After tackling topics that may sometimes seem futuristic, like transhumanism in 2017, the European Bioethics Forum in Strasbourg tends to focus more on topical issues like Covid-19 two years ago. .
For his 13e edition, its speakers will take an interest in the environment on the 1is to February 4 at Aubette.
From religions to birth rate
It will not be a question of “debating the climate reality”, warns Aurélien Benoilid, its president, but of “thinking about the answers to be provided” to reverse the situation.
If by certain behaviors Man is responsible for upheavals, he is also “the victim” and “the last hope” of resolution.
More specifically, the Forum will give rise to an inaugural conference on Wednesday 1is February at 6 p.m. Orchestrated by Aurélien Benoilid and Pierre-Henri Duée, honorary director of INRAE and former president of the technical section of the National Consultative Ethics Committee, the theme will be: “Human beings and their borders”.
Eleven round tables scheduled
Eleven round tables are also scheduled over the next three days. They will in particular address the consequences of air pollution on the development of chronic diseases (cancer, diabetes, etc.) or the compatibility of religions with ecology: “How can these two dogmas cohabit? »
Another subject announced: “Having a child, a risk for the planet? “. This theme highlights, in itself, certain antagonisms existing between bioethics and the defense of the environment.
For bioethicists, any question must be posed through the prism of the human being; for the most radical ecologists, the latter is, on the contrary, to be dismissed as the cause of disturbances. Published in 2017 by the Swedish University of Lund, a study – controversial – suggests that avoiding having an extra child could allow a greater reduction in CO2 emissions than eliminating the car. “To have fewer children would perhaps be the most reasonable decision for the planet, but the craziest for the human species”, note the organizers of the Forum in their program.
The latter is available on www.forumeuropeendebioethique.eu. Open to all with free access, the meetings will also be broadcast live on this website as well as on www.dna.fr.
