Bioethics hypothetical in Brisbane this week.

The University of Queensland is hosting a hypothetical on biomedical technologies in Brisbane on July 4.

Coinciding with the Australasian Biotechnology Conference, ABA 2000, the forum will examine many of the ethical, social and medical science issues surrounding the biotechnology revolution and explore leading-edge scientific research.

The hypothetical, to be held in The Long Room at Brisbane's Customs House from 9 am, will be facilitated by President of the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties, Mr Ian Dearden, who will present prominent community figures with many of the challenges of the present and future medical possibilities of biotechnology.

Participants in the hypothetical include the Queensland Attorney General Matt Foley, Co-director of The University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience Professor Peter Andrews and Director of the Children's Nutrition Research Centre at the Royal Children's Hospital Professor Geoff Cleghorn.

Other participants include; Institute for Molecular Bioscience team leader Associate Professor Jennifer Stow, Director of the Queensland Bioethics Centre Mr Ray Campbell, QUT bioethicist Dr Astrid Gesche, Griffith Law and Ethics lecturer Ms Kim Forrester, Head of the Queensland Clinical Genetics Service Associate Professor John MacMillan and Queensland Right to Life Association member Dr Arthur Hartwig.

The hypothetical is being hosted by Biofutures 2000, an inaugural University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology biomedical engineering camp for school students organised by undergraduates. The camp is creating awareness of the important role and career opportunities for engineers to play in medical research which can lead to significant advances in treatment and elimination of human disease and disability.

For more information contact Matt Rosinski, chair Biofutures 2000 on 3365 8392 or Peter McCutcheon at UQ Communications on 3365 1088 or 0413 380012.

You can also send us an email at communications@mailbox.uq.edu.au