Back
to Top of PageBioethics*
Sharon Stoerger MLS,
MBA
sstoer@yahoo.com
Academic
Centers ~~ Events
~~ Government Agencies
Organizations & Non-Academic Sponsor
Centers ~~ Publications
~~ Resources
Additional
Resources
The American Journal of Bioethics
& bioethics.net
http://bioethics.net
This is a University of Pennsylvania Center for Bioethics site that provides
lots of links to useful background information on various topics in bioethics.
Bioethics & Health Care Ethics
Resources on WWW
http://www.ethics.ubc.ca/resources/biomed/
The Centre for Applied Ethics which sponsors this site was created by in 1993
by the University of British Columbia Board of Governors. Categorized links
such as "Ethics Institutes & Organizations", "Publications"
and "Other Related Institutes & Organizations" are just a few
of the areas addressed at this site.
Center for Bioethics--University
of Minnesota
http://www.bioethics.umn.edu/
The goal of the Center and the links provided at this site is designed to help
students, professionals, policy makers and the public in dealing with the ethical
issues that can be found in health care and the life sciences.
Johns Hopkins University Bioethics
Institute
http://ww2.med.jhu.edu/bioethics_institute/
The Bioethics Institute was established in 1995 as a way to promote research
in bioethics. In addition to information regarding the Institute, this site
also has related links to other bioethics information sources.
Kennedy Institute of Ethics
http://www.georgetown.edu/research/kie/
The Kennedy Institute of Ethics is a teaching and research center offering ethical
perspectives on major policy issues. It's noted as being the "largest university
based group of faculty members in the world devoted to research and teaching
in biomedical ethics and other areas of applied ethics".
National Reference Center for
Bioethics Literature
http://www.georgetown.edu/research/nrcbl
This has the reputation of having the world's largest collection related to
ethical issues in medical and biomedical research. It is intended to be a resource
for the public as well as an in-depth research resource for scholars.
Neiswanger Institute
for Bioethics and Health Policy
http://bioethics.lumc.edu/
The Neiswanger Institute
for Bioethics and Health Policy is affiliated with Loyola University Chicago. According to their website, "the Institute serves the students and faculty of the Stritch School of Medicine, healthcare professionals and patients of Loyola University Health System, and professionals from the regional community and across the nation."
The Online Ethics Center for Engineering
& Science
http://onlineethics.org
This site is designed to provide engineers, scientists, and science and engineering
students with resources useful for understanding and addressing ethical issues.
This Center is virtually located on the campus of Case Western Reserve University.
Poynter Center--Indiana University
http://www.indiana.edu/~poynter/index.html
The Poynter Center is an endowed ethics research center at Indiana University-Bloomington.
The Center in recent years has focused on bioethics, religion, teaching, ethics
and professional ethics. This site also provides numerous links dealing with
general, research ethics and research policy information.
Religion and Bioethics: Controversies
about Human Cloning and Stem Cell Research
http://www.relst.uiuc.edu/Thulin/ThulinSp02.html
A lecture by James F. Childress, the Edwin B. Kyle Professor of Religious Studies
and Professor of Medical Education at the University of Virginia will discuss
the controversies surrounding human cloning and stem cell research at the Levis
Faculty Center on the University of Illinois campus. Dr. Childress is also the
Director of the Institute for Practical Ethics.
University of Illinois Center
for Advanced Study Events: The New Biology
http://www.cas.uiuc.edu/newbiology.html
The Center for Advanced Study (CAS) brings together scholars from diverse disciplines
and backgrounds. One of the programs sponsored by CAS in the 2001-2002 academic
year was entitled The New Biology: Issues and Opportunities
Where are We? Where are We Going?
http://www-admin.med.uiuc.edu/Advancement/LawMed/agenda.htm
A symposium presented by the University of Illinois College of Law, the University
of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign, the Institute of Government
and Public Affairs, and the Nursing Institute. One topic of discussion are bioethical
challenges and health care reform.
