BIOETHICS NETWORK IN CHINA

Affiliated with Chinese Society for Philosophy of Nature, Science and Technology, China’s Association of Science and Technology

Foreword

The purpose of establishing Bioethics Network in China is to report the major events in China’s bioethics to the world. The experiences of Chinese bioethicists who participated in international dialogues dictate the necessity and urgency of establishing such a network, because there are so much misunderstanding or distortion about China’s bioethics in the presentations or articles delivered by foreign colleagues. One reason is all major websites in China are in Chinese, our foreign colleagues have to collect information from those publications which are full with misunderstanding and distortion. We hope that the Bioethics Network in China will make contributions to mutual understanding between Chinese scholars and foreign colleagues and between Chinese people and peoples in the other part of the world.

WCB’06

Call for Papers: the 8^th World Congress of Bioethics in Beijing in 2006 (text, its hardcopy and electronic copy will be disseminated soon)

Every two years, people from around the world interested in bioethics–physicians, nurses and philosophers, lawyers, theologians, social and natural scientists, biomedical researchers, civil society leaders, and healthcare policy-makers–gather at the World Congress of Bioethics. Over the past dozen years, these global gatherings have been held in many of the world's great cities–Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, San Francisco, Tokyo, London, Brasilia, and Sydney. It is now my pleasure, on behalf of the International Association of Bioethics, to invite you to the VIII World Congress in Beijing in August 2006. Like the country in which it will take place, this conference will be large and diverse, delving into issues generated by the latest developments in biotechnology and health systems and by the age-old dilemmas of medical practice and research. In addition to the Congress itself, satellite sessions will offer further opportunities to explore the intersection of ethics and a wide range of technical and cross-cutting topics. So join us in China next August, where you can see old friends and make new ones and explore not only the capital city but many other locales in this dynamic, culturally rich, and infinitely intriguing land!

On behalf of the IAB, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to come the 8^th World Congress of Bioethics. It will be take place in the mysterious and fascinating Beijing. Set apart the 6 to 9 August 2006 in order to come to this promising bioethical event. The World Congress of Bioethics gives an important international platform for people interested in ethics, health, science and environment to share and discuss our work and learn of bioethics in all parts of the world. I am sure this Congress will provide a rich and memorable opportunity to consider numerous developments in health and science, as well as major events taking place throughout the world.

For the first time, The biannual World Congress of the International Association of Bioethics will be held in China. This 8th Congress, which will be held 6-9 August, 2006 in Beijing, will be a fascinating and perhaps even historic event for all participants.

For most of our Chinese colleagues, this Congress will provide the first opportunity to enter into discussion with scholars from around the world on the most significant and sensitive issues in bioethics today. Those of us coming to Beijing from abroad will have a unique opportunity to understand the issues that concern the people of this most populous nation. And like the other World Congresses, every hour will be filled with presentations and debates on the questions that concern us.

The Congress has been scheduled for August to give bioethicists and their families an opportunity to explore Beijing and China, an experience not to be forgotten. While Beijing has developed a thoroughly modern tourist infrastructure, prices remain relatively low.

On behalf of the International Advisory Committee, I invite you to put the 8th World Congress on your calendar for 2006, and to join us now in planning the Congress and its satellite meetings.

On behalf of the Congress Committee, I warmly welcome you come to Beijing in 2006 and participate in the 8th World Congress of Bioethics which is scheduled to be held on August 6-9, 2006.

China is now becoming a very energetic laboratory in the process of economic growth, scientific research, social development and globalization. The long period of economic boom, the change in economic system and social structure, and the changing role of the state have made innovation in every area of life a necessity. The 2006 World Congress of Bioethics in Beijing will provide a forum to debate on all bioethical issues facing all of us nowadays. China is both the past and the future of the developing world, and the study and research on its bioethical issues as well as its social issue will have global ramifications. And the open, reasoned, and argumentative style of much of the best international work in bioethics will be a model for resolving differences in our international community with moral diversity.

Beijing is one of the most attractive cities in the world with a fascinating history and fast developing modernity. As the capital of China and the center of social, economic, political and cultural developments, Beijing is fully capable to facilitate conventions and accommodations to meet diverse needs.

