Q&A: Myra Christopher
Kansas City Business Journal
December 15, 2006
The Center for Practical Bioethics recently published recommended policy guidelines regarding medical futility. The guidelines are designed to promote decision-making among patients, families and medical professionals.
Clinical Site Best Practices
Clinical Trials Advisor
www.FDANews.com
November 16, 2006
Clinical investigators and institutional review boards must take into account a range of complex ethical issues in recruiting patients for studies of age-related dementia. Unfortunately, the regulations in this field are not clear and consistent, according to participants in a recent roundtable on the subject sponsored by the Center for Practical Bioethics.
When love blossoms in nursing homes
Karen Uhlenhuth
The Kansas City Star
October 31, 2006
The Kansas City-based Center for Practical Bioethics, at the urging of some local long-term care facilities, convened a panel a year ago to consider voluntary guidelines emphasizing the need for care centers to establish a written policy, to train staff, and to protect vulnerable residents, particularly those with dementia.
Measure poses hard-to-answer question to Missouri voters
Matt Franck
St. Louis Post Dispatch
October 7, 2006
The Center for Practical Bioethics takes no position on Amendment 2, but it has circulated 50,000 guides on the ethics of the research, dealing with the issue ranging from egg extraction to the affordability of treatment. "Our concern is how we make sure that the research is conducted ethically," said Myra Christopher, Center president and CEO.
Pandemic Preparations Test Medical Ethics
Bob Priddy
Missourinet
September 4, 2006
Michael Brannigan of the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City says the medical professional is a dual agent whose primary obligation is to the individual patient but whose additional obligation is to the larger community.
Bioethicist and Nun Celebrates 80th Birthday, Years of Teaching
KCUR Radio
August 23, 2006
Sister Rosemary Flanigan, a bioethicist with the Center for Practical Bioethics, turned 80 on August 23. today. Flanigan shared insights into her long career as a nun, philosopher and teacher with KCUR's Kelley Weiss.
Bird Flu Ethics
Walt Bodine Show
August 15, 2006
Kansas Department of Health & Environment epidemiologist Dr. Gail Hansen and Terry Rosell from the Center for Practical Bioethics discuss practical strategies and ethical considerations related to the issue of a global bird flu pandemic.
Care for dying patients may sometimes be too aggressive
Kevin B. O'Reilly
American Medical News
August 7, 2006
"These studies reinforce the point that oftentimes aggressive care at the end of life ... is still an issue," said John G. Carney, vice president of aging and end of life at the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City, Mo. "This needs to be looked at from various perspectives, not just oncology."
The Coming Crisis in Healthcare
Kansas Public Radio
July 31, 2006
A recent lecture at the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City focused on the challenges facing health care providers as the number of elderly patients grows. The speaker, Emily Friedman, is a specialist on social ethics and health care. She spoke with Kansas Public Radio's Bryan Thompson about the changes that will need to be made as the nation ages.
Action needed to prevent bleak future for elderly
Julius Karash
Kansas City Star
July 25, 2006
Imagine a world where 20 percent of Americans are 65 or older. That was the 2030 scenario presented by writer, social ethicist and policy consultant Emily Friedman at last week’s Rosemary Flanigan Lecture at St. Joseph Medical Center. The event was sponsored by the Center for Practical Bioethics and Carondelet Health.
Healthcare: Today and in the Year 2030
Up to Date
KCUR Radio
July 19, 2006
Social ethicist and healthcare policy consultant Emily Friedman talks with Steve Kraske about the chaotic conditions of healthcare delivery if America continues on its present course. She'll also explain the other choices and alternatives we face.
Put health care wishes on paper
Guest Column
Bill Colby
Kansas City Star
June 18, 2006
For me medical treatment serves as a bridge to recovery, so that I can live life. If such recovery is not possible, then I want treatment stopped. Your views may be different.