Bioethics Resources on the Web
- National Institutes of Health
http://www.nih.gov/sigs/bioethics
Background information and positions on various bioethical issues are provided
at this site. Resource links are for those interested in bioethics, and they
include National Institutes of Health data as well as information beyond that
organization.
Ethical, Legal and Social Implications
of Human Genetic Research (ELSI)
http://www.genome.gov/page.cfm?pageID=10001618
ELSI was established as an integral part of the Human Genome Project. The idea
of this program was to identify, analyze and address the ethical, legal and
social implications of human genetics research.
The President's Council on Bioethics
http://www.bioethics.gov
The National Bioethics Advisory Commission was created in a 1995 Executive Order
to provide advice and make recommendations to the National Science & Technology
Council. Some areas of investigation include thing like human research and genetics.
Archived reports and working papers, such as "Cloning Human Beings"
is available full text at this site. A link to the National Bioethics Commission
can also be found at http://bioethics.georgetown.edu/nbac.
Access Excellence--National Museum
of Health
http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/index.html
A site that covers information on issues and ethics dealing with scientific
breakthroughs that have moved biotechnology forward. Information on the practical
applications of ethics, career links, and the history of biotechnology can also
be accessed at this site.
American Society for Bioethics
and Humanities (ASBH) Links
http://www.asbh.org/links/
This site offers a selective but extensive list of bioethics links. The resources
are categorized by topics such as "Ethics and Philosophy", "Government
and Public Policy" and "Law" to name a few.
CBHD - The Center for Bioethics
and Human Dignity
http://www.cbhd.org/
The goal of The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity is to address pressing
bioethical topics including managed care, genetic intervention, and reproductive
technologies. Links to numerous Internet sites plus Issue Overviews and Bibliographies
are also available.
The Hastings Center for Bioethics
http://www.thehastingscenter.org/
The Hastings Center main focus is the fundamental ethical issues in health,
medicine and the environment and how these issues affect people. In addition
to educational opportunities and research programs offered at the Center, their
Morrison Library offers bioethics related information online.
Midwest Bioethics Center
http://www.midbio.org/
The Midwest Bioethics Center is a community-based ethics center founded by an
attorney, a physician and a philosopher. Case studies, links to bioethics information
sources as well as information about the Center's services can be accessed at
this site.
2 Scientists from Bush's Bioethics
Council Say Panel's Report Favors Ideology Over Facts (must be subscribed
to The Chronicle of Higher Education to access)
http://chronicle.com/prm/daily/2004/03/2004030801n.htm
Elizabeth H. Blackburn, a professor of biochemistry at the University of California
at San Francisco, and Janet Rowley, a professor of oncology at the University
of Chicago, have published a "critique" titled "Reason as Our
Guide." This publication is the latest attack against what some scientists
consider to be a manipulation of the facts surrounding stem cell and reproductive
research by the Bush administration. Details about this critique and reaction
from the council are discussed in this Chronicle of Higher Education
article from the March 8, 2004 edition.
Alleged Fraud Cover-Up Revealed
http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20030303/04
A virulent strain of pig pneumonia that was reported stolen in September 2002
from a Michigan State University laboratory never existed. Investigators have
determined that the theft of the dangerous mutant strain of pig bacteria was
faked in order to hide the misuse of $750,000 in research funds. The details
of this research fraud case plus Michigan State University's reaction to the
findings are discussed in this article from the March 3, 2003 issue of The
Scientist.
Balancing Business and Science
and ImClone
http://www.the-scientist.com/yr2002/dec/prof_021209.html
John Mendelsohn, president of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
and developer of C225 (Erbitux) was called before members of the House Committee
on Energy and Commerce to answer questions about his role in ImClone Systems.
