Christian Neuroscience Society

In the current era of biotechnological advances, there is critical need to better understand what it means to be a human person. Many recent biotechnological innovations—such as IVF with possible embryo reduction, genetic testing for the selection of embryos, some forms of birth control, and the use of embryonic stem cells—may be considered either life destroying or life-enhancing depending on one’s view of what it means to be a person. I will survey some historical and contemporary models of personhood, to help us more clearly think about the meaning and value of the afore-mentioned procedures and other policy issues. — Raymond E. Phinney, Jr., PhD, Wheaton College, October 15, 2012.