“Perspectives on Life’s Technologies”

With Gayle Woloschak, PhD

Professor of Radiation Oncology, Radiology, and Cell and Molecular Biology
Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
DMin, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

October 3, 2022
Online at 7:00 pm ET

Register here for this Zoom meeting.

Most ethical reflections on technology determine that the technology itself is neither good nor bad, but the uses of it determine its appropriate and inappropriate uses. This is the case for most beginning of life technologies including stem cell research, in vitro fertilization, gene editing and others. Much depends on understanding the science behind these procedures; some approaches might be considered to be ethical while others may not depending HOW the work will be done. The same can be said about end of life technologies and even life-extension technologies. The goal of this presentation is: (1) to provide an overview of science-religion considerations; (2) to reflect on some of these beginning and end of life technologies to discern approaches that might be considered appropriate; (3) to provide some perspectives on considerations for the future; and (4) to discuss the importance of continued dialogue on these issues.

Gayle E. Woloschak is Professor of Radiation Oncology, Radiology, and Cell and Molecular Biology in the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. Gayle received her B.S. in Biological Sciences, from Youngstown State University and a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from the University of Toledo (Medical College of Ohio). She did her postdoctoral training at the Mayo Clinic, and then moved to Argonne National Laboratory until 2001. She is also Associate Dean of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs in The Graduate School at Northwestern University. Dr. Woloschak also has a DMin degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where her work focused on bioethical issues. She teaches science and religion classes at Lutheran School of Theology Chicago and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.