2010 Bioethics: Striking a Balance
About the Conference
The theme of the 34th annual UNIS-UN Conference (United Nations International School-United
Nations) was "Bioethics: Striking a Balance". The conference was held on Thursday
and Friday, March 4th and 5th, 2010, at the Trusteeship Council Chamber of the United
Nations.
The rapid advancements in science and medicine have created an augmentation of new
ethical concerns. The inevitable nature of these advancements has made it increasingly
necessary to consider their effects on society and the economy. There are numerous
benefits that accompany this progress, such as life-saving vaccinations, effective
medications and greater insight into devastating diseases. However, with these benefits
comes power, and with power comes responsibility. We are now capable of impacting
not the human race alone, but all biomes on Earth. The dangers associated with taking
this power too far, as well as the possibilities of improving the well-being of
the planet, places bioethics in the forefront of issues facing us.
The conference discussed a plethora of issues from new discoveries in the fields
of nanomedicine and synthetic biology to age-old controversies in euthanasia and
eugenics. By addressing these dilemmas, the conference looked to investigate and
present diverse viewpoints and simultaneously encourage the world's youth to develop
their own perspective.