CFP: Society for Christian Bioethicists Inaugural Conference

The inaugural conference will take place online between November 4-6th. The event will include keynote addresses from John Wyatt and Monique Wubbenhorst, and a debate/discussion between Peter Singer and Charles Camosy.

There will also be the opportunity for 30-45 minute presentations from anyone at any stage of their career (and any discipline). We invite those working in the area of bioethics to submit abstracts of 200-500 words for consideration. Any topic of interest to Christians in bioethics will be considered, and papers need not be framed in a specifically Christian way.

While the society is committed to Christian teaching in its constitution, anyone of any faith or none is welcome to submit papers, and submissions expositing any viewpoint will be fairly considered for the conference. We believe that informed and respectful disagreement can be of benefit to all.

Registration information will be sent out in due course. Please stay updated via the website: www.scbethics.com

The following non-exhaustive list of topics might be helpful to potential applicants:

• Abortion
• Animal ethics
• Euthanasia
• Engagement between Christian and secular bioethical traditions
• Family, community and procreative ethics
• Gene editing
• Organ transplantation
• Pandemic ethics
• Religion and bioethics
• Religion and medicine
• Resource allocation
• Sexual ethics
• Transhumanism

Abstracts should be sent to the conference organisers at [email protected] by 1st October 2021. We aim to notify participants of acceptance by 10th October 2021.

Keynote speaker information

Prof John Wyatt is Emeritus Professor of Neonatal Paediatrics, Ethics and Perinatology at University College, London. As well as a distinguished career in clinical practice, Prof Wyatt has been a major voice in British bioethics, having written a number of books on medical ethics, including works on euthanasia and artificial intelligence.

Dr Monique Wubbenhorst has over 20 years’ experience as an obstetrician-gynaecologist, with an MD from Brown University and an MPH from Harvard University. Dr Wubbenhorst has served as faculty at Duke University and as the Deputy Assistant Administrator at the Bureau for Global Health at USAID. She has written on a number of topics in global maternal health, including the ethics of family planning.

Prof Peter Singer is the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University. He has written on a wide variety of topics within bioethics, as a leading proponent and advocate of utilitarianism, effective altruism and animal rights. In 2012 he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for his service to philosophy and bioethics.

Prof Charles Camosy is Associate Professor of Theological and Social Ethics at Fordham University. Having received his PhD at the University of Notre Dame, Prof Camosy has been at the forefront of academic work and advocacy for the Consistent Life Ethic.