Frost Lecture in Medical Ethics:
The Worth of a Child

DESCRIPTION: As science gives us increasing power over whether and when to become parents, it becomes ever more vital to reflect on what it means to become a parent, to love and raise a child who will become a strong, confident, independent adult. Since the publication of The Worth of a Child, science has given us yet more ways of inquiring into our child's talents and dispositions, and more means of shaping them through drugs, surgeries and other technologies. Our ability to make wise choices about these technologies will be aided by a thoughtful understanding of the ethical nature of the relationship between parents and children, and what that relationship means for the flourishing of both children and parents.

Presentor: Thomas H. Murray, PhD
President, The Hastings Center, Garrison, NY

STATEMENT OF NEED:
What do reproductive technologies, research on children, and the history of adoption tell us about this most important human relationship? What can a responsible society do to help create a strong social environment, including a health care system that fosters healthy families and justice for children and parents? Insights about the relationship between parents and children can enrich bioethics; insights from bioethics can enhance our understanding of that relationship, and what it demands from us.

TARGET AUDIENCE: This program is open to the public and addresses the educational need of service providers including physicians, nurses, LPC, LMFT, LSW, LCSW, LMSW and LCDC.

OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

• Explain the concept of mutuality and how it pertains to relationships between parents and children
• Identify several biomedical technologies touted as giving parents special knowledge about their child or the ability to intentionally shape their child's moods and behaviors.
• Discuss the implications of the ethical nature of the parent-child relationship for enhancement technologies.
• Discuss the implications of the ethical nature of the parent-child relationship for health care reform.

CME ACCREDITATION STATEMENTS: UT Health Science Center San Antonio School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

UT Health Science Center San Antonio School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Creditsâ„¢. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This session meets the Texas Medical Board criteria for formal Continuing Medical Education involving the study of medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.

CNE: The UTHSCSA School of Nursing is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Texas Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

This activity provides up to 1.0 Nursing Contact hours.

CEU: The Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health is an approved provider of continuing education by the State of Texas for the following: LPC, LMFT, LSW, LCSW, LMSW and LCDC. This program offers up to 1.0 continuing education units.

FACULTY DISCLOSURES: The following persons were involved in educational content decisions as either planners or presenters and have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:  Ruth E. Berggren, MD,Craig Klugman, PhD, Thomas Murray, PhD, Judy McCarter, Stephanie McClain, Amanda Evrard, George Joehnk, Paul Parks, D.Min, Pam Thomas.  This activity is not funded by commercial interests and does not include discussion or recommendations for FDA-regulated products or devices.

Conversations about Ethics is a series of lectures, free and open to the public, offered by The Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics in partnership with: The Ecumenical Center for Religion & Health, Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Frost