Symposium on Bioethics and Public Policy
To Be Held at U. T. Dallas on Feb. 6

Panel Discussion Will Address End-of-Life Decision-Making

RICHARDSON, Texas (Jan. 28, 2004) — The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) will host a symposium on bioethics and public policy on Friday, Feb. 6, at 9 a.m., in the McDermott Suite of the Eugene McDermott Library on the UTD campus.   The symposium, entitled “End of Life Decision—Making and Public Policy:   Reflections on the Terri Schiavo Case,” will focus on issues related to the Florida case of Schiavo, who doctors say is in a persistent vegetative state and who has been the subject of a legal battle between her husband, Michael, who has sought to disconnect the feeding tube keeping her alive, and her parents, who want to take care of her.

In recent months, the Florida Legislature and Florida Governor Jeb Bush have sought to intervene in the case to maintain life support for Schiavo, who collapsed in 1990 when her heart stopped from what doctors believe was a chemical imbalance.

Panelists will include Dr. Anthony Champagne, professor of government and politics at UTD; Dr. Douglas Dow, assistant professor of government and politics at UTD; Dr. Robert L. Fine, director of clinical ethics at Baylor Health Care System; and Margit Whittaker, a doctoral student at UTD.   The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Richard K. Scotch, a professor of sociology and political economy and the director of the Center for the Study of Communities in UTD’s School of Social Sciences.   There will be a brief question and answer session after the discussion.

The talk is free and open to the public, but participants should call 972-883-2922 by Monday, Feb. 2 to reserve a seat.   Organizers hope to host a symposium on bioethics and public policy annually.  

About UTD
The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor®, enrolls about 13,700 students. The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. For additional information about UTD, please visit the university’s web site at www.utdallas.edu.