The Bioethics Podcast

We are living in extraordinary times. For most of the world, the global COVID-19 pandemic is at the forefront of people’s minds. The accompanying uncertainty has been almost palpable, and people are craving every bit of information that they can get their hands on. With most sporting events and other activities cancelled or delayed, the “armchair coaches” have had to turn to other interests; now most people have become “armchair epidemiologists,” debating the merits of mask wearing and physical distancing, weighing the risks of trying to reach heard immunity before a vaccine, and analyzing every facet of the government’s response from local to federal levels.

In this episode of The Bioethics podcast, CBHD Research Scholar Anna Vollema and CBHD Research Analyst Heather Zeiger join CBHD Executive Director Matthew Eppinette for a discussion of the Netflix documentary film Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever. The film is a profile of Bryan Johnson, a tech entrepreneur who is devoting his fortune to extending his life through careful and detailed monitoring of various biomarkers, as well as experimental treatments and other methods.  Show NotesTrailer: https://youtu.be/kf9e1o7rUeo?si=WlDYOepN3nId5BS7 Watch on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81757532 Katie Drummond, "Bryan Johnson Is Going to Die," Wired https://www.wired.com/story/big-interview-bryan-johnson/ Todd T.W. Daly, Chasing Methuselah: Theology, the Body, and Slowing Human Aging, Cascade Books, 2021, https://a.co/d/dhZLvuv In Chasing Methuselah, Todd Daly examines the modern biomedical anti-aging project from a Christian perspective, drawing on the ancient wisdom of the Desert Fathers, who believed that the incarnation opened a way for human life to regain the longevity of Adam and the biblical patriarchs through prayer and fasting. Daly balances these insights with the christological anthropology of Karl Barth, discussing the implications for human finitude, fear of death, and the use of anti-aging technology, weaving a path between outright condemnation and uncritical enthusiasm.Denyse O'Leary, "A Science-Based Case for the Immortality of the Human Soul," CBHD https://www.cbhd.org/intersections/a-science-based-case-for-the-immortality-of-the-human-soul Kent Dunnington, Addiction and Virtue: Beyond the Models of Disease and Choice, IVP Academic, 2011, https://a.co/d/fc8bRLQ Neither of the two dominant models (disease or choice) adequately accounts for the experience of those who are addicted or of those who are seeking to help them. In this interdisciplinary work, Kent Dunnington brings the neglected resources of philosophical and theological analysis to bear on the problem of addiction. Drawing on the insights of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, he formulates an alternative to the usual reductionistic models.

This poem, written by and read for us by CBHD Research Scholar Anna Vollema, intersperses poetic reflection with quotations from Scripture and excerpts from “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Read the poem at https://www.cbhd.org/intersections/emmanuel-the-word-made-flesh We are very excited about a new era for CBHD at LeTourneau University! The alignment of mission, vision, and values between CBHD and LeTourneau is exceptional. We are in awe of the work God has done. Please remember us in your end-of-year giving.You can mail checks to the address below or give online at https://www.letu.edu/development/give-now.html (Choose Other as the Designation and specify CBHD in the box)LeTourneau UniversityCBHDPO Box 7333Longview, TX 75607-9913

We're moving to Texas! We are deeply grateful to our supporters and donors who have stood by us as we sought a new home! Read the full announcement: https://www.cbhd.org/announcements/cbhd-to-letu If you would like to make a celebratory gift for the Center to help launch our work at LeTourneau, you can mail checks to the address below or give online athttps://www.letu.edu/development/give-now.html(Choose Other as the Designation and specify CBHD in the box)LeTourneau UniversityCBHDPO Box 7333Longview, TX 75607-9913

When we desire to walk well with those who suffer, it is a beautiful reflection of God’s heart in his children. When we are invited into the sacred spaces of loss, we can feel paralyzed in knowing how to do it.Read the piece on our Intersections ForumKirsten’s website, Faithful Paradox

