title: The President's Council on Bioethics 2002-2004: an overview.
abstract: The President's Council on Bioethics, headed by Leon Kass, was created by President George W. Bush to advise the President on issues of ethical import raised by advances in biomedical science. Between 2002 and 2004, members of the Council from diverse disciplines addressed topics such as human cloning, stem cell research, assisted reproduction, and medical interventions intended to enhance human capability or appearance. This article provides background on the Council and reviews its published reports. It also considers key definitions and distinctions, specific recommendations of the Council, and positions articulated by members who contributed to the development of its reports.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, MC-2050, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. mm46@midway.uchicago.edu
authors.forename: Mary B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Mahowald
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees; D001675:Bioethics; D019976:Cloning, Organism / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D033041:Embryo Research / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D028744:Ethics Committees, Research; D032984:Ethics, Research; D006801:Humans; D011640:Public Policy; D012099:Reproductive Techniques / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013234:Stem Cells; D014481:United States