2007 Press Releases
“Great Ideas” Series Launched by American Expert on Biomedical Ethics
December 11, 2007
On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, the Fulbright Foundation in Greece introduces the “Great Ideas” series in support of educational and cultural connections between Greece and the United States. Major sponsor of the series is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. The first American expert to visit Greece as part of the “Great Ideas” series is acclaimed biomedical ethics professor Dr. Ruth Faden, who will speak to public and student audiences in Athens and Thessaloniki on the topics of human enhancement and pandemics.
In Thessaloniki, Dr. Faden will discuss “The Moral Challenges Posed by Pandemics.” The event, co-organized by the American College of Thessaloniki, University Division of Anatolia College, will take place on Monday, December 17, 2007, at 6:30 p.m., at the Raphael Hall Performing Arts Center, Anatolia College. Dr. Faden will focus on the morally challenging dimensions of pandemics and will discuss how the medical and economic burdens of a possible pandemic will fall disproportionately on the poor and disadvantaged.
In Athens, Dr. Ruth Faden will headline a program co-organized by the Eugenides Foundation, and will lead a discussion on the topic of “Better, Healthier, More Beautiful: The Ethics of Biomedical Human Enhancement,” on Wednesday, December 19, 2007, at 6:30 p.m., at the Eugenides Foundation. In her presentation, Dr. Faden will discuss ways in which medical means are currently used to improve our health and ultimately enhance human beings. She will also discuss the moral worries about biomedical enhancement related to safety and eugenics, as well as the challenges involved in controlling such technologies.
Dr. Faden is Executive Director of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, and Philip Franklin Wagley Professor of Biomedical Ethics at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is the author and editor of numerous books and articles on biomedical ethics and health policy. Dr. Faden has served on several national advisory committees and has received numerous awards for her research on topics such as bioethics and public policy, ethics and neuroscience, and ethics and bioterrorism.
The goal of the “Great Ideas” series is to bring noted American experts and artists to Greece to perform and discuss current topics of interest to the Greek and American people. Thus far, two other noted American speakers are slated to participate in the series: Glenn Lowry, Director, Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), and Dr. Richard Levin, President, Yale University.
The series is organized with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Athens and the U.S. Consulate in Thessaloniki. Communication sponsors for the programs featuring Dr. Ruth Faden are METRO Newspaper, Pathfinder.gr, and Makedonia Newspaper.
The Raphael Hall Performing Arts Center is located in Anatolia College, Pylaia, Thessaloniki. The Eugenides Foundation in Athens is located at 387 Syngrou Ave. (Entrance from 11 Pentelis Street.) Simultaneous translation will be provided for the discussions in both Thessaloniki and Athens. Admission is free. For more information please visit http://www.fulbright.gr/, http://www.snfoundation.org/ or our information sheet.