The focus of the inquiry was in regard to the clinical trials that led to the
FDA issuing a "refuse to file" letter for Erbitux, an act which caused
ImClone's stock to plunge. Is it possible for biomedical investigators to balance
the pursuit of profits with the quest for honest science? Did Mendelsohn's financial
stock in the drug cause a conflict of interest? This December 9, 2002 article
from The Scientist discusses this issue and attempts to provide answers
to those types of questions.
Berkeley's Research Pact with
Company May Not Be Renewed Next Year
http://chronicle.com/daily/2002/12/2002121704n.htm
A Swiss biotechnology company, Torrey Mesa Research Institute, a division of
Syngenta, may not be continuing its partnership with the University of California
at Berkeley in the future. Collaborative efforts between Berkeley and Torrey
Mesa began in 1998, and this article from the December 17, 2002 issue of The
Chronicle of Higher Education discusses why the two may end their research
relationship. This partnership between industry and academe was considered controversial
from the start due to the fact that Torrey Mesa is a major player in developing
genetically engineered crops.
Beware the Celebrity Bioethicist
(sub)
http://chronicle.com/prm/weekly/v50/i35/35b01801.htm
Leigh Turner, a member of the School of Social Science at the Institute for
Advanced Study (Princeton) discusses the path some ethicists have taken, and
she examines whether this has been the best route for biotech-related fields.
This article, published in the May 7, 2004 issue of the Chronicle of Higher
Education addresses biotechnology issues that have been the focus of many
individuals and outlines how bioethics can truly contribute to public debates
associated with medicine, health care, and biotechnology.
Bioethics--Ingenta
http://www.ingenta.com/isis/browsing/AllIssues/ingenta?journal=pubinfobike://bpl/biot&startyear=2002&WebLogicSession=PJEN1OngGDBS94mAOfvD|-5659241230871430413/-1052814329/6/7051/7051/7052/7052/7051/-1
Online access is available through Ingenta to the journal Bioethics.
You can access the current volumes as well as those as far back as 1997. The
articles are displayed in a PDF format, and the full text is free of charge.
Bioethics Information Retrieval
Project
http://www.georgetown.edu/research/nrcbl/ir/bioline.htm
Search PubMed or LOCATORplus to access links bioethics information. Don't know
how to search PubMed? This site provides tips on effectively accessing information
in this database. If you don't want to search the database and have some time,
you can request a custom search.
Bush Administration Appoints Human-Subject
Advisory Panel (must be
subscribed to The Chronicle of Higher Education to access)
http://chronicle.com/daily/2003/01/2003010601n.htm
On Friday, January 3, 2003, the Bush Administration announced the names of members
who would be serving on a new human research subjects advisory committee. The
group consists of many bioethics experts, and this January 6, 2003 Chronicle
of Higher Education article outlines the charge of this new panel and discusses
the reactions from those in the academic community.
Conflict of Interest is Widespread
in Biomedical Research, Study Finds (must
be subscribed to The Chronicle of Higher Education to access)
http://chronicle.com/daily/2003/01/2003012202n.htm
Is research that is financed by industry more likely to produce commercially
favorable results? Researchers at the Yale University School of Medicine reviewed
studies related to academic conflict of interest issues, and this article from
the January 22, 2003 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education discusses
the extent of these financial relationships and the problems that may result
from them.
Creating a Child to Save Another
http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-021029bioethics,0,162107.story?coll=chi%2Dtechnology%2Dhed
Should people be allowed to create a child in order to save another? The U.
S. government does not even consider this to be an option, but the British panel,
The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority is beginning to wrestle with
this and other ethical issues surrounding the area of embryo science.
Ethics Council Mulls Aging Research
http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20030307/05
President Bush established the President's Council on Bioethics in 2001, and
the group is now charged with the task of analyzing the ethics of biologically
enhanced humans. Advances in adult and embryonic stem cell research are other
areas being considered by the group. This article from the March 7, 2003 issue
of The Scientist explores other items discussed at the Council's March
6, 2003 meeting, and outlines the paper "Age Retardation: Scientific Possibilities
and Moral Challenges" (http://www.bioethics.gov/background/age_retardation.html),
which acted as a springboard for the talks.
