St Mary’s University College Twickenham London
At a glance Human Diversity: Useless or Universal? Activities in Brief Consciousness: Can we explain it? Globethics.net
Issue 5 Winter 2011 www.smuc.ac.uk
1 2 3 4
CBETBulletin
Newsletter for the Centre for Bioethics & Emerging Technologies
Human Dignity: Useless or Universal?
He suggested that the critics of human dignity should be taken seriously and that a multidimensional approach was needed in the presentation of human dignity that encompasses both absolute human dignity, with which all humans are endowed and contingent human dignity which they subsequently acquire. His lecture provoked intense discussion which continued over dinner in the comfortable surroundings of the Lensbury’s Wimbledon Room. From Saturday morning through to Sunday lunchtime, the format of the conference centred around plenary lectures followed by break-out discussion groups allowing ample opportunity for more detailed discussion and interaction between delegates. In an attempt to fully examine the breadth of the concept, human dignity was addressed from four angles: biodiversity, bioethics and law, biotechnology and end of life issues. Dr David Plackett, Senior Scientist in Biopolymers at Denmark’s Risa National Laboratory for Sustainable
“Human dignity is a useless concept” asserted Prof Ruth
conference was one element of a funded project to
Energy presented the plenary lecture on biodiversity,
Macklin in an editorial written for the British Medical
create an impact-network and media monitoring
exploring the character and nature of biodiversity, before
Journal (BMJ) in 2003. She deemed it to be merely a
observatory across Europe in association with three other
developing the case in favour of sustainability and the key
slogan and said that little would be lost if the concept
European partners: The Anscombe Bioethics Centre,
role ‘human dignity’ has in driving this forward.
was eliminated from discussion of important issues.
Oxford, the Catholic University of Leuven and the
Supporting this presentation, Prof Geoff Hunt gave a
Macklin’s editiorial runs against a long history of the term
Scottish Council on Human Bioethics.
short introductory talk which explained why the issue of
in its special philosophical use and consideration in
The conference opened with a reception in the
biodiversity should be regarded as intimately connected
various religions and more recently explicitly referred to in
Waldegrave Drawing Room at St Mary’s University
with that of human dignity. He argued that we must
international documents such as the Council of Europe’s
College, London where delegates were warmly
expand dignity from something we have into something
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and
welcomed by both the Principal, Prof Philip Esler and
that we are or ought to be. That is, there is a significant
Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application
Prof Geoff Hunt, Director of CBET (based at St Mary’s).
difference between ‘having dignity’ and ‘being dignified’
of Biology and Medicine and the UNESCO Declaration on
Prof Raymond Hide CBE, FRS then gave some
and that the latter is often ignored. There is nothing
the Human Genome and Human Rights. But, is Macklin
introductory comments about the vital importance of
dignified in the human race having exterminated nearly
right?
dialogue between scientists, philosophers, theologians
one-third of all other creatures on the planet in the next
and politicians, illustrating this from his own experience
40 years at the current rate.
Over 50 delegates and guests from across Europe gathered at The Lensbury Centre, Teddington, London
as an eminent physicist, previously at MIT and Oxford
over the weekend of 9th-11th September 2011, to
and having served on the Pontifical Academy of Sciences
of the concept of human dignity in bioethics arise from a
explore this very question and begin to assess whether
at the Vatican.
lack of distinction between two different roles that this
human dignity (HD) is useless or has universal value. Hosted by the Centre for Bioethics and Emerging Technology (CBET) at St Mary’s University College, the
This was followed by the keynote address given by
Many of the misunderstandings surrounding the value
notion plays in this field: one as an overarching policy
Dr David Kirchhoffer, a South African theologian now
principle, and the other as a moral standard for patient
based in the Australian Catholic University in Brisbane.
care.
