Students take on bioethics

DNA-based discrimination drew some fierce discussion last night during one of a recent string of campus dialogues. An intimate group of students, representing both undergraduate and graduate viewpoints, debated several bioethical issues in the Quadrangle's Class of 1938 Lounge. PennTalks, in conjunction with the Resident Advisory Board, organized the event. Seven students, together with Penn Public Talk Project Assistant Director Lillian Rozin, discussed five cases that Penn Center for Bioethics Director Arthur Caplan covered earlier in the year during a graduate student forum. Mike Pezzicola, a Wharton and Engineering junior and RAB member, served as the mediator for the discussion. "PennTalks are about student discussion and interaction," Pezzicola explained, adding that the program is meant to promote "community through conversation." One of the participants, a medical student, helped keep the discussion factual. The issues that arose concerned living wills, insurance companies and discrimination. Through the discussions, the students came to the conclusion that court decisions related to the right-to-die would affect many non-medical issues as well. Specifically, they mentioned devout Catholic parents who would not allow a hospital to perform an operation that would separate their conjoined twins. "It's the government telling a religion that their beliefs are wrong," Pezzicola said. "Where do you draw the line?" "When is it abuse?" Rozin challenged the group. "When do we need to step in?" Some of the topics also touched upon genetics. A stream of discussion surrounded the question of whether parents should be able to choose their children's gender wandered off into a debate on cloning pets. PennTalks are led by a moderator, not a lecturer, according to Pezzicola. The rules are simple: Feel free to share your beliefs, respect others' opinions and don't interrupt. Previous PennTalks have focused on reality TV shows, such as Survivor, and the culture shock experienced by students studying abroad.