialist), Archibald Kaiser (Law professor), Letitia Meynell (Philosopher), Christopher Murphy (Sociologist)

CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE II
Making Babies One at a Time: When Two is a Crowd
Date: mid-April, 2010 TBA (7:00-9:00PM)
Location: TBA
Moderator: Susan Sherwin (Bioethicist/Philosopher)
Panellists: Françoise Baylis (Bioethicist/Philosopher); Carolyn McLeod (Bioethicist/Philosopher); David Young (Obstetrician)

For more information, contact Timothy Krahn.
Tel. (902) 494-2936
Fax. (902) 494-2924
tim.krahn@dal.ca

Novel Tech Ethics - Film and Panel Discussions

Novel Tech Ethics (Dalhousie University) is pleased to present two upcoming events.

1. THE DISAPPEARING MALE –
Film and Panel Discussion

Wednesday, September 16, 2009—7:00PM to 9:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30PM)
Dentistry Building, Room 3156, Dalhousie University5981 University Avenue, HalifaxRefreshments provided

2. Technologically Shaping Selves: Ethics and the Pursuit of Enhancement

Erik Parens, Senior Research Scholar
The Hastings Center (Garrison, NY

Wednesday, September 23, 2009—7:30PM
Room 104, Weldon Law Building, 6061 University Avenue, Dalhousie University
Come early, seating is limited!

1. The Disappearing Male is about an important but little publicized issue facing the human species: the toxic threat to the male reproductive system. The film takes a close and disturbing look at what many doctors and researchers now suspect are responsible for many reproductive issues and other health concerns for males: a class of common chemicals that are ubiquitous in our world. Found in everything from shampoo, sunglasses, meat and dairy products, carpet, cosmetics and baby bottles, they are called "hormone mimicking" or "endocrine disrupting" chemicals and they may be starting to damage some of the most basic building blocks of human development.
Panelists: Dr. Françoise Baylis, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Bioethics and Philosophy, Dalhousie University; Dr. Linda Dodds, Professor and Director of Research in the Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit at Dalhousie University; Panellist TBA
The format of the panel will involve informal 7-10 minute presentations by each of the three panellists, followed by a facilitated discussion in which each panellist will have an opportunity to comment on issues raised by the audience. Sponsored by Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Population and Public Health and Institute of Gender and Health, and Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

2. TECHNOLOGICALLY SHAPING SELVES: At least since the publication of Peter Kramer’s book Listening to Prozac, there has been a lively public debate in the US about using medical technologies to make us “better than well.” Some critics argue that “enhancement technologies” (whether pharmacological, surgical, or genetic) threaten to alienate us from who we really are. Some enthusiasts argue that these technologies will enable us to become more fully who we really are. I will argue that critics and enthusiasts share more than they are inclined to acknowledge. Further, I will suggest that if we consider the insights on both sides more carefully, we will conclude that none of us is—or should be—comfortable on only one side.

Questions to consider:
· Do you have a “gut feeling” about whether, in general, it is good or bad to use technologies like surgery or pharmacology or genetics to enhance human traits and capacities?
· Leaving aside concerns about safety and access for the moment, what are your reasons for being for or against technological enhancement?

Erik Parens is a Senior Research Scholar at The Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute in Garrison, New York. He received his BA, MA, and PHD degrees from interdisciplinary programs in the humanities at The University of Chicago. Since arriving at The Hastings Center in 1992, he has led research projects that have resulted in many publications, including 4 edited volumes: Surgically Shaping Children: Technology, Ethics, and the Pursuit of Normality (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006); Wrestling with Behavioral Genetics: Science, Ethics, and Public Conversation (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005); Prenatal Testing and Disability Rights (Georgetown University Press, 2000); and Enhancing Human Traits: Ethical and Social Implications (Georgetown University Press, 1998). He is currently leading one research project on the controversies surrounding the pharmacological treatment of emotional and behavioral disturbances in children and leading a second on the controversies surrounding the interpretation of neuroimages.

For more information, including directions to the Weldon Law Building, go to the “Events” page of www.noveltechethics.ca . If you would like to join the Novel Tech Ethics mailing list for notice of these and other Novel Tech Ethics public education events, please send your contact information to nte@dal.ca