Bismarck, ND - Health care professionals, legal professionals and clergy frequently grapple with serious ethical issues such as stem cell research, cloning, and euthanasia.

The Bioethical Challenges of Our Times seminar series is designed to bring together these and other interested individuals from throughout the region and address many challenging issues. Sessions will help shed light and understanding as well as spawn lively discussion from participants regarding bioethics.

Each session will have a new topic with a world-renown expert in medical ethics from the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) in Philadelphia. While the presenters are from a Catholic organization, the content is relevant to individuals from all backgrounds. The first session is Friday and Saturday, January 20-21, 2012, in the Matt & JoAnn Butler Hall at the Gary Tharaldson School of Business, featuring guest speaker Father Tad Pacholczyk, who has Ph.D. in neuroscience from Yale University.

"Having seen and listened to Father Pacholczyk I know he's a first rate speaker and a respected leader in the field of bioethics," commented Dr. Ray Gruby, president of the Bismarck Catholic Physicians Guild. "We are excited to bring a person of his caliber, knowledge and background to the region. Dr. John Haas and Dr. Marie Hilliard, who will speak later in the series, have either provided consultation to United States presidents or testimony to federal legislative committees on bioethical topics. Their scholarly and medical credentials are impeccable and we're looking forward to hearing all their insights throughout the course of the year."

Some of the other session topics include stem cell research and cloning, the Catholic ethical teaching pertaining to reproductive technologies, natural family planning and contraception, interventions in end of life situations, abortion, ectopic pregnancy and sexual assault protocols.

The series is presented by the Bismarck Catholic Physicians Guild and the University of Mary School of Health Sciences, with sponsorship provided by the Diocese of Bismarck and St. Alexius Medical Center.

"The University of Mary School of Health Sciences is delighted to host this seminar series with the Bismarck Catholic Physician's Guild," said Dr. Jodi Roller, dean of the University of Mary School of Health Sciences. "These seminars are pertinent to the University of Mary's mission because the university was founded to prepare leaders in the service of truth. This seminar series gives participants the opportunity to elevate their critical thinking with regard to how science and faith complement - not contradict - each other and further demonstrate that it is possible for a scientist to be true to science and to faith. And in keeping with the role of a university, the seminar series has been approved for continuing education credits for several professions."

For a detailed listing of series presentations and to register online, go to www.umary.edu/bioethics. Seating is limited.

SESSION TOPICS AND DATES:
JANUARY 20-21: The Ethical and Religious Directives & Overview of Principles

FEBRUARY 24-25: Stem Cell Research and Cloning, Embryo Experimentation,
Prenatal Testing, Embryo Adoption

MARCH 16-17: Infertility and Means of Overcoming It

APRIL 20-21: Homosexuality, Intersexuality, Gender Identity

MAY 11-12: Chastity in Marriage, Natural Family Planning and Contraception

SEPTEMBER 14-15: Proportionate/Disproportionate Interventions in End of Life Situations, Addressing Pain and Suffering, Sacraments, Cardio-Pulmonary and Neurological Criteria for Determining Death, Organ Donation

OCTOBER 19-20: Moral Issues Associated with Artificial Nutrition and Hydration; Suicide, Assisted Suicide, and Euthanasia; Advance Directives; Health Care Proxy; Do Not Resuscitate Orders; Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment/Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Forms

NOVEMBER 16-17: Abortion, Difficult Pregnancies, Early Induction, Ectopic Pregnancy, Fetal Remains, Sexual Assault Protocols

DECEMBER 14-15: Issues of Cooperation with Evil

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