Symposium in Gothenburg, 15-16 february, 2001

The aim of the symposium is to use known facts about and ethical problems in prenatal diagnosis and reproductive genetic counselling in order to identify and discuss new ethical issues which can be expected to arise due to the rapid development of genetic knowledge, testing technologies, socio-political changes and the increased public awareness of these processes.

The symposium will present as invited speakers a number of advanced researchers and practitioners in the field, who will set the stage for what we hope will be engaged discussions among and contributions from all participants. Each presentation includes at least 20-30 minutes for questions and discussion. See the program below for further details.

Participation in the symposium is open for anyone seriously interested in its topic and is free of charge. However, there is a limit to the number of participants we are able to accept. Unfortunately, the organisers are unable to assist participants in the booking of travel and accomodation. Instead, we recommend the Gothenburg Tourist Office.

The location of the symposium is the Wallenberg Hall, inside the Wallenberg Conference Center, which is situated at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital Campus, "Medicinareberget" (the medicine hill), very close to the inner centre of Gotrhenburg. See also this map of the area!

Please, feel welcome to apply for participation in the symposium by sending the attached form appropriately filled out by regular mail to Berit Kullman, Dept. of Clinical Genetics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/East, SE-416 85, Gothenburg, Sweden; or by fax to (+46) Ø31 842160. You can also apply by sending an email stating your wish, and giving the details requested in the form to Berit.Kullman@sahlgrenska.se .

For general inquiries about the symposium, please contact the symposium organisers:
Christian Munthe, Dept. of Philosophy, Gothenburg University, Box 200, SE-405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden. Phone: (+46) Ø31 7734843. Email: Christian.Munthe@phil.gu.se, or Jan Wahlström, Dept. of Clinical Genetics, SU/East, SE-416 85 Gothenburg. Phone (+46) Ø31 3434800 Email: Jan.Wahlstrom@obgyn.gu.se.

PROGRAM
 

15 february
13.00 Wellcome and introduction (Jan Wahlström, Sahlgrenska university hospital/East)

13.15 Present and future prospects in prenatal diagnosis (The-Hung Bui, Karolinska hospital)

14.00 Moral roots and future goals in prenatal diagnosis (Christian Munthe, Gothenburg university)

14.45 Coffee

15.00 The right to know and the right not to know (Darren Shickle, University of Sheffield)

16.00 Reproductive genetics ? eugenics for the future? (Torbjörn Tännsjö, Gothenburg university)

17.00 Summing up of day 1 (Jan Wahlström)
 

16 february
10.00 The role and significance of the genetic counsellor in reproductive decisions (Angus Clarke, Univ. of Wales)

11.00 The psychology of reproductive decisions and reproductive genetic counselling (Ulrika Hösterey-Ugander, Sahlgrenska university hospital/East & Gunilla Sydsjö, Linköping university hospital)

11.45 Lunch

13.00 The psychology of reproductive decisions and reproductive genetic counselling, continued.

13.45 Critical issues for the future: introduction (Jan Wahlström)

14.00 General discussion (moderator: Christian Munthe)

15.00 Summing up of entire symposium (Jan Wahlström)

15.15 End of symposium
 Coming ethical challenges in prenatal diagnosis and reproductive genetic counselling.

Symposium in Gothenburg, 15-16 february, 2001

INVITED SPEAKERS

The-Hung Bui
Head physician, Dept. of Clinical Genetics, Karolinska Hospital, Sweden, is a distinguished researcher and practitioner in genetic counselling, assisted reproduction, prenatal diagnosis, prenatal screening and prenatal therapy.

Angus Clarke
Reader in Medical Genetics, University of Wales, UK, is well-known for his extensive writing on the theory and practice of genetic counselling. He is a pioneer of the education of genetic counsellors and of establishing genetic counselling as a clinical speciality in its own right. Together with Peter Harper, he has authoured the acclaimed book, Genetics, Society and Clinical Practice.

Ulrika Hösterey-Ugander
Qf. Psychologist, Dept. of Clinical Genetics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/East, has worked with psycho-social caring in genetic counselling for several years, and is currently organising and directing the first Scandinavian higher education for genetic counsellors.

Christian Munthe
Ass. professor, Dept. of Philosophy, Gothenburg University, Sweden, has conducted research and published books on the ethics of abortion, prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling. His latest book, Pure Selection, analyses ethical issues actualised by recent developments in reproductive genetic testing.

Darren Shickle
Clinical Senior Lecturer, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, has conducted research on the ethics of genetic testing and screening, as well as the prioritarisation of health care and other public health issues. Together with Ruth Chadwick and Mairi Levitt, he is co-editor of the acclaimed book The right to know and the right not to know.

Gunilla Sydsjö
Head physician, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Linköping University Hospital, has undertaken extensive research on various psycho-social aspects of peopleís reprodutive decisions, pregnancy and childbirth.

Torbjörn Tännsjö
Professor, Dept. of Philosophy, Gothenburg University, Sweden, is an internationally acclaimed researcher in bioethics as well as moral and political philosophy. His strong liberal views on the ethics of prenatal diagnosis and assisted reproduction has been put forward in many arenas, so also in his latest book, Coercive Care: The Ethics of Choice in Health and Medicine.

Jan Wahlström
Ass. professor, Dept. of Clinical Genetics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/East, Sweden, is a distinguished researcher in medical genetics, as well as expert and pioneer of prenatal diagnosis. For many years, he has been extensively engaged in the theory and practice of genetic counselling, as well as the ethical issues actualised by this activity.

APPLICATION FORM

Coming ethical challenges in prenatal diagnosis and reproductive genetic counselling.

Symposium in Gothenburg, 15-16 february, 2001
 

NAME
 
 
 

TITLE/POSITION
 

PLACE OF WORK
 
 
 
 

ADDRESS
 
 
 
 

PHONE
 
 

EMAIL
 
 
 
 
 

SEND, FAX or EMAIL THE PRINTED AND FILLED OUT FORM TO:
Berit Kullman, Dept. of Clinical Genetics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/East, SE-416 85, Gothenburg, Sweden; Fax: (+46) Ø31 842160.

or Email your application with the requested details to:  Berit.Kullman@sahlgrenska.se

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