Medical Ethics meetings & conferences

American Society of Human Genetics 62nd Annual Meeting

Tuesday, November 6 through Saturday, November 10, 2012 San Francisco, California

The world's top scientists and clinicians in the human genetics field will gather to present their latest research findings at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), which will be held on November 6-10, 2012, in San Francisco, CA (http://www.ashg.org/2012meeting). ASHG is the primary professional membership organization for human genetics specialists worldwide, representing nearly 8,000 researchers, academicians, clinicians, genetic counselors, nurses, and others with a special interest in this area (http://www.ashg.org).

The ASHG Annual Meeting continues to be the largest human genetics meeting in the world, attracting more than 7,000 scientific participants each year. The ASHG 2012 Meeting will provide attendees with the latest information about cutting-edge developments in human genetics and genomics research. In addition, nearly 250 U.S. and international exhibitors at this year's ASHG Exhibitor Trade Show will offer an unprecedented opportunity to view the latest advances in genetics-related products and services derived, in part, from work presented at previous ASHG meetings.

Topics to be addressed in the scientific program for the ASHG 2012 Meeting will include: gene discovery in human genetics; new insights and challenges from next generation sequencing; advances in medical genetics and translation/applications in clinical care; progress in gene therapy; personalized medicine; cancer genetics; advances in non-invasive prenatal diagnosis; revelations about human alleles from studies of model organisms; implications of population genetic studies; modeling in statistical genetics; data centralization and its implications for our field; ethical, legal and social implications of genomics; changes in genetics education; and much more.

For more information about the ASHG 2012 Annual Meeting, or to register and/or submit an abstract for presentation at this year’s meeting, please go to: http://www.ashg.org/2012meeting.

First International Congress--Narrative Medicine and Rare Diseases

The First International Congress "Narrative medicine and rare diseases" will be held on 4 June 2012, at the Italian National Institute of Health (Aula Pocchiari, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome, Italy). The Congress aims (i) to promote narrative medicine applied to rare diseases among health practitioners and patients, (ii) to stimulate new theoretical approaches and practical applications, at international level.

The Italian National Centre for Rare Diseases of the Italian National Institute of Health has organised the Italian national
congress "Narrative medicine and rare diseases" annually since 2009.

Rare diseases, defined by their low prevalence, can be acute, severe, chronic and disabling conditions. They may be difficult
to diagnose and with few specific therapeutic treatments.

Narrative medicine aims to build a bridge between the clinical knowledge of health care practitioners and the patient’s subjective experience.

This year, the Italian National Centre for Rare Diseases of the Italian National Institute of Health is organising the First International Congress "Narrative medicine and rare diseases".

The official language will be English (simultaneous translation service English/Italian will be available).
Travel and accommodation expenses will be born by the participants.

For additional information, clarifications, or questions, please contact the Scientific Secretariat, at medicina.narrativa@iss.it.  

Istituto Superiore di Sanità
Via Giano della Bella, 34
00161 - Roma (I)
Phone: 06 4990 4017
Fax: 06 4990 4370
taruscio@iss.it

8th International Symposium for the History of Anaesthesia

International Symposium on the History of Anaesthesia 2013, Sydney

The 8th International Symposium for the History of Anaesthesia will be held from January 22-25, 2013 in Sydney, Australia.

The Australian Society of Anaesthetists, the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and the New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists are pleased to announce that they are hosting the 8th International Symposium on the History of Anaesthesia (ISHA) in Sydney, Australia in January 2013.

The theme of the meeting: HISTORY MATTERS!

ISHA 2013 is administered by the Australian Society of Anaesthetists.

Historical themes will include the relationship of the profession with industry, military anaesthesia, equipment, pioneers and notable names, regional anaesthesia, pain management, simulation, society and education, organisations, antiquity, subspecialty anaesthesia, veterinary anaesthesia, anaesthesia and the arts, anaesthesia mortality and others.

Contact

Please contact the ASA for more information.

email: isha2013@asa.org.au
tel +61 2 9327 4022

WCN 2013 XXI World Congress of Neurology

September 21-26, 2013 Vienna, Austria

Join leading neurologists at WCN 2013, the world’s biggest neurology event. The XXI World Congress of Neurology will feature a rich scientific programme, including the latest developments in clinical practice and research, distinguished plenary speakers, teaching courses, workshops, and lectures, all on the increasingly global aspect of our work.