CBET Bulletin Issue 5 Winter 2011 | 1
Human Dignity: Useless or Univeral? Continued ... three kinds of dignity helped to inform and build his main
conference then concluded with a closing summary and
Andorno’s plenary lecture on bioethics, law and human
This proposal set the context for Dr Roberto
argument on the ethics of care and an integrated view of
final address by Prof David A. Jones, who delivered a
dignity. Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer at the Ethics
dignity. This particular presentation stimulated much
tour de force including some closing comments about
Centre of the University of Zurich, Switzerland,
subsequent discussion amongst the audience during the
HD and vulnerability. “Human dignity is measured not so
Dr Andorno offered a nuanced and engaging presentation
short Q&A session, seminar discussions and the rest of
much by accountancy, but by encounter”, was just one
which contributed some key ideas and material for later
the conference in general.
pithy aside.
discussion in the break-out groups. Familiar territory for the debate surrounding human
Helping to bring the various strands of discussion
Many seasoned conference delegates commented on
together, Sunday morning gave opportunity for reflection
what an enjoyable conference it had been and how there
dignity is often found in conversations pertaining to
on several levels. Mass was celebrated in St Mary’s
was a real richness and depth in the learning experience
biotechnology. Drawing upon his extensive experience as
University College Chapel by Dr Michael Kirwan, Head of
in bringing together such a diverse group of professions
a member of the European Commission’s European
Theology at Heythrop College, London. His homily on the
and how their thinking had been profoundly widened.
Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies, Rev
nature of forgiveness dovetailed wonderfully into the HD
Many new ongoing professional and research networking
Prof Emmanuel Agius, Dean of Theology at the University
theme of the conference. Also on Sunday morning, the
relationships were established and consideration is being
of Malta provided some useful commentary and
Japanese film ‘Departures’ was screened. This film won
given to making the conference a biannual event.
reflections on the challenge of embedding human dignity
the Oscar for Best Foreign Film in 2010 and is one of the
in EU politics on biotechnologies such as patenting
most powerful films demonstrating HD ever made. Many
Audio recordings of the plenary lectures can be found
inventions involving human embryonic stem cells.
delegates expressed how much they valued seeing this
online here http://extranet.smuc.ac.uk/events-
film and how they planned to use it in their own teaching
conferences/human-dignity-in-bioethics/Pages/
programmes.
default.aspx. Papers from the conference will also be
Bringing the plenary sessions to a close, Dr Carlo Leget, Associate Professor of Ethics of Care at the University of Tilburg spoke on HD in the care of the dying. His lucid discussion and critique of a thesis based around
Activities in brief
The film was followed by a plenary feedback session from each of the seminar groups of the previous day. The
published in the CBET journal, Human Reproduction and Genetic Ethics.
As part of CBET’s ongoing engagement with the
Prof Geoff Hunt has recently been accepted as a
intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation
member of the Society of Experimental Biology, and also
in Science and Technology (COST), particularly in regard
as a member of the EU’s NanoSafety Cluster of projects
to COST-FA090 Action, Dr Erden taught a session on
dealing with health and toxicological aspects of
‘Ethics, Communication and Safety in the Use of Polymer
nanotechnology (see www.nanosafetycluster.eu).
Nanoparticles for Food Packaging’, as part of a Short
Prof Geoff Hunt gave a lecture on "nanotechnology’s
CBET’s Artificial Intelligence Activities
Training School ‘Deepening the Knowledge in the Field of
contribution to a low carbon economy" at the Hazards
Nanomaterials for Food Packaging and Other Potential
Forum workshop on 29th November 2011 at the
‘‘Wittgenstein on Simile as the “Best Thing” in
Uses’ in November 2011. The School was held at
Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET), London.
Philosophy’, was the title of a recent journal article written
University Sts Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, R.
The other two speakers on the panel with him were John
by Dr Yasemin J. Erden and published in Philosophical
Macedonia.
