Imagination, Science Research and Ethics: A Forum for Area Students, Faculty Researchers
For most people, scientific research is, well, all about science.
Fact upon supported fact. Claims and conclusions.
But as Duquesne hosts its first regional student research ethics forum, the side of research that deals with imagination will come to campus on Monday, June 25.
About 115 students engaged in Duquesne’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program, the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative and five research programs at the University of Pittsburgh will gather to hear Dr. Gerry Magill, the Vernon F. Gallagher Chair for the Integration of Science, Theology, Philosophy and Law in Duquesne’s Center for Healthcare Ethics.
Magill will speak on Science & Ethics: Resonance of the Imagination from a global context and the perspective of discovery, justice and principles. In this talk, he will address how successful scientists function as ethical, imaginative professionals.
Magill also will present case studies, which will be discussed by roundtables of students and faculty advisors, during afternoon sessions. The topics, taken from real-world situations, include:
- Predictive genetic testing
- Limb and face transplantations
- Stem cell research using unwanted frozen embryos for research
- Forcing stem cells to multiply into specific cell types for research purposes.
As students work on their 10-week summer research projects, they are preparing to present posters and give oral presentations at the 15th annual Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium on Friday, July 27. The keynote on Uncovering the Codes for Reality will be delivered by Dr. Sylvester “Jim” Gates Jr., John S. Toll Professor and Director of Center for String and Particle Theory in the University of Maryland physics department.