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Exploring Ethics
 the science and ethics forum
An ongoing series of free, public events jointly sponsored by the Ethics Center and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. Go to the full schedule of events at the Fleet.
Facing Pandemics: Science, Ethics, and Uncertainty
See a flyer for this event.

listen to a pre-forum interview with Maureen Cavanaugh and her guests Dr. Wilma Wooten, Phillip Van Saun, and Dr. Francesca Torriani, "Preparing for the Next Pandemic" KPBS These Days, June 2, 2009.

Date: June 3, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Location: Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
Organizers: Mike Kalichman, Lawrence Hinman, & Stuart Henry, The Ethics Center
Jeffrey Kirsch, Lynne Kennedy, & Amanda Lincoln, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
Program:
The recent swine flu pandemic captured the attention and the worry of many of us. In simple terms, this epidemic was defined as a pandemic because it had spread rapidly not just through a local community, but through much of the world.

Modern science has been instrumental in better understanding the threats of infectious diseases, as well as providing us with tools to decrease the impact of those diseases. In some cases, our best recourse is an effective vaccine, but we also know that vaccine supplies are not always adequate, we frequently need new vaccines to match the evolution of infectious agents, and there are some risks of vaccination.

Another option is to treat infections when they occur with antibiotics or antiviral agents, but such treatments are often costly, they are variably effective, and if used inappropriately can help to shape the evolution of a more resistant strain of bacteria or virus.

But whether or not we already have effective vaccines, antibiotics, and antiviral agents, we can only guess as to whether a newly appearing pandemic will be either as severe or as widespread as may initially be feared.

Given these concerns, the focus of this discussion will be on how we should respond to such threats.  How do we decide when and how to act?  If decisions under crisis conditions are not always based on the most rational analysis, what can we do to better prepare ourselves individually and as a community when the next threat occurs?

Please join us and to help think through these important and timely questions.

Panelists:
  • Francesca J. Torriani, M.D., Professor, Clinical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, UC San Diego
  • Phillip Van Saun, Director, Continuity and Emergency Services, UC San Diego
RSVP: The program and parking are free but please RSVP by June 1.
To RSVP, go to http://ethicscenter.ucsd.edu/2009June3.html.
Once we receive your RSVP, we will send a confirmation with driving and parking details. We recommend that you arrive at the event by
5 p.m. Only those who have RSVP'd will be allowed to go in at that time. At 5:15 p.m. we will open the Lecture Hall to walk-ins and those not on the RSVP list.
Contact: Ethics Center