Armstrong, Head of Engineering Governance and
Investigations, July 2011. As part of CBET’s ongoing participation in work
As part of The Society for the Study of Artificial
Process Safety for E.ON UK, who spoke on power
Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB) and the
stations, and Peter Baker, Deputy Director and Head of
concerning the ethical and social implications of
International Association for Computing and Philosophy
Chemical Industries Division, at the Health & Safety
nanotechnology, in September Dr Erden attended
(IACAP) World Congress 2012 (hosted by University of
Executive, who spoke on regulatory perspectives. The
‘Ethical, Social and Legal Dimensions of Nanomaterials’,
Birmingham) in honour of Alan Turing, widely considered
meeting of engineers and environmental scientists was
a European Science Foundation Meeting on Human
to be the father of computer science and artificial
chaired by Eddie Morland, Chief Executive of the Health
Nanotoxicology and Nanomedicine held in London.
intelligence, a special symposium will be taking place
and Safety Laboratory (HSL) and was summarised by
entitled ‘Computing and Philosophy: Computing,
Mike Chrimes Director, Engineering Policy & Innovation,
Communication and Safety in the Use of PNFP’, for the
Philosophy and the Question of Biological-Machine
Institution of Civil Engineers (see
book Ecosustainable Polymer Nanomaterials for Food
Hybrids’. Dr Erden has been appointed Symposium
www.hazardsforum.org.uk).
Packaging (to be published by Brill) and a book review of
Executive-Officer for this symposium. She has also been
“Embodiment and the Inner Life: Cognition and
recently appointed as Vice-leader, Inter Group Activity
they perceive to be the main safety issues surrounding
Consciousness in the Space of Possible Minds” for
(young scientists) ‘Making the Future of Science in PNFP’
nanotechnology has now been published in
publication in the journal, Cognitive Computation.
until May 2012 as well as co-editor for a special issue of
Nanotechnology Perceptions Vol 7, (2011) 82-98. Prof
Cognitive Computation (published by Springer), entitled
Hunt designed and coordinated the survey which came
London), co-authored an article ‘Computing and
‘Computational Creativity, Intelligence and Autonomy’
out of a ‘nano-safety’ conference in Prague, supported
Philosophy, The Society for the Study of Artificial
(Publication date in 2012) until June 2012.
by the British Embassy. The title of the paper is ‘Building
Dr Erden has recently written a chapter on ‘Ethics,
Dr Erden and Prof Mark Bishop (Goldsmiths College,
Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour (AISB)
The findings of a survey of nanotoxicologists on what
expert consensus on problems of uncertainty and
Conference Review’, which was published in The
Nanotechnology Ethics
complexity in nanomaterial safety’. This paper was also
Reasoner, 5: 10 in September 2011.
After a successful 4-year tenure as the chair of the
shortlisted as one of the final 5 for the
International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) group
Biological/technological risk category for the Lloyd’s of
participated in the European Workshop on the FP7 Ethics
on labelling of nanomaterials and products, Prof Geoff
London Science of Risk Prize. The Awards ceremony
Review (e.g. the impact of procedures on the research
Hunt has recently stepped down from the role.
took place at Lloyds in the City of London on Thursday
community and research institution administration). The
Commenting on achievements during that period Prof
24th November 2011.
aim of the workshop was to improve the review
Hunt noted that the question of labelling nanoproducts is
mechanism for the forthcoming FP8 and was hosted at
now more widely accepted and has been established as
the University of Namur, Belgium.
a principle to adhere to both now and in the future.
On Thursday 27th October 2011 Dr Erden
2 | CBET Bulletin Issue 5 Winter 2011
Continued page 4 >
Consciousness: Can we explain it?
Second in Philosophy Lecture Series Held On Wednesday 5th October, the second in a series of free Philosophy lectures took place at St Mary’s.