List of Proposed Topics

Epilepsy (Joint WFN & ILAE)
Movement Disorders
Stroke (Joint WSO & WFN)
Neuro-critical care
Dementia
MS & Demyelinating Diseases
Neuromuscular disorders
Headache
Pain
Neurorehabilitation
Neurooncology
CNS infection
Vertigo and balance disorders
Sleep
Leukoencephalopathies & Child neurology
Autoimmune encephalitis
Neurology, Health economics & outcomes
Metabolic and mitochondrial diseases
Neuroepidemiology
Environment, Climate Change
Autonomic nervous system
Neuroophthalmology
Brain & Behavior
Motor neuron disease
Channelopathies
Palliative care
Nutritional disorders & Neurotoxins
Stem cells in Neurology, hopes, uses and abuses
Neurological surgery for the neurologist
Psychiatry for the neurologist
Neuroethics
Interventional Neuroradiology
Advances in Neuroimaging
Advances in Neurophysiology
Therapeutic Neurotoxins
Biomarkers
World History of Neurology
You Tube neurology
Movies and neurology
Sports neurology
Training in neurology around the world
WHO Neurology Initiatives (Noncommunicable disease Initiative, MhGAP Program, ICD-11 revision of neurology codes)
Cases from around the world
Making the Case for Neurology

Contact Us
Please email us at wcn@kenes.com for more information or any queries.
 

Why We Can’t Wait: Conference to Eliminate Health Disparities in Genomic Medicine

May 31 - June 1, 2012 Miami, Florida

Genetic advances hold extreme promise, but also the potential to further increase health disparities. Now is the time to address this. Join a forum of stakeholders to learn, identify, and discuss many of the challenges and possible solutions for addressing health disparities in genomic medicine.

Who should attend:

Physicians, researchers, ethicists, allied health professionals (i.e., nurses, psychologists, etc.), public health specialists, and members of the community.

Conference goals and objectives:

Educational Goals
o Understand the role genomics plays in health disparities
o Understand the impact of genomic medicine disparities on current disease management
o Appreciate the role genetic research could play in remedying health disparities.
o Anticipate future challenges in integrating genomic medicine in all populations
o Create a forum for stakeholders to identify and generate plausible solutions for health disparities in genomic medicine

Overall Learning Objectives
Specific talks will accomplish these from varying ethnic and disease perspectives.
o Define the role of genomic medicine in healthcare
o Identify current disparities in healthcare related to genetics and genomic medicine
o Predict the disparities that may emerge with the integration of genomic medicine, including sequencing
o Recognize the importance of genomic research and minority participation in such research
o Cite the gaps in translation due to lack of participation in genomic medicine research
o Analyze and implement methods to overcome barriers to research participation in their community
o Anticipate the resources needed to appropriately integrate genomic medicine into clinical practice so that all persons benefit.

For more information or to register, please visit: http://geneticsawareness.org/2012conference

To contact the Planning Committee, please email: HIHGGAPCONF@med.miami.edu

59th Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine Annual Meeting

Bioethics at the Interface of Psychiatry and Medicine

November 14–17, 2012 Atlanta, Georgia

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Norman Wallis, Executive Director, at 301-718-6539 or nwallis@apm.org.

International Symposium on Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics ISOPT Clinical 2013

March 7-10, 2013 Paris, France

ISOPT will reconvene in Paris March 7 – 10 for our 10th symposium. Over the years, ISOPT has repeatedly shaped its form so it can accommodate to provide a collaborative atmosphere for clinicians, clinical trialists, pharma industry and regulatory officers. Our formed vision has been to increase knowledge and awareness of drug usage in ophthalmology reflecting innovations and their utilization in practice. In order to achieve this vision ISOPT is set to implement the following missions:

Educate via updating and sharing current and evolving treatment algorithms for practitioners.

Connect data arising from clinical studies to actual daily practice.

Facilitate innovation via panels and discussions of early and late “development related topics”.

We invite you to join us in Paris, and become a part of ISOPT, bring your own experience and insights of treating your patients, be exposed to the last two year clinical experience gained in major industry supported studies and be part of the efforts to reflect scientific data to clinical reality and patient care.

ISOPT has become famous for its informal atmosphere and the ability to meet experts and faculty leaders for “out of the lecture hall” discussions.

Whether your field of interest is in retinal diseases, inflammation, cornea and external diseases, glaucoma or basic science you may contribute and be part of the ISOPT spirit.

Focused Update in Medical Management

Retina

Dry AMD

Wet AMD

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Macular Edema

Retinal Vein Occlusion

Retinal Degeneration

Devices & Drug Delivery

Inflammation & Infection
Allergic Conjunctivitis

Treatment Updates

Clinical Studies for Uveitis

Cases Presentation

Ocular Infections

Basic Science

Therapy of Neovascularization

Inhibition of Diabetic Retinopathy

Antioxidants and Nutrition

Vascular Targets

Gene Therapy

Glaucoma

Conventional & Potential Glaucoma Therapy

Glaucoma Therapy & Ocular Surface

Inraocular Pressure & Glaucoma

Blood Flow & Glaucoma

External Eye Diseases
Dry Eye Treatment Innovations

Dry Eye-Ocular Surface Clinical Trials

Wound Healing

External Eye Diseases

Anterior Segment Imaging

Devices

Drug Development

Drug Delivery

Imaging

Toxicology

Nano Technology

Regulation of Ophthalmic Products

Ethics

A platform for informal communication with experts in drug development

Symposium Secretariat

Paragon Conventions
18, Avenue Louis-Casai
1209 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)22 5330 948
Fax: +41 (0)22 5802 953
Email: isopt@isopt.net