This episode of the podcast features Executive Director Matthew Eppinette's update from this year’s conference on CBHD’s future in light of the changes coming at our host institution, Trinity. Show Notes:Give Now: https://www.tiu.edu/giving/bioethics/ Our Latest LetterCBHD Case for Giving

Lucidity Pictures and Cradled in Glass: https://luciditypictures.com/projects/cradled-in-glass/International Institute or Restorative Reproductive Medicine: https://iirrm.org/Register for Living in the Biotech Century: The First 25 Years https://www.cbhd.org/conference

Show Notes "AI and All Its Splendors," Christianity Today "AI Is Making Dating Even Harder," Men’s Health Magazine "Moral Resilience: Nurses experience deep suffering when they can’t act according to their moral compass. Our research shows a way forward," Aeon "What is a Relational Virtue?" Philosophical Studies

We’re moving to Texas! Read the full announcement: https://www.cbhd.org/announcements/cbhd-to-letuWe are deeply grateful to our supporters and donors who have stood by us as we sought a new home. If you would like to make a celebratory gift for the Center to help launch our work at LeTourneau, you can mail checks to the address below or give online athttps://www.letu.edu/development/give-now.html(Choose Other as the Designation and specify CBHD in the box)LeTourneau UniversityCBHDPO Box 7333Longview, TX 75607-9913

We’re moving to Texas! Read the full announcement at https://www.cbhd.org/announcements/cbhd-to-letu We are deeply grateful to our supporters and donors who have stood by us as we sought a new home. If you would like to make a celebratory gift for the Center to help launch our work at LeTourneau, you can mail checks to the address below or give online athttps://www.letu.edu/development/give-now.html(Choose Other as the Designation and specify CBHD in the box)LeTourneau UniversityCBHDPO Box 7333Longview, TX 75607-9913

Show Notes: “The World Isn’t Ready for What Comes After I.V.F.” by Ari Schulman, New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/opinion/ivf-debate.html “Open Wallets, Empty Hearts” by Ari Schulman, The New Atlantis https://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/open-wallets-empty-hearts   “Silicon Valley’s Trendy Ethic: Effective Altruism” by Heather Zeiger, Mind Matters News https://mindmatters.ai/2024/09/silicon-valleys-trendy-ethic-effective-altruism/ “I was adopted from China as a baby. I’m still coming to terms with that” by Cindy Zhu Huijgen, New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/15/opinion/china-adopted-babies-identity.html   The New Atlantis Donation Page: https://www.thenewatlantis.com/collections/2024-annual-campaign   CBHD Donation Page: https://www.tiu.edu/giving/bioethics/

In this episode of The Bioethics Podcast, we have one of the most powerful pieces we have ever published. It is read for us by the author, Lori Way, and it comes from her experience caring for her husband through illness, recovery, and a “new normal.” This piece is part of our "Faces of the Church Series" of articles, which are posted on our Intersections Forum at our website, https://www.cbhd.org/ Our Intersections Forum is meant to discuss, equip, and inspire pastors, ministry leaders, and laypeople regarding the real-life issues people are experiencing and seeking Christian guidance on at the intersection of medicine, technology, and the Christian life.

In this episode of the podcast, CBHD Research Scholar Anna Vollema and CBHD Research Analyst Heather Zeiger join CBHD Executive Director Matthew Eppinette for a discussion of several recent bioethics-related news items. Support the work of The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity: ⁠https://www.tiu.edu/giving/bioethics/⁠ Show Notes: “What Silicon Valley’s New Ethical Thinking Gets Right–And Wrong,” ⁠Christianity Today⁠ Todd Daly, "The New Asceticism: Biohacking the Body for Greater Longevity," ⁠Dignitas⁠ "AI Has Become a Technology of Faith," ⁠The Atlantic⁠ "This doctor has helped more than 400 patients die. How many assisted deaths are too many?" ⁠National Post⁠ George Orwell, ⁠Why I Write⁠ J. Todd Billings, ⁠The End of the Christian Life⁠ Allen Verhey, ⁠The Christian Art of Dying⁠ Support the work of The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity: ⁠⁠https://www.tiu.edu/giving/bioethics/⁠⁠

