GENOME EDITING – International Conference

The forthcoming conference builds on the Center for the Study of Bioethics’ tradition of bringing together top experts in the field of bioethics to discuss novel issues.

In May 2013, the Center for the Study of Bioethics and the Oxford Centre for Neuroethics jointly organized the conference “Enhancement: Cognitive, Moral and Mood.” John Harris, Julian Savulescu, and Peter Singer were among the esteemed presenters. In October 2015, the Center for the Study of Bioethics and The Hastings Center carried the 2013 debate one step further with the conference “Enhancing Understanding of Enhancement.” The keynote speakers were John Harris and Erik Parens. Both events were organized in Belgrade.

In August 2017, the Center for the Study of Bioethics partners with the Division of Medical Ethics in NYU School of Medicine`s Department of Population Health and The Hastings Center for the conference “Genome Editing: Biomedical and Ethical Perspectives”. An international group of bioethics experts will gather to discuss genome editing in both humans and nonhumans. With the rapid development of revolutionary tools to edit the genome, it is difficult to imagine a more important issue in contemporary bioethics. The August conference in Belgrade is expected to be one of the most important bioethics events of 2017. Arthur Caplan and John Harris will be keynote speakers. Other keynote or invited speakers include Nick Agar, Josephine Johnston, Greg Kaebnick, Anders Sandberg and Katrien Devolder.

Conference organizers will convene presentations and panels that include the following themes:

- Moral perspectives on genome editing

- Genome editing and human enhancement

- Human germ-line genome editing

- Genome editing in non-humans (e.g., for research, public health...)

- Science as a moral enterprise in the case of genome editing

- Somatic genome editing and new therapies using CRIPSR

- Gene drives and environmental risks

- The need to regulate genome editing

- Risks / off-target events in the case of genome editing

- Cost/equity of the application of genome editing

- Genome editing and social justice

- Moral norms and human rights in the case of genome editing

- Genome editing: treating diseases, avoiding (genetic) diseases

- Gene therapies

- Xenotransplantation

- Genome editing in the case of food production

- Genome editing and ecosystems

- Applications of genome editing: military, industrial, amateur

- CRISPR as a bioweapon

- US-China-EU economic and genetic "wars"?

The Center for the Study of Bioethics (CSB), founded by Dr Vojin Rakić, stimulates scientific debate on a variety of bioethical issues, including the establishment of morally responsible policies of creating better humans and better lives. CSB is located in Belgrade, Serbia, but is global in scope. To that end, it regularly organizes international conferences and events and global partnerships.

Founded in 2012 by Dr. Arthur Caplan, the Division of Medical Ethics in NYU School of Medicine’s Department of Population Health works to enhance education and training in bioethics. It aims at advancing our ability to address the philosophical and practical dilemmas associated with advances in medicine and biotechnology.

The Hastings Center, led by Dr Mildred Z. Solomon, was founded in 1969. Over its nearly 50 year history, Hastings has addressed fundamental ethical issues in health, health care, life sciences research, emerging technologies, and the environment. The Hastings Center accomplishes its mission by producing original research, publishing two journals, engaging the public through a variety of in-person and online events, and providing service to the field of bioethics.

The conference will cover various aspects of genome editing and it will aim both at searching for enhanced genome editing opportunities, as well as for an enhanced understanding of the concept of genome editing. Another envisioned result of the conference dialogue is a further development and clarification of various perspectives on genome editing. An outcome of the conference might be the publication of an edited volume or a journal`s special issue “Genome editing: biomedical and ethical perspectives”. In this publication the conference participants will have the opportunity to publish the papers they presented at the conference or other texts that foster the genome editing debate.

Vojin Rakić

Director of the Center for the Study of Bioethics

Arthur Caplan

New York University’s Langone Medical Center

Mildred Z. Solomon

President and CEO of The Hastings Center