FDA Investigates How Pigs Involved
in Genetic Research Got Sent to Market (must be subscribed to The Chronicle
of Higher Education to access)
http://chronicle.com/daily/2003/02/2003020703n.htm
A University of Illinois bioengineering lab is under investigation after the
FDA discovered that pigs involved in genetic experiments were sent to slaughter.
Even though consumption of the pigs by humans should not pose any health risks,
the FDA wants to determine how 386 pigs were sent to a livestock dealer without
prior approval. This article from the February 7, 2003 issue of The Chronicle
of Higher Education discusses the details of the investigation and the response
by the University of Illinois.
Additional information about this investigation can be found in the following articles:
France Allows Stem Cell Work
http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20040715/01
A new bioethics law adopted by the French Parliament on July 9, 2004 allows
scientists to conduct "embryonic stem cell research." This type of
activity will be allowed in France "within strict parameters," but
human cloning still remains illegal. Additional information about this law can
be found in the July 15, 2004 issue of the Scientist.
Gene Therapy Hits Obstacle
(free registration may be required to access)
http://www.the-scientist.com/yr2002/oct/maher_p26_021028.html
Doctors in France used gene therapy on a child to combat a deadly genetic disease.
The treatment was working well for about 3 years until the therapy probably
led to a leukemia-like syndrome in the child. Gene therapy trials were put on
hold in many countries, and experts urged the U. S. FDA to resume the trials.
Decisions regarding gene therapy are still on hold in the U. S., but the U.K.
continues to do testing with closer monitoring. This article published in The
Scientist explores whether the benefits associated with gene therapy are
worth the risks.
Heal Thyself or Die Trying: Ethicists
Ponder the Propriety of Self-Experimentation
http://www.the-scientist.com/yr2003/jul/prof3_030714.html
The act of self-experimentation is still practiced by some scientists, and it
can prove to be very rewarding in terms of financial and career gains. Due to
ethical panel or institutional review board mechanisms, self-experimentation
is a much more difficult undertaking than in the days when Issac Newton and
Marie Currie did it. This July 14, 2003 issue of The Scientist discusses
whether or not self-experimentation should be continued, ethical issues surrounding
this form of scientific experimentation, and the historical background of this
practice.
House Votes to Ban Cloning--Again
(must be subscribed to The Chronicle of Higher Education to access)
http://chronicle.com/daily/2003/02/2003022801n.htm
On Thursday, February 27, 2003, the U. S. House of Representatives voted again
to make it a crime to create cloned cells, even in cases of medical research.
This article from the February 28, 2003 issue of The Chronicle of Higher
Education discusses this debate over ethics & science, and outlines
the penalties for violating the ban.
Little Evidence for Effectiveness
of Scientific Peer Review
http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7383/241/a
The international Cochrane Collaboration conducted a study of the effects of
peer review on biomedical research. They concluded that this system, which has
been in place for approximately 200 years, does not improve the quality of published
materials in the biomedical field. This article discusses the review that is
the third in a series from the Cochrane Collaboration Methods Group in this
article from the February 1, 2003 issue of bmj.com.
A copy of the review entitled, "Editorial
Peer-Review from Improving the Quality of Reports of Biomedical Studies",
can be found at http://www.update-software.com/Cochrane/MR000016.pdf.
Mixed-Sex Embryos Raise Ethical,
Oversight Concerns
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/health/chi-0307030075jul03.story
A controversial research experiment, conducted by Chicago scientists involving
mixed-sex embryos was discussed at a meeting of the European Society of Human
Reproduction and Embryology in Madrid. These experiments, which used for the
first time human embryos that are part female, part male, were designed to answer
questions about "human embryo development and develop therapies for congenital
diseases." Even though the research was legal in the U. S., numerous ethical
concerns were voiced. Information about the embryos and reactions to this type
of research experimentation are discussed in this article posted in the July
3, 2003 edition of The Chicago Tribune.