American Society for Bioethics and Humanities 14th Annual Meeting

October 18-21, 2012 Washington DC

Theme: Representing Bioethics

The American Society for Bioethics and Humanities promotes the exchange of ideas and fosters multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and inter-professional scholarship, research, teaching, policy development, professional development, and collegiality among people engaged in clinical and academic bioethics and the medical humanities.

For general inquiries and customer service:

American Society for Bioethics and Humanities
4700 W. Lake
Glenview, IL 60025-1485
Phone: 847/375-4745
Fax: 847/375-6482
Email: info@asbh.org

The Thin Ethical Line: When Professional Boundaries and Personal Interests Collide--Eighth Annual Pediatric Bioethics Conference

Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28, 2012 Seattle, Washington

Healthcare providers have professional responsibilities to care for their patients. Yet physicians, nurses, social workers and trainees face daily choices when their professional responsibilities are not congruent with personal interests, beliefs and values. How should providers navigate these boundaries? We will explore these issues as we discuss the ethical concerns that may arise when personal interests and values challenge traditional professional responsibilities.

Can healthcare professionals conscientiously object to providing certain kinds of healthcare services?
Should healthcare providers perform procedures or prescribe medications for their own family members?
Is it ever acceptable for healthcare professionals to lie on behalf of their patients?
Is it OK to ask patients to sign a political petition in the office or hospital setting?
Should healthcare professionals become “friends” with their patients or their patients’ parents on Facebook?
Should healthcare professionals engage with families in non-medical settings or accept gifts or invitations to personal events?

Contact Information

For questions about the conference, please contact Kathie Kohorn at 206-987-5379.

For questions about the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, please contact Jill Webster at 206-884-8355.

Biological Future of Man. Continuities and Break in the History of Human Genetics Before and After 1945

5th International Workshop on the History of Human Genetics

June 21-23, 2012, Nürnberg, Germany

Human Genetics is a science with two sides: on one side concepts of human genetics have often influenced social and political events, on the other side the development of human genetics has been influenced by various political forces.

At the end of the 19th century, heredity was dominated by Mendel’s gene concept and Galton’s biometrical approach (according to A. Motulsky). These were followed by early achievements in hu-man genetics like the identification of chromosomes as the carriers of genetic information (1888), the discovery of the ABO blood group system (Landsteiner 1900) and the inheritance of blood types (von Dungern and Hirschfeld 1911), and the fundamental theorem of population genetics (Hardy-Weinberg-Law 1908).

At the beginning of the 20th century, the eugenics movements in many countries (e.g. Germany, Great Britain and the USA) became stronger. Many scientists believed that genes strongly influenced biology. They were convinced that the human species should either encourage the breeding of those with desirable traits (positive eugenics) or discourage the breeding of the sick and ‘mentally defec-tive’ (negative eugenics). These eugenic concepts led to the sterilization of ‘unfit’ persons in many countries. During the Third Reich, these efforts at ‘Rassenhygiene’ became part of Nazi philosophy. In Germany, the Second World War formed a break in the history of heredity and human genetics. This was not the case in Anglo-American countries.
Important landmarks in Human Genetics after 1945 include the discovery of DNA (1953 Watson and Crick) and biochemical methods for detecting molecular diseases (1949 Pauling, sickle cell anemia). This period saw great progress in DNA technology, genetic epidemiology, cytogenetics, somatic cell genetics, and prenatal diagnosis.

Goals
The Second World War and its consequences greatly influenced the development of human genetics. However, continuities and discontinuities, breaks and changes varied with national settings. This workshop aims to evaluate the state of research and discuss the history of human genetics from a comparative perspective.

Themes
The workshop will be organized around the following three themes:

• Eugenic ideas and human genetics before 1945: Concepts of heredity and research on genetic diseases
• Changing approaches after 1945: From molecular biology to molecular genetics.
• The shadow of eugenics on today’s human genetics: Scientific, social, ethical, legal and political aspects

Heike Petermann
Institute for Ethics, History and Theory of Medicine
WW University Muenster
Von-Esmarch-Strasse 62
48149 Münster
Germany
Phone ++49-251-8355291 (Secretary)
Fax ++49-251-8355339

Email: heike.petermann@uni-muenster.de
Visit the website at http://www.eshg.org/satmeetings2012.0.html