BIOETHICS FORUM

9th Annual International Bioethics Forum

Taking the Measure of the Magic Mirror

COORDINATORS:

BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTC Institute)
Promega Corporation

OVERVIEW:  What do you think about when you think about thinking, about experiencing?  What is consciousness?

Guided by leaders in their fields, including philosophy, physics, botany, neurochemistry, and contemplative practice, this year’s program is designed to allow participants to explore many dimensions of this fascinating - and elusive – topic:

• What can we learn from thinkers of the past - how did they frame perception and reality?

• What are entheogens and what has been their impact on human cultures and institutions?

• How have altered states of consciousness influenced human history, culture and institutions?

• Can consciousness be defined by brain chemistry, and, if so, how?

• What are we learning about health and well being from research efforts and clinical studies that examine the neural basis of altered states of consciousness?

• What are the roles of mindfulness and meditation in the exploration and evolution of consciousness?

Sound intriguing? Join us for two unique days of in-depth discussion of significant philosophical and scientific approaches to “Taking the Measure of the Magic Mirror.”

PRESENTERS:

Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D. (Director, Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior; Director, Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience; William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Roland Griffiths, Ph.D. (Professor of Behavioral Biology, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Charles S. Grob, M.D. (Chief, Child Psychiatry; Professor, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California - Los Angeles)

Sean Kelly, Ph.D. (Professor, Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness, California Institute of Integral Studies)

Michael Kometer, M.S. (Doctoral Candidate & Researcher, Neuropsychopharmcology and Brain Imaging Research Group, University of Zurich)

William Linton (Chairman & CEO, Promega Corporation)

Antoine Lutz, Ph.D. (Associate Scientist, Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, University of Wisconsin - Madison)

Dennis McKenna, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota)

David E. Nichols, Ph.D. (Robert C. and Charlotte P. Anderson Distinguished Chair, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University)

Steve Paulson (Executive Producer, To The Best of Our Knowledge, Wisconsin Public Radio and Public Radio International)

Peter Russell (Fellow, Institute of Noetic Sciences, The World Business Academy and The Findhorn Foundation)

Franz X. Vollenweider, M.D. (Professor, University Hospital of Psychiatry; Director, Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging & Heffter Research Center Zurich)

PRESENTER BIOSKETCHES

PRESENTER ABSTRACTS

SCHEDULE & REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Open to 350 participants, the Forum began each day with continental breakfast and registration at 7:30am, followed by the start of the program at 8:30am; it will conclude with a late afternoon reception.  The registration fee ($150) included breakfast, lunch and a reception both days.  Need-based partial and full scholarships were provided to offset conference registration costs for 30+ attendees.

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