Plenary: Global challenges and opportunities
Monday 25 July 2011, 2:15pm - 3:40pm

LOCATION: MARY DUKE BALLROOM

New human biotechnologies raise concerns for the human community as a whole, and many of the most critical concerns will need to be addressed at the global level.  But the challenges involved in doing so successfully are profound. Our presenters at this plenary session sought to address several of these. What policies and practices need to be encouraged or discouraged at the national and global levels to ensure that human biotechnologies are developed in ways consistent with values of social justice, human rights, ecological integrity and the common good?  What are some of the most critical new challenges that call for a global response?  To what extent is there an emerging global consensus concerning the proper uses of human biotechnologies? What international institutions are in a position to play constructive roles in promoting responsible policies?  What immediate opportunities are at hand or need to be fostered to support collaborative action among civil society constituencies?