May 9, 2005

INVITATION TO COVER
“Stem Cell Research: Science, Ethics & Public Policy” Panel Discussion

WHAT: A panel discussion -- “Stem Cell Research: Science, Ethics & Public Policy” – sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine’s Department of Medical Ethics and Center for Bioethics, represents the first time that the new national regulations on stem cell research will be discussed.

WHO: Arthur L. Caplan, PhD, Chair of Penn’s Department of Medical Ethics and Director of the Center for Bioethics, will moderate the panel discussion.

Serving as distinguished panelists will be: John D. Gearhart, PhD, Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; James C. Greenwood, former Congressman and currently President of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO); Jonathan D. Moreno, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Ethics and Director of the Center for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Virginia; and David Magnus, PhD, Director of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics at Stanford University.

WHEN: Saturday, May 14, 2005
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

WHERE : Atrium, Biomedical Research Building II/III
421 Curie Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Media Notes: Biosketches of panelists are available on-line at http://www.bioethics.upenn.edu/decade/

Members of the media are requested to register in advance by calling Rebecca Harmon, at (215) 349-5660.

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PENN Medicine is a $2.7 billion enterprise dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and high-quality patient care. PENN Medicine consists of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (founded in 1765 as the nation’s first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Penn’s School of Medicine is ranked #3 in the nation for receipt of NIH research funds; and ranked #4 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent ranking of top research-oriented medical schools. Supporting 1,400 fulltime faculty and 700 students, the School of Medicine is recognized worldwide for its superior education and training of the next generation of physician-scientists and leaders of academic medicine.

Penn Health System is comprised of: its flagship hospital, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, consistently rated one of the nation’s “Honor Roll” hospitals by U.S. News & World Report; Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital; Presbyterian Medical Center; a faculty practice plan; a primary-care provider network; two multispecialty satellite facilities; and home health care and hospice.

This release is available online at http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/may05/stemcellpanel.htm