Health system must reform now to brace for coming elderly boom
Guest Column
Myra Christopher
Kansas City Business Journal
June 16, 2006
The inevitable train wreck won't be caused by chickens. It will be caused by our lack of preparedness for the end of the baby boom generation, when 72 million of us who will be 80 or older.
Wealthy can buy organ priority
MATT STEARNS
Kansas City Star
June 5, 2006
“Clearly, those who have more resources are going to have greater access to more than one center. … People wouldn’t do it unless it increases their chances of getting an organ that would go to somebody else,” said Tarris Rosell, a bioethicist at the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City.
Right to Die
Up to Date
KCUR Radio
June 1, 2006
Guest host Laura Ziegler talks with attorney Bill Colby and neurologist Dr. Gordon Kelly about Colby’s newest book Unplugged: Reclaiming Our Right to Die in America. The book gives readers an update on the latest in right-to-die issues including political fallout and proposed legislation as a result of the case of Terri Schiavo.
African AIDS problem to be forum topic
Kansas City Star
May 9, 2006
The free forum is sponsored by the Center for Practical Bioethics. Seating is limited for the forum, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., May 18 at the Jewish Community Center, 5801 W. 115th St., so RSVP by calling the Center for Practical Bioethics at (816) 221-1100 or e-mail bioethic@practicalbioethics.org.
Nonprofit Professional of the Year
Myra Christopher
Center for Practical Bioethics...Providing Guidance at the Crossroads of Decision
Voice of Philanthropy
Spring 2006
Under Christopher’s leadership, the center has navigated ethical minefields as a voice of reason based on the philosophy that people of good will may never find consensus but can find common ground.
Don't wait till it's too late
John G. Carney
Medical Economics
May 5, 2006
Too often, Americans consider death an optional event. Everyone should have an advance directive and a durable power of attorney for healthcare decisions. Doing so is a supreme gift to physicians, patients, and families.
On Medical Futility: Considerations and Guidelines
Missouri Medicine
March/April 2006
"Despite a lack of consensus over what constitutes medical futility," says Michael Brannigan, PhD, Center Vice President for Clinical and Organizational Ethics, "our healthcare institutions have an unambiguous need for suitable and fair guidelines." To read a copy of the article, click here.
Ex-mayor working for pain management
Bill Tammeus
Kansas City Star
April 27, 2006
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is working to make sure that all Americans have access to appropriate pain management. He spoke Wednesday night at the annual fundraising dinner of the Center for Practical Bioethics at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center hotel.
Panelists speak in favor of stem-cell research
Mike Rice
Kansas City Star
April 26, 2006
Myra Christopher, a bio-ethicist and president and chief executive officer of the Center for Practical Bioethics, mentioned several risks involving stem-cell research, such as harvesting of eggs, false data, the creation of hybrid cells and the moral dilemma of allocating resources “when we turn our backs on 45 million people who are without adequate health care."
Giuliani to speak about drug issue at KC event
Steve Kraske
The Kansas City Star
April 6, 2006
Giuliani will address the annual dinner of the Center for Practical Bioethics at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center, 2345 McGee St. His speech is titled "The Use and Abuse of Pain Medicines: Toward a Balanced Public Policy."
Franck to speak at Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium
Lisa Waterman Gray
Kansas City Nursing News
March 31, 2006
Franck believes it's important to assess the best way to measure pain and treat it, for each individual child, and to keep in mind the interaction of mind, body and spirit as they relate to pain.
Cell divisions: The DNA of the debate about Missouri's stem cell measure
Rob Roberts
Kansas City Business Journal
March 24, 2006
Myra Christopher, CEO for the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City, said no one can answer the question of whether blastocysts created by SCNT or IVF are humans, potential humans or neither.
Panel to discuss stem-cell research
Kansas City Star
March 15, 2006
The Platte County Citizens Coalition, a nonpartisan civic organization, is hosting the event on March 20. It is open to the public. Star columnist Bill Tammeus will be the moderator for the event, which will begin at 7 p.m. The panel will include Myra Christopher, a bioethicist who is president and chief executive officer of the Center for Practical Bioethics.
