Event: Becoming Better? Moral Bio-Enhancement and Christianity | Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute – Affiliated with the University of St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto

Thursday, February 28, 2019; 7 – 8:30 pm

Charbonnel Lounge, 81 St. Mary Street, Toronto

Free | All are welcome.

BACKGROUND

Tonight’s panellists presented “Becoming Better? Moral Bio-Enhancement and Christianity” during the World Parliament of Religions in Toronto, November 2018. They represent their respective churches on the Faith and Life Sciences Group of the Canadian Council of Churches. Information may be found here: https://www.councilofchurches.ca/biotechnology/.

People of faith are being challenged by questions raised by bio-enhancement technologies such as what it means to be a good, happy, or “perfect” human being. Enhancement advocates suggest that the use of artificial intelligence, genetic technologies, and pharmaceuticals could bring human behaviour to a higher level of intelligence, impacting morality, spirituality and affectivity.

In this panel, we will discuss points of contact and contrast between these proposals and Christianity, especially Christian anthropology and ethics. Our speakers will weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using such enhancements. We shall apply Christian perspectives on human nature, justice, conscience and virtue to the questions raised. We hope to contribute to an increased understanding of emerging enhancement technologies, which have the potential to affect humanity on a global and unprecedented scale.

MORAL BIO-ENHANCEMENT THROUGH A CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL LENS

Tracy Trothen, Professor of Ethics, School of Religion and School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University; Minister, United Church of Canada

MORAL ENHANCEMENT AND VIRTUE

Michael Buttrey, Doctoral Candidate, Theology, University of Toronto;

Theologian-in-Residence, St. Clement’s Anglican Church

MORAL BIO-ENHANCEMENT THROUGH ARIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?

Moira McQueen, Executive Director, CCBI; Moral Theologian, USMC Faculty of Theology

BIOGRAPHIES

Michael Buttrey is a doctoral candidate in theology at the University of Toronto, and Theologian-in-Residence for St. Clement’s Anglican Church.

Moira McQueen, LLB, MDiv, PhD, was appointed Executive Director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute in July, 2004. The Institute has a mandate to conduct research and education in bioethics from a Roman Catholic perspective, and pursues bioethical issues in palliative and end of life care, reproductive technologies, stem cell experimentation and regenerative medicine, genetics, transgender issues and other current areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence and synthetic biology.

Tracy Trothen is a professor of ethics at Queen’s University, jointly appointed to the School of Religion and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy where she teaches in the graduate Aging and Health Program. She is an ordained minister in The United Church of Canada, a certified Supervisor-Educator in Clinical Spiritual Health (CASC), and a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO). Prof. Trothen is the author of several publications on human enhancement technologies including the recent book: Spirituality, Sport, and Doping: More than Just a Game (2018).

HOSTED BY THE CANADIAN CATHOLIC BIOETHICS INSTITUTE