July 21: 13th Annual Pediatric Bioethics Conference – The Cutting Edge: Ethical Controversies in Pediatric Surgery

Ethical issues involving children arise frequently in the surgical arena. While the core concepts of confidentiality, informed consent and respect for persons apply in the surgical realm, the application of these concepts in pediatric surgery can be challenging.

Surgical innovation often occurs through trial and error, rather than within a clinical trial. This reality raises questions about whether some formal review process should be required prior to using an innovative technique. Solid organ transplantation raises questions about justice that rarely arise in other areas of medicine. Additionally, surgical practice involving children raises many other unique issues: Should parents be allowed to refuse a solid organ transplant? Are surgical complications different from medical errors? Should surgeons share their success rates prior to surgery? Should babies with trisomy 18 be eligible for cardiac surgery? Should innovative surgical techniques be subject to regulatory oversight?

Join us for our 13th Annual Pediatric Bioethics Conference, where we will discuss ethical issues raised in the use of surgical interventions in children.

Date: Friday, July 21, 2017 8:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Location: Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66, Seattle, WA 98121
Contact: For more information, visit http://www.seattlechildrens.org/research/initiatives/bioethics/events/pediatric-bioethics-conference/.