Expert Panel at BIO 2003 to Examine Ethical Controversies

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 16, 2003)—The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today announced a Bioethics Roundtable featuring prominent scientists, religious and secular ethicists, researchers, thought leaders and patients for the BIO 2003 convention, June 21-25 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

George Strait, former ABC News science reporter and now vice chancellor at the University of California at Berkeley will moderate the panel discussion.

The event, entitled "Scientific Exploration: Should there be Limits?" will feature a discussion about new scientific discoveries and what impact they will have on our society and also whether they have crossed currently accepted ethical boundaries.

"With the completion of the human genome and other scientific breakthroughs announced daily, it is important that we take a look at where biotechnology is headed," said Michael J. Werner, vice president of bioethics at BIO. "Scientific exploration has taken giant leaps in recent years and will continue to advance at a rapid pace. The scientific community must recognize the ethical implications of these discoveries and discuss them openly with the public."

"We have assembled probably one of the most prestigious groups ever to explore these issues," Werner said.

What:	Bioethics Roundtable—Scientific Exploration: Should there be Limits?
When:	Sunday, June 22, 2003 1:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Panelists:	Simon Best, President, Ardana Bioscience Ltd. Arthur Caplan, Ph.D., Director, Center for Bioethics Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D., Director, National Human Genome Research Institute Rev. Bob Edgar, General Secretary, National Council of Churches Kevin FitzGerald, Ph.D., Lombardi Cancer Center Francis Fukuyama, Ph.D., Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University Linda Golodner, President, National Consumers League J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., President and Chairman, Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives Florence Wambugu, Ph.D., CEO, A Harvest for Biotech Foundation International

Registration is complimentary for credentialed news media. To register, please visit www.bio.org. Only reporters and editors working full-time for print or broadcast news organizations may register on-site with valid media credentials. Reporters are urged to register as soon as possible.

BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.