Release date: March 12, 2002
Contact: Elaine Justice, Associate Director, Media Relations,
at 404-727-0643 or ejustic@emory.edu

Legal, Ethical Issues Surrounding Frozen Embryos Focus of Emory Seminar

WHO: Atlanta attorney John C. Mayoue; Michael J. Broyde, Emory School of Law; Timothy P. Jackson, Candler School of Theology; and Carol Hogue, Rollins School of Public Health

WHAT: "Legal and Ethical Issues Surrounding the Use and Disposition of Frozen Embryos," a lecture and panel discussion sponsored by Emory University's Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Religion, and the Law and Religion Program.

WHEN: 11 a.m.--2 p.m., Wednesday, March 20

WHERE: Tull Auditorium, Gambrell Hall, 1301 Clifton Road, Emory

PARKING: Parking in Visitors Lot; follow directional signs at School of Law

COST: Free and open to the public; $21 fee for attorneys seeking CLE credit. For more information, call 404-727-1018 or 404-712-8710.

More than 150,000 frozen embryos are currently stored in some 400 clinics nationwide. To date, very few states have established laws that address the concerns presented by the prevalence of this medical procedure (IVF). Coupled with the high divorce rate in this country, the situation raises compelling legal, social and ethical issues about people's ability to "own" or have custody of embryos, transfer them to others, or use them as they see fit.

Atlanta attorney John C. Mayoue, of Warner, Mayoue & Bates, P.C., Atlanta, and president of the Emory Law Alumni Association, has handled several cases involving disputed frozen embryos, and will talk about the historical context of the disputes and the way that courts, scholars and legislatures have attempted to address the issues that surround them. Responses from Emory University faculty members Michael Broyde, associate professor of law; Carol Hogue, Terry Professor of Public Health; and Timothy Jackson, professor of Christian ethics, will follow his speech. Participating attorneys may qualify for two hours of continuing law education (CLE) credit.

The seminar is part of the Emory Law School's Law Alumni Weekend and one of two CLE programs for alumni that feature law school faculty and other noted experts. The school also is sponsoring a program on legal issues in the aftermath of Sept. 11 on Saturday, March 23. The weekend draws hundreds of alumni back to campus each year for social and professional programs.

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