Disrupting Ableism, Questions on Covid Vaccine Trials, the World Needs Ethics More than Ever

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December 10, 2020


** Artistic Visions for Disrupting Ableism
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Hundreds join Hastings Center Event
What will it take to bring about lasting justice for disabled people in the United States? When will every body—and every voice—be indispensable? Poets and activists Lateef McLeod and D.J. Savarese explored their ideas in “Disrupting Ableism with Artful Activism,” a virtual Hastings Center event on December 7. It was the third in a series of events produced by the Center and supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities that explores the ways in which people with disabilities choose to use – or choose not to use – technologies to promote their own flourishing. Learn more and watch the video of the full event ([link removed]) .



** In the Media: Hastings President Responds to Ethical Questions About Covid Vaccine Trials
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Now that the first Covid-19 vaccines to complete clinical trials have been shown to be effective, there are several ethical questions about the many ongoing and future trials. For example, should participants in the placebo arm of trials remain for altruistic reasons, delaying their possible vaccination for the sake of scientific understanding? "There's so much more we need to learn that it would be a real pity not to pursue randomized trials for additional vaccines,” said Hastings Center president Mildred Solomon in an interview with USA Today. “We need more vaccines, but researchers must do it in a responsible way that ensures fully informed voluntary consent. The bedrock principle in human research is that there must be voluntary and informed consent." She said that it would be ethical to ask participants to remain in trials as long as they are informed about the availability of effective vaccines. Read the article
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** The World Needs Ethics More than Ever: Support The Hastings Center
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This has been a year like no other. For all of us. Challenges raised by the pandemic, including tragic reminders of the health inequities deeply embedded in our culture, underscore the significant extent to which society needs bioethics to help chart the best path forward. With all its ups and downs, 2020 challenged The Hastings Center to elevate our research, public engagement, and societal impact. We seized the opportunity, influencing health care and science policy worldwide . . . but we can’t do it alone! Please support our efforts to promote just and compassionate health care for all people and the wise use of emerging technology in health care and the environment. Here’s how to donate ([link removed]) .




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Upcoming Events
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Addresssing Racism in Research and Clinical Practice. ([link removed])
Scientists, researchers, and scholars who study the ethical, legal, and social implications of genetics and genomics (ELSI) are increasingly becoming aware of the effects of structural racism on research and medicine that have long been overlooked by many except those who have studied and experienced them. How can our communities counteract these systemic forces in everyday practices? Cosponsored by The Hastings Center, the Personal Genetics Education Project, and Stanford and Columbia Universities. December 11, 12pm.

Ethical Challenges Posed by Big Data in Healthcare ([link removed])
Cosponsored by The Hastings Center, NYU Langone Health, Hasso Plattner Institut, and University of Cologne, New York. December 15.

Learn More ([link removed])
The Hastings Center seeks to ensure responsible health and science policy and practice. We work to secure the wisest possible use of emerging technologies and fair, compassionate, and just health care for people across their lifespan.

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