We at CBHD have been addressing reproductive technologies throughout our history. In 2017, at our 24th annual conference, we held a colloquium on Catholic, Protestant, & Orthodox Approaches to Reproductive Technologies. Three speakers walked through their convictional approach to these issues, each in turn.  This episode of the bioethics podcast is the third of three that carries these talks.  In the first episode, Marie T. Hilliard, JCL, PhD, RN, of the National Catholic Bioethics Center. presented A Catholic Approach to Reproductive Technologies.  The second episode had Scott B. Rae, PhD, of Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, with Protestant Approaches to Reproductive Technologies.  The series concludes in this episode with Gayle E. Woloschak, PhD, on an Orthodox approach.  Dr. Woloschak is Professor of Radiation Oncology, Radiology, and Cell and Molecular Biology in the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.  She is also adjunct faculty at Lutheran School of Theology, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary.

This episode is the second in a series of three looking at reproductive technologies from Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox perspectives.  In the first episode, Marie T. Hilliard of the National Catholic Bioethics Center presented a Catholic approach to Reproductive technologies.  This episode has Scott B. Rae, PhD, of Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, with a protestant approach.  The series will conclude in the next episode with Gayle E. Woloschak, PhD, on an Orthodox approach.

Reproductive technologies, especially in vitro fertilization (IVF), remain at the forefront of the news and societal conversation in 2024. In 2017, at our 24th annual conference, we held a colloquium on Catholic, Protestant, & Orthodox Approaches to Reproductive Technologies. Three speakers walked through their convictional approach to these issues, each in turn.  This episode, then, begins a series of three episodes that will carry these talks.  The first, in this episode, is by Marie T. Hilliard, JCL, PhD, RN, of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, presenting a Catholic approach to Reproductive technologies.  The next episode will feature Scott B. Rae, PhD, with a Protestant approach, and the series will conclude with Gayle E. Woloschak, PhD, on an Orthodox approach to reproductive technology.

Show Notes: Conference Information and Registration: https://www.cbhd.org/conference Register for the Friday Night Dinner: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/9fyzevg/lp/c604e9b9-db55-45c4-85f9-81ae6554caf8

Our 31st annual conference, "The Future of Health: Faith, Ethics, and Our MedTech World," will take place June 27-29 of this year on the Campus of Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. For more information and to register, visit https://www.cbhd.org/conference

CBHD Research Analyst Heather Zeiger interviews Yves Moreau, professor of engineering at the University of Leuven, Belgium. His research is located at the interface between artificial intelligence and genetics, focusing in particular on mass surveillance technology. SHOW NOTES "Unethical studies on Chinese minority groups are being retracted — but not fast enough, critics say," Nature, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00170-0  "US company must stop supplying China’s regime with DNA surveillance tech," The Hill, https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4421537-us-company-must-stop-supplying-chinas-regime-with-dna-surveillance-tech/  "U.S.-made Dna Id Equipment Is Being Sold to Xinjiang’s Police," MindMatters, https://mindmatters.ai/2021/07/u-s-made-dna-id-equipment-is-being-sold-to-xinjiangs-police/  "China: Dna Phenotyping Profiles Racial Minorities," MindMatters, https://mindmatters.ai/2019/12/china-dna-phenotyping-profiles-racial-minorities/  "A Christian Response to Xinjiang: Technological Repression and Cultural Genocide," Dignitas, https://www.cbhd.org/dignitas-articles/a-christian-response-to-xinjiang-technological-repression-and-cultural-genocide 

As you may know, April marks the end of our fiscal year, so our Executive Director, Dr. Eppinette, provides updates on some of the work we’ve been doing and some of the plans we have for the future. Read the full letter Give Now: https://give.tiu.edu/CBHD