Harold Stoner Clark Lectures: Gregory Pence, Ph.D.

Gregory Pence, known as one of the founders of bioethics, is internationally famous for defending cloniing and genetically modified food against bio-Luddites and naysayers who oppose research on stem cells and cloning. His book Who’s Afraid of Human Cloning? (1998) is regarded as a classic in bioethics for its rigorous attack on opponents of cloning. His most recent book is Cloning After Dolly: Who’s Still Afraid? (2005).

Pence teaches in the School of Medicine and Department of Philosophy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. A professor for more than 30 years, he has won numerous awards for teaching both undergraduate and medical school students. Constantly in demand by the media, Pence has been interviewed on national television news and talk shows, National Public Radio, and by TIME Magazine, The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. He has testified before Congress and the California Senate in opposition to laws against cloning.

10 a.m. “Stem Cells, Little Persons, and Scientific Research”
The debate about stem cells concerns both moral status and practicality. Both issues need explanation, especially when the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine uses taxes to fund research with such cells.

4 p.m. “Organic or Genetically Modified Food – Which Is Safer?”
Genetically modified corn, soybeans or apples have never made anyone sick, ever. Yet naturalists claim that genetically modified food is dangerous. This talk explores various systems of producing food and whether genetically modified vegetables are dangerous threats or new tools.

This is the 24th annual Harold Stoner Clark Lecture Series, endowed by the late Mr. Clark and sponsored by the Department of Philosophy.

Admission is free. Reservations are not required, but seating is limited. Limited parking is available in Chapel Circle and on Chapel Lane. Additional parking is available in the Pederson Administration Building parking lot at the corner of Olsen Road and Mountclef Boulevard and in the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center parking lot north of Olsen Road. Street parking on campus is by permit only Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

View a list of past speakers