“Defining
Life and Death”
Explored in Science Matters
A New Speakers Program at the
California Science Center
Los
Angeles– Science Matters, a new
speakers program that explores current science issues at
the forefront of public concern, will present “Defining
Life and Death” on January 21, 2006, from 1:30-3:30
pm in the Loker Conference Center at the California
Science Center. Distinguished panelists will discuss
fundamental questions regarding the state of medical science
and practice in today’s hospitals and the roles of
patients, family and physicians regarding end-of-life issues. Admission
is free.
Panelists
include Dr. Neil Wenger, Professor of General
Internal Medicine and Health Services Research at the University
of California, Los Angeles and Chair of the UCLA Medical
Center Ethics Committee; Shirley Otis-Green,
Senior Research Specialist, Nursing Research and Education
Department, City of Hope National Medical Center; Dr.
Jay Wolfson, Professor of Public Health and Medicine,
Associate Vice President at the University of South Florida
Professor of Law Health at Stetson College of Law, and Professor
of Medicine at Florida State University, who served as Terri
Schiavo’s special court-appointed guardian reporting to the
Governor of Flordia and the courts on her neurological capacities;
and Reverend Cecil Murray, Tanzy Chair of
Christian Ethics and Senior Fellow at the Center for Religion
and Civic Culture, University of Southern California and
Pastor Emeritus, First African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Prior to
the speakers’ program, the public is invited to participate
in a round-table seminar exploring the definition of life
through Plato’s Phaedo, a moving account of
Socrates's final conversations about the meaning of life
and death with friends, on the day of his execution. Participants
should read Phaedo before attending the seminar. Following
the speakers’ program, seminar participants will regroup
for a facilitated follow-up discussion. The round-table seminar
will take place from 10 -11:30 am and will be limited to
60 participants. There is no charge for members to
take part in the round-table seminar and a $10.00 fee for
non-members.
A special
exhibit developed by the Dallas Museum of Art entitled “After
Life” complements the panel discussion and seminar by exploring
perceptions of death and dying among diverse world cultures
through art. The exhibition is supported in part by a generous
grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services,
and will be featured at the Science Center from January through
April, 2006.
Science
Matters programs are held annually in the fall, winter
and spring at the Science Center. The debut program,
held last September, examined the pros and cons of stem
cell research. The final program in the 2005-2006
series will focus on:
- Cloning – April
15, 2006
- For
$30,000 you can clone your cat, and soon you will be able
to clone your dog. Scientists and ethicists explain the
current science of cloning and what’s possible in
the near future. In this light, policy makers, scientists
and ethicists discuss the responsibilities, obligations,
and implications associated with reproductive cloning.
For up-to-date
information on participants or to make a reservation for
Science Matters or the special roundtable seminar, please
visit: http://goto.californiasciencecenter.org/sciencematters
The California
Science Center and IMAX Theater are located
in historic Exposition Park just west of the Harbor 110
Freeway at 700 State Drive, Los Angeles. Open daily from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and
New Year’s Day. Admission to the exhibits is free. For
recorded information, including IMAX show times, call 323.SCIENCE
(323.724-3623). IMAX ticket prices range from $4.75 to
$8.00. For advance ticket purchases, group rates, or to
make free reservations for any visiting group of 15 or
more (required), call 213.744-2019. Parking is available
in the guest lot at Figueroa and 39th Street at $6 per
car, $10 for buses or oversized vehicles. Both the Science
Center and IMAX Theater are wheelchair accessible. For
further information, please visit our website at www.californiasciencecenter.org.