We sincerely welcome you, as well as other colleagues from all over the world, to Beijing in 2006. We are fully confident that this event will rank among the most fulfilling events of splendid world congresses of bioethics since the inauguration of IAB.

International Advisory Committee

Chairman:
Daniel Wikler		Harvard School of Public Health, USA

Members:
Solomon Benatar		University of Cape Town, South Africa
Zulfikar Bhutta		Aga Khan University, Pakistan
Dan Brock		Harvard Medical School. USA
Nicholas Bunnin		Oxford University, UK
Alexander Capron		World Health Organization
Ruth Chadwick		University of Lancaster, UK
Norman Daniels		Harvard School of Public Health, USA
Bernard Dickens		University of Toronto, Canada
Ezekiel Emanuel		National Institutes of Health, USA
Kenzo Hamano		Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan
Edwin Hui		Hong Kong University, HK, China
Ryuichi Ida		Kyoto University, Japan
Anne Fagot-Largeault		College de France, France
Reidar Lie		University of Bergen, Norway
Weyma Lübbe		Leipzig University, Germany
Florencia Luna		FLASCO, Argentina
Thomas Pogge		Columbian University, USA
Julian Savulescu		Oxford University, UK
Gamal Serour		Al-Azhar University, Egypt
Peter Singer		Princeton University, USA
Godfrey Tangwa		University of Yaounde, Cameroon
Julia Tao		City University of Hong Kong, HK, China
Boris Yudin		Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia

Congress Committee

Honorary Presidents:
Peng Ruicong	Ethics Committee, the Ministry of Health, China
Hu Ching-li	Former Deputy Director-General of WHO China

President:
Qiu Renzong	Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China
Vice-presidents:
Du Zhizheng	Dalian University, China
Li Benfu	Peking University, China
Shui-cheun Lee	Central University, Taiwan, China
Ni Huifang	Yunan University, China
Paul Tam	Hong Kong University, HK, China
Julia Tao	City University of Hong Kong, HK China
Zhai Xiaomei	Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, China

Secretary General:
Zhai Xiaomei	Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, China

Members:
Cai Renhua	Chinese Institute of Health Economics, China
Cao Nanyan	Tsinghua University, China
Chen Xiaoyang	Shandong University, China
Dong Yuzheng	Guangzhou Medical College, China
Fan Ruiping	City University of Hong Kong, HK, China
Feng Gong	Beijing University of Agriculture, China
Gan Shaoping	Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China
Guo Zhaojiang	Fourth University of Military Medicine, China
Hu Xinhe	Chinese Academy of Science, China
Lei Jincheng	Jiangxi Medical College, China
Lei Ruipeng	Huazhong Unieversity of Science and Tchnology
Li Jianhua	Central South University
Li Jianhui	Beijing Normal University, China
Li Yiting	Capital University of Medical Sciences, China
Liang Congjie	Friends of Nature, China
Shen Mingxian	Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, China
Daniel F-C Tsai	Taiwan University, Taiwan, China
Wang Jue	Southeast University, China
Wang Hongqi	Shanxi Medical University, China
Wang Yanguang	Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China
Wu Zunyou	Chinese Center for Disease Control, China
Yin Yiqiao	Macao Nursing School, Macao, China
Zhang Konglai	AIDS Network, China
Zhu Wei	Fudan University, China

There are hotels in Beijing ranging from deluxe to economy. Special room rates for this meeting will be negotiated.

Tours

City tours and post-conference tours will be arranged to offer delegates a unique opportunity to enjoy the oriental scenery and culture and ancient civilization in China.

Beijing, an international metropolitan city, has a culture that goes back to 3000 years. The history of civilization is well captured by a huge number of cultural relics and sites of interest such as palaces, gardens, tombs and temples. Beijing is also a modern city. It will be the host city of the 29th Olympics Games to be held in 2008.

Beijing has convenient transportation systems. It has direct air links to all other major cities in the world. Buses and subway are available for inner city destinations. Taxi operates around the clock.