Ankündigungen

Biomedicine within the Limits of Human Existence
Bioethics: an Interdisciplinary Challenge and a Cultural Project
Davos, Switzerland, 8 - 13 September 2001

Scientific/Technological Objectives and Content

Biomedical breakthroughs were often regarded as great events when they extended the limits of the physical existence of human beings. Innovations such as genetic engineering, reproductive medicine, implantations, cell, tissue or organ transplantation, and even pharmacology and intensive care have led to a considerable prolongation of life expectancy. These breakthroughs have also supported the capabilities of human bodies in defeating diseases and have contributed to a better quality of life - within, however, the still real constraints of finiteness. Modern medicine is part of a cultural project. Its normative programme aims at the mastery of nature and the organic mechanisms of the body, at the elimination of contingency in human existence. Limits are seen as negative: non-present abilities in individuals are classified as dysfunctions, diseases as adversaries, death as the foe.

This EURESCO conferences series will raise questions connected with this negative assessment and potential negligence of limits.

In the construction of modern human identity what role do limits, and the overcoming of limits by biomedical technologies, have? Is this construction still appropriate to the present situation of biomedicine and to current social conditions? Does this construction provide a basis for moral assessments? What protects bioethics from becoming a legitimate initiative for a technology to be used by the dominant powers of society? Are our currently used approaches to ethics related to, or even biased by, the "modern" attitude towards limits?

The first of two meetings will focus on the development of methods of bioethical deliberations, on the patterns of analysis they use, and on the practice of moral discourses within contemporary societies. Results of these reflections will be evaluated in the second meeting in selected hot topics in the field of biomedical technology and practice. The series should yield ways to evaluate differing proposals for action in biomedicine, as well as the setting of moral, social, and political priorities within liberal and pluralistic societies.

The meetings are not designed to reproduce state-of-the-art methods in bioethics but to find new questions and new ways of treating moral issues. How do methods in bioethics cope with the limits of rational power of judgement? How can bioethical discourses be enriched by the existing critical discussions on constraints in the concepts of body, of relationships, and of nature, in the epoch of modernity itself? Such discussions are taking place outside ethics, in different fields of humanities, but also within the sciences and medicine.

The conferences are designed to provide a setting for interdisciplinary co-operation and learning, bridging the realms of science, humanities and society. Young researchers will have the opportunity to bring in new approaches and ideas with short presentations and by participating in round table discussions.

List of topics

EURESCO Conferences

EURESCO Conferences (European Research Conferences) are a programme of the European Science Foundation, with funding from the High Level Scientific Conferences Activity of the European Commission. The Conferences are mainly held throughout the European Union and Associated States. Besides natural and life sciences, the EURESCO Programme covers technical sciences, economics, social sciences and humanities - as well as interdisciplinary areas. Each conference consists of a series of meetings, held typically every other year. There are neither written contributions nor proceedings. Unconventional ideas and new approaches, not yet fully explored, are encouraged. The conferences are open to all scientists, whether from academia or industry. The number of participants is limited to about 100 and all participants are expected to attend for the whole duration of the Conference. Selection is made on the basis of the affinity of potential participants with the topics of the conference.

Some grants will be available for young researchers (upon request). Grant applications should be made by fax or via the EURESCO www server.

Registration should be made by 30 April 2001 at the very latest, preferably online at http://www.esf.org/euresco/ or by mail or fax in duplicate. Please quote this conference reference number in any correspondence: 2001-175.

For further information and application please contact:

Dr. Josip Hendekovic
Head of the EURESCO Unit
  or
Ms. Valerie Allspach-Kiechel
European Science Foundation
1, quai Lezay-Marnésia
F-67080 Strasbourg Cedex, France
Tel.: +33 (0) 3 88 76 71 35
e-mail: euresco∂esf.org
Internet: http://www.esf.org/euresco/