KNOXVILLE — The cost, access and delivery of healthcare affects everyone in the world. Healthcare is big business in America and its role is a hotly debated topic in government, business and the media.
With powerful pharmaceutical companies, healthcare corporations and expensive medical technology, what is the proper role of for-profit business in biomedicine and the delivery of healthcare?
These and other relevant issues will be discussed by leading bioethicists and business ethicists at a University of Tennessee conference, -Ethics and the Business of Biomedicine,- April 6-8 at UT and the Knoxville Hilton.
-The goal of our conference is to make progress in determining how companies should manage difficult ethical issues. Our conference is one of the first to focus on these cutting edge issues,- said Denis Arnold, conference chair and UT assistant professor of philosophy. -We are especially pleased to have so many of the nation-s leading ethicists participating in this event.-
Professionals in medicine, business, law and academia will benefit from the sessions, which are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, and interested participants should register to guarantee a seat.
The conference kicks off with -Money, Morality and Medicine,- a panel discussion at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 6 in the auditorium of the University Center. UT Chancellor Loren Crabtree will open the panel, and the discussion will feature representatives from Pfizer and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, among others. Each will discuss the ethics of healthcare and the issues facing their role and field.
The conference continues throughout Friday and Saturday with leading experts from Harvard, Georgetown and Stanford universities, among others, presenting original academic papers.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for students, faculty and members of the local community to interact with many of the most senior and respected bioethicists and business ethicists working today,” said Arnold. -The contemporary debates in healthcare revolve around the criticism of drug marketing, which some say undermine the doctor/patient relationship, the state of healthcare in underdeveloped countries and arguments that the need for innovation legitimizes the high price of drugs,- said Arnold.
Academic presentations will be held April 7 in the University Center-s Shiloh Room and at the Knoxville Hilton on April 8. For a complete schedule or to register, visit http://web.utk.edu/~philosop/biomedconf.html.
For more information, contact Denis Arnold at darnold1@utk.edu or (865) 974-3255.
Specific conference presenters and commentators include
— Norman Daniels, Ph.D., professor of ethics and population health, Harvard University
— Michael Stahl, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Management, UT Knoxville
— Mary V. Rorty, Ph.D., Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics
— Norman E. Bowie, Ph.D., Andersen Chair in Corporate Social Responsibility, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
— George Khushf, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy, University of South Carolina
— Glenn Graber, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, UT Knoxville
— Daniel Callahan, Ph.D., senior fellow, Harvard University Medical School; director of international programs, the Hastings Center
— Paul T. Menzel, professor of philosophy and provost emeritus, Pacific Lutheran University
— Richard DeGeorge, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, University of Kansas
— John Hardwig, Ph.D., professor and head of philosophy, UT Knoxville
— Tom Beauchamp, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, senior research scholar, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University
— Patricia Werhane, Ph.D., Ruffin Professor of Business Ethics, University of Virginia; Wicklander Chair in Business Ethics, DePaul University
— Carl Elliott, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of bioethics, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
— E. Haavi Morreim, Ph.D., professor of bioethics, UT Memphis
— Denis G. Arnold, assistant professor of philosophy, UT Knoxville
— George Brenkert, professor of business ethics, Georgetown University
— Gary Pulsinelli, J.D., Ph.D., associate professor of law, UT Knoxville
— Laurie Zoloth, Ph.D., professor of medical ethics, Northwestern University
— Charles Reynolds, Ph.D., professor of religious studies, UT Knoxville
— Daniel Wikler, Ph.D., Mary B. Saltonstall Professor of Population Ethics, Harvard University
— Alfred D. Beasley, M.D., director of graduate medical education, UT Knoxville
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Contact:
Beth Gladden, media relations (865-974-9008; beth.gladden@tennessee.edu)
Denis Arnold, philosophy (865-974-7219, darnold1@utk.edu)