The moral status of the human embryo undergirds critical science policy and bioethics concerns of our day. Four theologians from different perspectives and traditions will hold a press conference on science, policy, and religion at the National Press Club, February 27, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

The recent announcement of a presidential Council on Bioethics has brought the issues of embryo research and human cloning to the forefront of public policy debate. Underlying the political impasse over science policy regarding embryo research is a deep-seated religious debate about the status of the human embryo.

You are invited to join four theologians, who represent different traditions and perspectives, to explore the religious issues that inform science policy. Present will be Ronald Cole-Turner, the H. Parker Sharp Professor of Theology and Ethics at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; Kevin Fitzgerald, the Dr. David Lauler Chair in Catholic Health Care Ethics at the Center for Clinical Bioethics and Research Associate Professor, Georgetown University Medical Center; Brent Waters, Director of the Center for Ethics and Values and Assistant Professor, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; and Laurie Zoloth, Director of Jewish Studies and Associate Professor, San Francisco State University.

The moderator is Melissa Rogers, Executive Director of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

The press conference will occur on Wednesday, February 27, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington DC.
Please notify Kirsten Hunter, 202-955-5075 if you plan to attend.

This event is sponsored by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, which seeks to promote a deeper understanding of how religion shapes the ideas and institutions of American society, in cooperation with the Science and Religion News Service.