Could a machine be conscious? Is the human mind
actually integrates information, often referred to as the
nothing but a sophisticated machine? Can
‘binding problem’. He maintains that the brain’s
St Mary’s School of Theology, Philosophy and History is
consciousness be scientifically explained? These were
electromagnetic field may be the answer.
hosting the series, which will continue over the next six
just some of the questions raised at a research
Prof Bishop, Prof of Cognitive Computing at
In association with the Royal Institute of Philosophy ,
months at St Mary’s.
symposium on ‘Consciousness’ that CBET convened on
Goldsmiths College, referring to the work of A I pioneer,
Thursday 20th October to an audience of over 100
Alan Turing, gave a detailed critique and analysis of both
Shanahan, Professor of Cognitive Robotics at Imperial
students and researchers from many disciplines.
the ‘Turing Test’ and the ‘Chinese Room’ thought-
College London, who spoke on the topic ‘Animal minds
experiments. Prof Bishop’s response to the symposium’s
and robot minds’.
Presentations were made by some of the key
Guest speaker at the event was Prof Murray
academic opinion leaders on consciousness in the fields
main question was to say that while it may be possible to
of philosophy, computing, genetics and neuroscience.
explain consciousness in scientific terms, in
think like us? Are they conscious the way we are? Can
The symposium was chaired by Dr Yasemin J. Erden,
computational terms the answer is ‘No’.
robots think like we do? Could we ever build a conscious
Research Fellow in Ethics and Emerging Technologies at
Helping to draw together many strands of thought
Prof Shanahan commented, “Do non-human animals
robot? These philosophical questions are important
St Mary’s. Opening the symposium, Prof Igor Aleksander,
made in the earlier presentations, Prof Geoff Hunt, Prof
because they influence what we decide to do. To the
Emeritus Prof at Imperial College London, and Fellow of
of Philosophy and Director of CBET at St Mary’s,
extent that an animal can experience suffering, we have a
the Royal Academy of Engineering, helped to establish
concluded the symposium by making the case that while
duty to treat it well. If we can build a robot that is
some context for discussion by exploring how
states of consciousness may be explained, and in fact
conscious, would it also be able to experience suffering?
‘consciousness informs us’. To do this he offered a
there are already an abundance of piecemeal
And if so, should we build such a thing in the first place?”
number of thought-provoking ideas, including a view of
explanations from neuro-surgeons and neuro-
the brain as a ‘neural automaton’, and the idea of
pharmacologists the very fact of consciousness cannot
Medical Law, Dr Trevor Stammers, attended the lecture
consciousness as integrated information. His response to
be explained due to a paradox of explanation. Referring
and was fascinated by the extent of the developments
the central question of the symposium was a clear
to the work of the philosophers Kant and Wittgenstein he
being discussed and proposed by Prof Shanahan. “Prof
‘yes’—science can indeed explain consciousness. He
tried to show that any explanation at all presupposes
Shanahan certainly delivered with great panache a
added that there is no reason it cannot be explained, if
consciousness. Thus there is a logical circularity in
physicalist vision of whole brain simulation in his lifetime,
only we employ appropriate scientific paradigms.
attempting to explain it. Once again, a steady stream of
at the same time stimulating great debate over whether
questions and discussion followed amongst the audience
his physicalist starting point is tenable or not”.
Professor of Molecular Genetics at the University of Surrey, Johnjoe McFadden argued that much of what is
and all four guest speakers.
often referred to as ‘mind’ is simply the conscious activity
Programme Director for the MA in Bioethics &
This series of lectures aims to address the prospect of Philosophy departments closing in British Universities
that we are aware of. However, the majority of mental
MP3s from the symposium are available
due to public funding cuts and speakers are asked to
activity actually goes on without us being aware of it.
to listen to online and download from
reflect specifically on concepts of knowledge and wisdom
This presents us with the question of how consciousness
www.smuc.ac.uk/cbet/publications-and-talks.htm
and their place in modern universities.