**More information about this issue can be found in the article titled Mixed-Cell Embryo Controversy from July 8, 2003 issue of The Scientist. It can be found at http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20030708/01.
National Lab Investigation: Congressional
Committee Hears Whistleblowers' Charges of Univ. of California Mismanagement
http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20030228/05
An investigation by an oversight subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy
& Commerce has indicated that the University of California's laboratory
management system is guilty of wrong-doing and misconduct. Investigators believe
that the cover-up alone has cost taxpayers millions. This article from the February
28, 2003 issue of The Scientist discusses the allegations and provides
links to other related resources.
Penn Anthropologist Fights Subpoenas
for Field Notes Regarding Artificial Heart Surgery She Observed (must be
subscribed to The Chronicle of Higher Education to access)
http://chronicle.com/daily/2003/03/2003030504n.htm
Sheldon Zink, director of the program for transplant policy and ethics at the
University of Pennsylvania's Center for Bioethics is fighting a lawsuit that
may force her to turn over her field notes. Zink observed the transplant operations
of the AbioCor heart on a 51 year old patient, and she says she would rather
go to jail than turn over her notes. Details of the lawsuit and Zink's role
in it are discussed in this article from the March 5, 2003 issue of The Chronicle
of Higher Education.
Bioethics & Bioterrorism
http://www.bioethics.net/hottopics/bioter/
The Center for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Virginia, in collaboration
with The American Journal of Bioethics, has developed this site to provide
information and opinions on bioethical and bioterrorism issues. Resources available
at this site include special reports, "in the news" articles, videos
and books on topics such as small pox, genetically-engineered weapons, anthrax
and vaccinations for biological weapons.
Bioethics Case Studies
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/olc_linkedcontent/bioethics_cases/index.html
Ronnee Yashon, an expert in teaching genetics, ethics and law, developed the
20 different cases studies for this McGraw-Hill site that includes topics ranging
from cloning to organ donation to DNA forensics.
Yashon has written two books, Case Studies in Bioethics I and II, that have been used at all educational levels. Her new book, Landmark Cases for the Science Classroom focuses more on the legal aspects of science.
Bioethics at Iowa State University:
Classroom Resources
http://www.biotech.iastate.edu/Bioethics/classroom_resources.html
This bioethics site contains numerous bioethics case studies. Topics include
cases in agriculture, animals, biotechnology, humans and research ethics, just
to name a few.
Biotech Bioethics on the Web
http://www.upekkha.net/
Numerous links in the area of bioethics are available at this site. These links
are categorizes in areas such as Academic Ethics Groups, News and Information
on Biomedical Research, Patent/Consumer Groups and Educational and Policy Groups.
Recent additions are listed in their own section too.
Biotechnology & Ethics Electronic
Resources
http://www.unf.edu/~mgillis/general.html
Marin Gillis, a visiting professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion
at the University of North Florida, has compiled an annotated list of biotech
and biotech-related Web sites. Several case study resources are included in
Gillis’ selection of materials.
Finding Bioethics Information
http://gateway.library.uiuc.edu/bix/subjguides/bioethics.htm
An online guide, developed by the UIUC Biology Library, designed to help searchers
locate print and electronic resources in the area of bioethics.
HealthWeb: Bioethics
http://www.healthweb.org/browse.cfm?subjectid=28
HealthWeb is a collaborative project between the Southern Illinois University
Medical Library and the HealthWeb project. It is designed for educational purposes
only, and links to various evaluated bioethics resources, including court decisions,
electronic publications and conference information can be found at this site.
Biotechnology Web Page (UIUC)
Social Science Ethics: A Bibliography
Created by Sharon
Stoerger MLS, MBA
©September
30, 2002
Updated January 19, 2007