Shuttle loss hits home for U. professor

As one of NASA's key figures, Penn Professor of Psychiatry and Sociology Paul Wolpe was one of the members of the campus community most affected by the destruction of the Columbia space shuttle. In Houston, Wolpe holds the position of chief of bioethics, through which he advises the space agency about subject and animal protection, ethics concerning employees and clinical matters. Upon hearing the news of the shuttle's disintegration, Wolpe reported feeling "an overwhelming sense of grief." He added, however, that instances like this are "part of the peril of human exploration." Of course, this past week, Wolpe -- who will attend the closed memorial service in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on Thursday -- has been involved with NASA more than usual, helping the agency with a number of critical issues. As chief of bioethics, he has offered advice on a number of matters, especially concerning the handling of human remains, and has also given suggestions as to what information is appropriate for press release and how to manage counseling for both families and staff. Despite its gravity, the situation will not affect Wolpe's presence on campus, as he will continue to divide his time between Penn and NASA as usual. When some students in his class asked him to voice his opinion on the event, Wolpe explained how the study of bioethics can enhance the well-being of all those involved. "Bioethics has a role in helping agencies like NASA to deal with something like this," he said. Wolpe stated that this episode will hurry the development of the next generation of space vehicles and will also bring a "rededication" of NASA to safety issues. While the discipline of bioethics will not be directly affected by the Columbia's destruction, Wolpe said that people will be more aware of its importance and of the contributions it can make. The professor concluded by stating that this event is different from that of the Challenger -- unlike then, there is little question today that the space travel program must continue. "The question," he said, "is how can we do it safely." -- Margherita Ghiselli