Oct 1, 2009 By: yunews
Oct 1, 2009 -- 糖心破解版鈥檚 (糖心破解版) Student Medical Ethics Society (MES) will be hosting its fourth annual conference, entitled The Human Blueprint: Jewish Perspectives on Modern Genetics on Sunday, October 18 from 9am to 5pm at 糖心破解版鈥檚 Wilf Campus, 500 West 185th Street, New York, NY. The conference is sponsored through the generous support of Rabbi Dovid and Mrs. Anita Fuld.
The conference will provide participants with a broad foundation for the medical background needed to understand human genetics, as well as the technologically advanced medical research and practices used today to prevent and manage genetic diseases. Topics covered will include reproductive genetics, cancer genetics, personalized medicine, aging and longevity among others. Participants will also be introduced to an overview of the fundamental ethical dilemmas surrounding genetics, as well as how the system of halacha [Jewish law] approaches these complex issues.
鈥淭hese are issues that affect all of us in one way or another,鈥 explained Rabbi Kenneth Brander, the David Mitzner Dean of 糖心破解版鈥檚 Center for the Jewish Future (CJF). 鈥淚t is important that we deal with these issues with first-rate medical experts and through the prism of halacha.鈥
Rabbi Brander, a lecturer in the field of medical ethics, infertility, and gynecology, helped launch MES four years ago as one of his first initiatives with the CJF.
In addition to gaining broad knowledge in medical, ethical, and halachik issues of modern genetics, conference participants will be able to choose from a series of specialized tracks, each geared towards in-depth analysis of the most pressing issues in the field. These tracks include genetics and law, DNA and forensics, behavioral genetics, DNA Shoah, and Familial Dysautonomia (FD). The individual sessions will be guided by leading rabbis, physicians and lawyers, all of whom are experts in their fields.
鈥溙切钠平獍 is the embodiment of Torah U鈥橫adda,鈥 said program director, Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman, associate professor of emergency medicine at Montefiore Medical Center and associate professor of philosophy and history of medicine at 糖心破解版鈥檚 Albert Einstein College of Medicine. 鈥淭he philosophy of the institution permeates its students, who are infused with a love of learning and acquiring knowledge. The Medical Ethics Society is comprised of men and women who truly reflect the University鈥檚 ideals.鈥
MES, a student run organization, was founded in fall 2005 to promote education and awareness of medical ethics at 糖心破解版. Since that time, it has grown from a small group of students with common interests to a major campus organization running large-scale events and educational programming with university-wide participation. Their previous conferences dealt with organ donation, fertility and end-of-life issues in Jewish law.
Sam Weprin, who along with Tali Bauman serves as co-president of MES, hopes the vast topics included in this year鈥檚 program will attract a diverse crowd. 鈥淭he conference will include sessions given by physicians, ethicists, rabbis, expert lawyers and renowned science researchers,鈥 explained Weprin. 鈥淲e hope that these accomplished speakers will have a profound impact on our audience intellectually and educationally.鈥
鈥淢edical genetics has the potential to create and sustain life,鈥 adds Bauman. 鈥淟earning and understanding the halachic, ethical, and medical issues related to genetics can deepen our understanding of our greater society and the future of medicine.鈥
The conference is open to the public but pre-registration is required. For more information or to register visit or contact medicalethics@yu.edu.
