Presented by the Alden March Bioethics Institute of Albany Medical College, in collaboration with the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities, the Nelson Rockefeller Institute of Government, the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics, the University of Pennsylvania Department of Medical Ethics, the University of Virginia Center for Bioethics, Albany Law School and The American Journal of Bioethics. Sponsored by the Office of Continuing Education of Albany Medical College.

Political influence has an evolving role in bioethics and the emergence of new politically active bioethics institutions. Some argue that bioethics is becoming politicized. Others argue that it is coming into its own in a political world. Still others argue that a long-standing political bias in bioethics is at long last being corrected. With New Yorkıs awe-inspiring state capitol as a backdrop, those questions will be discussed and debated with the goal of reaching some areas of general agreement, clarifying disagreements and thinking broadly about the future of bioethics in a democratic society.

The inaugural, keynote John A. Balint Lecture will be given by Edmund Pellegrino. Others confirmed speakers include: Nigel Cameron, Arthur Caplan, Eric Cohen, Richard Doerflinger, Jeffrey Kahn, Glenn McGee, David Magnus, Jonathan Moreno, William F. May, Wesley Smith, Paul Root Wolpe and Laurie Zoloth.

We are currently soliciting contributed papers to be presented in highly interactive sessions at the conference. Those interested should submit a 250-word abstract describing original work that does not substantially overlap with papers that have been published or that are simultaneously submitted to a journal or a conference with proceedings. Topics of interest include but are not limited to: the emerging role of religious and politically-affiliated bioethics centers, the difference between academic and political advocacy, the possibilities for dialog across political lines, and the effect politics is likely to have on a variety of debates in bioethics.

The authors of accepted submissions will be invited to present their work at the conference. Presentations on these papers should not exceed 20 minutes in length. Accepted papers will also be published in the conference syllabus and considered for publication in The American Journal of Bioethics.

General & Format Guidelines for Abstract Submission

1. Abstracts must not exceed 250 words
2. Abstracts should contain the names, degrees and institutions of all authors
3. Abstracts should contain the contact information of at least one author (the submitting author), including email address
4. Abstracts should be submitted to Jamie Salm at jamie.salm@bioethics.net with a subject line of "Ethics Symposium Proposal"
5. Deadline for abstract submission is June 1, 2006
6. Email notification of accepted abstracts will be sent to the submitting author by June 16, 2006.
7. The presenting author(s) of a contributed paper must register for the conference and pay the registration fee by July 1, 2006, in order to have the paper included in the conference proceedings.

Accreditation
Albany Medical College is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Albany Medical College designates this educational activity for a maximum of 12.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

For additional information, please contact Jamie Michelle Salm at 518.262.6082 or jamie.salm@bioethics.net.