The Institute on Biotechnology and the Human
Future (IBHF) is an affiliate of the Illinois
Institute of Technology (IIT) and is housed
at IIT’s Chicago-Kent College of Law.
The IBHF was founded in 2004 by Lori Andrews,
J.D., and Nigel M. de S. Cameron, Ph.D., to
discuss and analyze the ethical, legal, and
social implications of biotechnologies.
== Purpose ==
The Institute on Biotechnology and the Human
Future offers assessments of the scientific
benefits and risks of new developments in
biotechnology in light of their cultural and
ethical significance.
IBHF couples continuing academic and policy
research with the ability to provide analysis
to industry and policymakers.
== History ==
The Institute on Biotechnology and the Human
Future was established early in 2004 at Chicago-Kent
College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology.
Working at the intersection of a variety of
disciplines, the IBHF has become as a leader
in the study of biotechnology and its implications
for the human future.
The IBHF has regularly been called to Washington
D.C. to present information to the United
States Congress on matters related to biotechnology
and public policy.
In addition, the IBHF host numerous forums,
symposia, and other conferences around the
world aimed at furthering public discourse
and understanding of important issues in biotechnology.
Lori B. Andrews, J.D., distinguished professor
of law at Chicago-Kent and a leading commentator
on the legal and social issues raised by biotechnology,
co-founded the Institute, and continues to
serve as an advisor.
Nigel M. de S. Cameron, Ph.D., a bioethics
scholar whose special focus is the relations
of human values and public policy, joined
the law school as university research professor
of bioethics with responsibility for the development
of the Institute.
== Program Areas ==
The IBHF conducts research on existing and
emerging biotechnologies and their effect
on law, intellectual property regimes, public
health, medicine, genetics, public policy
and the environment.
IBHF focuses its efforts on six core areas:
Genetic Discrimination [1]
While the rapid advances in genetic technologies
offer great promise for the diagnosis and
treatment of inheritable diseases, they also
raise serious concerns about the potential
for the use of this genetic information to
discriminate against certain individuals.
The IBHF analyzes state and federal law, public
opinion, and industry information to make
policy recommendations.
Germline Intervention [2]
Germline Genetic Intervention makes possible
changes that will spread to every subsequent
generation; this form of genetic engineering
can also be called inheritable genetic modification
and has the potential to change the human
species along eugenic lines.
The IBHF analyzes scientific research related
to germline intervention and its implications
to law and bioethics.
Gene Patents [3]
Patents for human genetic material grant exclusivity
over naturally occurring sequences of human
genes and their effect on research and diagnosis.
The IBHF reviews and analyzes the effects
of gene patents on research, healthcare, business,
and individual rights.
Nanotechnology [4]
The IBHF reviews the development of nanotechnology
policy in the United States and Europe, with
special focus on the emerging nanotechnology
ethical, legal, and social issues (NELSI).
Human Cloning [5]
“Somatic cell nuclear transfer” technology
can be used to bring about the birth of replica
offspring, and to create embryos for experimentation.
The IBHF reviews and analyzes scientific information
and policy debates to make recommendations
and presentations around the world, including
the United Nations and in U.S. federal and
state bodies.
Reproductive Technology [6]
The IBHF analyzes developments in reproductive
technology, and focuses research on its related
ethical, legal, social, and political considerations.
== Themes ==
IBHF themes represent diverse perspectives
from which to analyze issues in biotechnology.
These themes are designed to encourage academics,
scientists, policy makers, and the general
public to discuss complicated biotech issues
in relation to their everyday lives.
IBHF themes include: Arts; Bio 101; Business;
Eugenics; Human Enhancement; International
== Publications, Conferences, and Events ==
The IBHF facilitates numerous conferences,
symposia, and other events aimed at building
a broad public discussion for issues in biotechnology,
law, and society.
Past events include:
Capitol Hill Briefing and national Press Club
Symposium, entitled Toward a Consensus on
Cloning?
U.S. Policy and the Global Debate
The Face of the Future: Technosapians?
Phase II, a conference on emerging technologies
and human nature in Washington, D.C., co-sponsored
with the Center for Bioethics and Culture
(CBC, and the International Center for Technology
Assessment (ICTA)
Capitol Hill Briefing on Gene Patents and
Embryo Patents: Policies and Impacts
Proposition 71: A Roundtable on Politics,
Ethics, and Science, co-sponsored with the
CBC and ICTA
Chicago Nano Forum – Hype or Hope: Exploring
Nano, Risk and Ethics
Illinois Institute of Technology Nano Colloquium
IBHF staff, fellows and scholars generate
publications to advance the scholarly discourse
in the fields of biotechnology, law, and society.
IBHF publications include:
The Human Future, e-newsletter
Nano & Society, e-newsletter
Nanologues, quarterly publication
== 
External links ==
The Institute on Biotechnology and the Human
Future
Center on Nanotechnology and Society
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Illinois Institute of Technology
IBHF Resources
