“The hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of women is being acknowledged in its fullness, the hour in which women acquire in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved.”

California Catholic Women's Forum

Home About Us Forums CE Programs News Links Support Contact

Cultivating the Seeds of Life:

an Ethical Approach

April 12, 2008

Biotechnology brings great hope for healthcare but must remain attached to an ethical vision. This forum will include an historical perspective and scientific successes and dilemmas of biotechnical practices as it relates to the health care professional.

7:45 am - 2:35 pm

Hilton Garden Inn
840 East El Camino Real
Mountain View, CA 94040
(650) 964-1700
www.hiltongardeninn.com | Map

Register online | Cost: Tiered pricing Please e-mail your professional license number to info@ccwf.org (required)
Nursing Continuing Education: $85.00 for 5.16 contact hours
Medical CME: $145.00
Non-continuing education credit: $60.00

Pay by credit card with Paypal! OR download the Registration Form [pdf:418kb], and
mail it with your registration fee to:
CCWF
PO Box 3294
Los Altos, CA 94024

Deadline to register: April 5, 2008. Additional fee after deadline: $20.00
Cancellations: $10.00 administration fee will be charged for cancellations up to 8 days before the program.
No refund for cancellation within 7 days of program.

We reserve the right to make changes in faculty and schedule. $10.00 fee for additional copies of proof of attendance - contact hour certificates.

Lecture 1

Fertility: IVF and Assisted Reproductive technologies. Fr. Tad Pacholczyk will explore the exploitation of women in their reproductive role, offering concrete methodologies for dealing with some of these issues.

Lecture 2

The Science and Ethics of Stem Cells. Fr. Tad will explore the basic biological realities related to stem cell research - the kinds, how to harvest cells and how they can help people, then explore moral questions regarding the use of embryonic stem cells and other therapies.

Lecture 3

The Science and Ethics of Cloning. Fr. Tad will continue his workshop with an exploration of human cloning and its implications including patenting pressures and eugenics.

Course Objectives::

Define the distinction between adult and embryonic stem cells and the further derivation of stem cell types. ~ Identify three successfully demonstrated uses of stem cell treatment.~ Identify the individual practitioner's ethical role in advocating for human dignity at all stages of life.

Presenter:

Rev. Dr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Director of Education, National Catholic Bioethics Center, Philadelphia, PA
Fr. Tad is also a diocesan priest in the city of Falls River, Massachusetts. Fr. Tad earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale University and was a research fellow in the Departments of Neurosurgery and and Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He went on to earn postgraduate degrees in theology and bioethics at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.

As an undergraduate he earned degrees in philosophy, biochemistry, molecular cell biology, and chemistry, and did laboratory research on hormonal regulation of the immune response. He later earned a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Yale University, where he focused on cloning genes for neurotransmitter transporters which are expressed in the brain. He also worked for several years as a molecular biologist at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Fr. Tad studied for 5 years in Rome where he did advanced work in dogmatic theology and in bioethics, examining the question of delayed ensoulment of the human embryo. He has testified before members of the Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Virginia and North Carolina State Legislatures during deliberations over stem cell research and cloning. He has given presentations and participated in roundtables on contemporary bioethics throughout the U.S., Canada, and in Europe. He has done numerous media commentaries, including appearances on CNN International, ABC World News Tonight, EWTN and National Public Radio. He is Director of Education for The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia.

National Catholic Bioethics Center staff consult regularly on life science and medical issues with the Vatican, U.S. Bishops and public policy makers, hospitals and international organizations of all faiths. Vatican agencies, including the aCongrregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Pontifical Academy for Life and the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers consult with the Center to help formulate magisterial teaching.

Some of the schools, universities and hospitals where Fr. Tad has presented on the Science and Ethics of Stem Cells and Cloning: UCSF, San Francisco, CA; Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Boston College, Boston, MA; University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA; Holy Cross College, Worcester, MA; University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA; Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis; Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL; Jordan Hospital, Plymouth, MA; University of Chicago, Chicago, IL; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX; Cambridge Health Alliance Hospital, Cambridge, MA; Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI; University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN; St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Boston, MA; Salve Regina University, Newport, RI; University of Dallas, Dallas, TX; Southern New England School of Law, Dartmouth, MA; Marymount University, Arlington, VA; University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX; Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA; Stonehill College, Easton, MA; Boston University, Boston, MA.

References:

Cathy Glynn-Milley, RN, CRNO, CPHQ,  Coordinator for this forum, Ophthalmic Coordinator for the Palo Alto VA Eye Clinic, Lecturer at Stanford and SJSU, and published author in her field of expertise. She is the Program Director of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, Bay Area Chapter, ASORN 

Joan Mackay, RNC, Co-Coordinator of this forum, Grievance Nurse Specialist at
Santa Clara Family Health Plan

Suzanne Spence, R.N., B.A., Medical Education Office, Stanford Medical School.

Michele Coldiron Executive Director of the California Catholic Women’s Forum, MS Evolution & Systematics, City University of New York 1978, MA Education, Stanford University 1985

CCWF has been endorsed by the Rev. Msgr.Francis V. Cilia, Vicar General, The Chancery, Diocese of San Jose. Letter of endorsement [pdf].

External Links:

Read About Us

California Catholic Women’s Forum plans April 21 conference on family
March 2007 , The Valley Catholic, the Good News in the Diocese of San José

California Catholic Women’s Forum to explore cultural issues of women in society
October 2005, The Valley Catholic, the Good News in the Diocese of San José

Married Love and the Gift of Life, United States Council of Catholic Bishops booklet
In this thoughtful statement the bishops of the United States reflect on God's wonderful plan for marriage-the ability of a man and woman to form a lasting bond of love and life. In an engaging question and answer format, the bishops explain Church teachings on conjugal love and responsible parenthood and the methods of Natural Family Planning which support those teachings.

In Depth
MULIERIS DIGNITATEM Of Pope John Paul II On the Dignity and Vocation of Women On the Occasion of the Marian Year On the Vatican's website.

PO Box 3294 Los Altos, CA 94024 | info@ccwf.org | ©2008 CCWF.org, all rights reserved

The California Catholic Women’s Forum (CCWF™) offers educational opportunities
and resources on gender-specific issues affecting women.

Endorsed by the Diocese of San Jose Letter of Endorsement