Hutton Honors College

Discussion Lunch with Bioethicist LeRoy Walters of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University.

This is a small-group program and requires participants to sign up in advance. Participants must be IU undergraduates and must sign up using the established procedures. For complete sign-up procedures, see http://www.indiana.edu/%7Eiubhonor/hdextra/signup.php.

When is genetic intervention permissible? To prevent severe and irreversible damage to a fetus? To cure a neurological disease? To improve a child's IQ? LeRoy Walters of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University is considered one of the founders of the modern bioethics movement and has devoted most of his research to ethical issues in human genetics, including the ethics of human embryonic stem cell research, gene-transfer and gene-therapy research and treatment, and genetic engineering. Widely published and highly regarded both nationally and internationally, Professor Walters is a very high profile member of the guild of bioethics. He served for three terms on the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee of the National Institutes of Health, which reviews human-gene-therapy protocols. Professor Walters has also served as a consultant on stem cell research to the National Bioethics Advisory Committee and to President George W. Bush.

Dr. Walters will deliver the third annual Matthew Vandivier Sims Memorial Lecture, "Five Policy Options for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: An International Perspective," at 4 p.m. (Thursday, March 11) in Student Building 150. The lecture is free and open to the public.

The Matthew Vandivier Sims Memorial Lecture was established in 2002 to honor the memory of Matthew Vandivier Sims, who died in infancy. Intended to open a discussion of issues in responsible communication among patients, families, and professional care givers, the series is a collaboration between Matthew's family and friends and the Poynter Center for the Study of Ethics and American Institutions. Its goal is to help inspire thoughtful reflection on the difficult issues that surround decision making about care for newborns, children, and others. Matthew's parents, Damon and Suzette Sims, will also participate in the Honors College/Wells Scholars Program lunch with Professor Walters.