Medically-Assisted Feeding: Who Decides?
Bryan Thompson
Kansas Public Radio
March 6, 2006
The State of Kansas is now weighing how to make end-of-life care decisions for those who’ve never had the mental capacity to consider such issues. Health Reporter Bryan Thompson has more in our ongoing series, “Kansas Health: A Prescription for Change”.
On Medical Futility: Considerations and Guidelines
Michael C. Brannigan, PhD
Missouri Medicine
March/April 2006
Despite a lack of consensus over what constitutes medical futility, our healthcare institutions have an unambiguous need for suitable and fair guidelines.
Developing End-of-life Model For Public Health - Center Launches Project With Centers For Disease Control
Medical News Today
February 15, 2006
“This is a big step for us and for the CDC,” says Myra Christopher, president and chief executive officer of the Center for Practical Bioethics. “Public health departments are an important channel to educate health consumers on end-of-life issues.”
Testimony: Use caution on end-of-life proposal
Wichita Eagle
February 14, 2006
"We cannot know, direct or predict with specific certainty today what future treatment decisions we will be asked to make for ourselves or those we love," said John Carney of Wichita, co-chairman of the LIFE Project Public Task Force.
Giving Life, Taking Life
KMBZ Radio
February 1-3, 2006
This three part series examined the political, religious and ethical perspectives associated with the debate on early stem cell research. Myra Christopher, Center president and CEO, is featured in part 3.
Audio Links: part 1, part 2, part 3, podcast
A Conversation with Myra Christopher
Greater Kansas City Business
February 2006
The Center’s core value is respect for human dignity. Today, the Center works in four areas: aging and end-of-life care; clinical and organizational ethics; life science and research ethics; and disparities in health and health care. “We’re more than a think tank,” Christopher says. “We’re not satisfied until we’ve taken action on what we’ve learned.”
Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
KCUR Radio "Up to Date"
January 26, 2006
Steve Kraske spoke with Dr. Robert George of Princeton University and and a member of the President's Council on Bioethics. Myra Christopher of the Center for Practical Bioethics joined the ethical debate over embryonic stem cell research and cloning.
Walking the path that Alan Watts trod
Vern Barnet
Kansas City Star
January 25, 2006
Last week I met Michael C. Brannigan of the Center for Practical Bioethics and learned he wrote Everywhere and Nowhere: The Path of Alan Watts. Asking about Watts is sort of like asking, “Please, explain the sky.” Nonetheless, Brannigan responded:
Missouri stem cell scientists wary of Prop. 71-style morass
Carl T. Hall
San Francisco Chronicle
January 22, 2006
"Our issue is not about finances," said Myra Christopher, head of the Center for Practical Bioethics, a Kansas City nonprofit group trying to steer a neutral course. "The issue in this state has really been about public sentiment, whether or not the electorate of this state believes the conduct of this research is appropriate."
Challenge to suicide law thrown out
Supreme Court clears way for more states to set policy
By STEPHEN HENDERSON
Knight Ridder Newspapers
January 18, 2006
The decision did not surprise Myra Christopher, president of the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City, which raises and responds to ethical issues in health and health care. “I think it is reasonable to imagine that this decision will prompt people who are pro-physician-assisted suicide to seek support for that in various states,” Christopher said.
More vital issue is care of the dying, doctors say
Judith Graham and Vincent J. Schodolski
ChicagoTribune
January 18, 2006
"I think several states will now look at this," said Myra Christopher, president of the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City, Mo. "Even though this matter has been resolved from a legal perspective in Oregon, significant moral and ethical issues remain and deserve rigorous discussion."
Body parts for profit
RIDGELY OCHS AND KATHLEEN KERR
Newsday
January 15, 2006
Tarris Rosell, bioethicist with the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City, Mo., said the issue is not so much a lack of regulation as it is that someone might be making money - however reasonable the profit - from a donated body part.