European Court’s decision upholds dignity of the embryo A recent decision by the European Court of Justice (ECJ)
Congratulating the ECJ on its decision, Jones said
because most such research does not use embryonic
on embryo research has sparked uproar amongst stem
that he believed that the Court had acted with clear and
stem cells. There are an increasing number of sources of
cell scientists.
commendable ethical consistency. In making the
adult stem cells (including amniotic fluid, cord blood and
judgement that it is wrong to profit from destroying
bone marrow) and cutting-edge research in this area is
German professor, wanted to turn human embryonic
human embryos, Jones commented that it is consistent
turning ordinary adult cells into stem cells. The ECJ’s
stem cells into nerve cells. Greenpeace opposed his
to say it is also wrong to profit from cells that are derived
decision does not affect these forms of stem cell
attempt to patent his work, citing that protecting work
from destroying human embryos. No distinction should
research and may even help to divert some of the
based on a human embryo which is later destroyed is
be made between whether you have destroyed the
resources currently being invested into embryonic stem
unethical.
embryos or someone else carried this out for you.
cells towards adult stem cell research.
In the case of Oliver Brüstle v Greenpeace, Brüstle, a
The ECJ ruled in October that "The use of human
The Court’s decision has been met with fierce
“Destroying human embryos is not prevention nor
embryos for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes which
criticism from stem cell scientists who claim that the
does it stop scientists from using human embryos in
are applied to the human embryo and are useful to it is
decision will throw stem cell research in Europe into
research”, Prof Jones said. “What the ruling does help to
patentable ... But their use for purposes of scientific
disarray. Prof Robin Lovell-Badge, of the MRC National
make more difficult is for commercial companies to profit
research is not patentable".
Institute for Medical Research, told the Daily Telegraph
from their destruction. This decision is also a reminder to
that “… Britain's clear and permissive laws on stem cell
the United Kingdom that it needs to be aware of ethical
published from twenty-four professors and centre
experiments mean a great deal of early-stage research
thinking throughout Europe”.
directors from throughout Europe. This included David A.
could still be carried out here, but the ruling raises the
Jones, visiting professor of bioethics at CBET and
chance of that work being adopted and made profitable
Director of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, Oxford and
by companies operating abroad”.
Earlier this year in the journal Nature, a letter was
Prof Geoff Hunt, Director of CBET. The letter argued that
However, Prof Jones believes that the decision will
You can read an interview with Prof David A. Jones on
the case should be decided on the basis of ethics and
have a fairly minimal effect, as the decision of the ECJ
the BioEdge website: www.bioedge.org/index.php/
not only on the basis of “European commercial interest”.
does not affect most “biomedical stem cell research"
bioethics/bioethics_article/9801
CBET Bulletin Issue 5 Winter 2011 | 3
CBET resident staff Technology ethics Prof. Geoffrey Hunt CBET Director and Professorial Research Fellow Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 2311 Email: huntg@smuc.ac.uk Dr Yasemin J. Erden Research Fellow in Ethics & Emerging Technologies Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: erdenyj@smuc.ac.uk
Globethics.net – Promoting a global conversation about ethical values Over recent months CBET staff have been pleased to meet and establish links with Prof Dr Christoph Stückelberger, Founder and Director of the project Globethics.net. We invited Dr Stückelberger to write about the project, outlining its aims and objectives as well as ways in which individuals can get involved in this exchange of information and knowledge resources.
launched in 2008. It is the leading global online library on ethics, and now offers registered participants free-ofcharge access to almost 700,000 full-text documents on ethics. These documents include articles from commercial journals and books, documents from partner institutions, and texts from open access sources. Documents in a wide variety of languages are already available in the library.
Access to information is key to empowering people to
The project’s uniqueness
manage their lives and to participate in society. It is also
What is unique about this project is that the various
Biomedicine ethics
central to ethical orientation and decision making on
libraries share the same database, infrastructure and
Dr Trevor Stammers Programme Director in Bioethics Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4310 Email: stammerst@smuc.ac.uk
such diverse and complex issues as health ethics,
software. While each library has a distinct identity, it is
business ethics, food security, climate change, conflict
also possible to search all the libraries at the same time
resolution, emerging technologies and bioethics.
and using the same tools, allowing interconnections
However, there is a global imbalance in access to
between the libraries and their holdings.
