THE Australian Association of Catholic Bioethicists (AACB) has been formed to ensure a better resourced Church response to such issues as stem-cell research and human cloning.
The formation follows approval by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
Queensland Bioethics Centre director Ray Campbell said the creation of the AACB formalised an existing network linking Catholic bioethicists, doctors, lawyers, social scientists, philosophers, theologians and tertiary lecturers.
He said the goals of the AACB were to:
- promote in-depth discussion, research, professional development and publications on specific issues in bioethics
- foster communication, collaboration and cooperation among Catholic bioethicists and Catholic bioethics institutes throughout Australia
- encourage and resource contributions to bioethics and the development of public policy by Catholic health professionals and others
- be a resource and source of advice for the Australian Catholic bishops and the leaders of Catholic health and social welfare.
Victorian bioethicist Dr Nicholas Tonti-Filippini said the creation of the AACB followed the foundation of a similar international body two years ago.
The inaugural meeting of the AACB is to be held in Melbourne in late January during the fourth national colloquium for Catholic bioethicists.
Theme is Conscience in Professional Life: Doctors, Lawyers and Politicians.
Bishop Michael Putney of Townsville is to address a public forum to open the colloquium on the topic The Mission of the Church on Life Matters in Contemporary Australian Society.
Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne will be chief celebrant and homilist at the dinner.
Organisers would welcome participation from health professionals, and members of Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) or clinical ethics committees, and, given the topics, lawyers and politicians.
Further details are available from Penny Power at ppower@jp2institute.org or Colonel Toby Hunter on (03) 9412 3370, fax (03) 9417 2107.
