WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Monday, November 9, the Appignani Bioethics Center, a project of the American Humanist Association (AHA), will hold a panel titled The Age of Bio(in)security: Science, Citizens and the Future. The panel will examine controversies in biomedical and environmental science and policy, including stem cell research, brain and cognition and climate change technologies. Distinguished speakers, including Jonathan Moreno, who served on President Barack Obama's transition team for the Department of Health and Human Services, will lead the discussion.

WHEN:

Monday, November 9, 2009

Press conference: 9:30 - 10:00 AM

Panel: 10:00 - 11:30 AM

WHERE:

The National Press Club

Murrow Room

529 14th St., NW, 13th Floor

Washington, D.C. 20045

WHO:

Jonathan Moreno, Ph.D., senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, David and Lyn Silfen University professor of ethics, professor of medical ethics and of history and sociology of science at the University of Pennsylvania and formerly a member of President Barack Obama's transition team for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Andrew Light, Ph.D., senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and director of the Center for Global Ethics at George Mason University.

Ana Lita, Ph.D., director of the Appignani Bioethics Center at the United Nations in New York City, will moderate.

WHY:

Ethics has always been a major consideration in the sciences. As our knowledge and technology have progressed, humans have become capable of influencing more and more. Climate change, medical innovations such as pharmaceuticals and stem cell therapies and new understandings of free will all have the potential to change everything. At this event two prominent ethicists will weigh in on what they think the future of science will hold for all humanity.

This event is free and open to the media. Contact Karen Frantz at kfrantz@americanhumanist.org to RSVP.

The Appignani Bioethics Center (http://www.humanistbioethics.org/), a project of the American Humanist Association, is a think tank providing timely research and analysis of bioethical challenges facing the national and international community. The Center helps inform local, state, national and international policy debates on global issues in medical and biotechnological sciences through collaboration with non-governmental organizations and United Nations departments, bodies and agencies.

The American Humanist Association (www.americanhumanist.org) advocates for the rights and viewpoints of humanists. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., its work is extended through more than 100 local chapters and affiliates across America.

    Contact:
    Karen Frantz
    202-238-9088
    kfrantz@americanhumanist.org

SOURCE American Humanist Association