Additional staff
information. As such, a genuinely worldwide discussion
Prof. David Albert Jones Visiting Professor of Bioethics Email: director@bioethics.org.uk Dr Wendy Hiscox Lecturer in Medical Law Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: w_hiscox@yahoo.co.uk Prof. Rodney Taylor Visiting Professor Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: taylorr@smuc.ac.uk
on ethical issues often does not take place.
As such, the online libraries help people from academic, policy and media institutions to deepen their
At the World Summit on the Information Society in
interdisciplinary understanding of the role of values and
Geneva in 2003 it was found that the global conversation
ethics in the world today, and to link this knowledge to a
is hampered by factors such as the lack of access in the
range of policy issues, communities, and wider publics.
global South to good and recent knowledge resources
Moreover, registered participants have the possibility
on ethics, and that people from the global South often
to submit their own documents – articles, books,
lack the opportunity to participate in the global ethical
dissertations, newsletters – to the libraries. This offers
dialogue.
participants, especially from the South, where funds for
Globethics.net – a global network on applied ethics –
print publications are often not available, an opportunity
aims to harness information and communication
to make their knowledge production more visible and
technology to address this challenge. It was founded in
accessible, thus facilitating a global conversation.
2004 as one response to the Information Society summit
In addition to the libraries, Globethics.net offers
Mr Matthew James CBET Administrator Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: jamesm@smuc.ac.uk
and as a platform to promote ethical reflection and action
participants the opportunity via its website to join or form
for responsible leadership. Central to Globethics.net is
electronic work groups for networking or collaborative
the search for the common values that are needed for
research. The networking platform enables registered
common action and interaction in a globalized world,
participants to identify other participants who share their
Dr Pia Matthews Lecturer in Healthcare Ethics Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: pia.matthews@talk21.com
balanced with respecting and strengthening cultural,
interest in a specific field of applied ethics.
Centre for Bioethics & Emerging Technologies St Mary's University College Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill Twickenham TW1 4SX Tel: 020 8240 4250 Fax: 020 8240 2362 www.smuc.ac.uk/cbet
religious and linguistic diversity and contextual values, which are crucial for human dignity and identity. Globethics.net provides electronic access to
Getting involved There are many ways to get involved in the work of
knowledge resources through its Global Digital Libraries
Globethics.net. Individuals can sign up free of charge to
(www.globethics.net/web/ge/library/libraries-home).
access the library, take part in online workgroups, and
Furthermore it facilitates the inclusion of the global South
network with other registered participants. Individuals
in the global ethical conversation through its electronic
and organizations can take part in the annual Global
networking platform.
Ethics Forum meetings. Globethics.net has regional programmes in China, India, Indonesia and East Africa
GlobeEthicsLib
with plans to develop in Latin America, francophone
The Global Digital Library on Ethics (GlobeEthicsLib) was
Africa and Eastern Europe.
Activities in Brief Continued ... Bioethics
autumn of next year it looks as if the programme will
Stammers was the first speaker of the series, presenting
The start of the academic year 2011-12 proved to be
continue to expand as a new range of options may then
an introduction to ethical theory to an audience of over
one of the busiest ever for the MA in Bioethics & Medical
be possible for both MA and undergraduate
100 people. CBET’s Visiting Professor of Bioethics,
Law programme. With 20 students in the first year, there
programmes".
David A. Jones, has also been a guest speaker during
are four students from last year carrying over to their
‘Thinking Bioethics’ is a public lecture series
the series.
second year of taught studies with yet another cohort of
organised by MA Bioethics & Medical Law alumnus
students working on their dissertations. Programme
Pauline Gately, and hosted in Weybridge, Surrey. The
Dr Trevor Stammers gave at the South East Region
Director for the MA, Dr Trevor Stammers commented,
series runs on a Wednesday evening, once a month
Transplant Training Day at St Peter’s, Chertsey on 30th
"With the opening of the Law School at St Mary’s in the
from September 2011 through to April 2012. Dr Trevor
November 2011.
4 | CBET Bulletin Issue 5 Winter 2011
The ethics of organ donation was the focus of a talk