PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Brain Science Experts to Examine Issues at the Intersection of Neuroscience and Morality

Contact: Nathan Bupp

(716) 626-1932

Special One-Day Symposium Will Address Fundamental Human Questions

The Institute for Science and Human Values (ISHV), in partnership with the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, will sponsor a one-day symposium entitled "Neuroscience and Neuroethics: Considering Nature, Nurture and Norms" on Friday, March 16, 2012. The program will run from 8am-6pm at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, 901 North Stuart Street, Suite 200, Arlington, VA, 20003.

This special event will bring together outstanding scholars to examine ways in which neuroscience can inform contemporary discussions about human nature, the human condition, and human relationships. Speakers will also address questions of how the neurosciences might influence these discussions in the coming decades. While providing some answers, brain science may actually foster other, more profound questions about what we are, what we know and do not know, and the ways we regard and treat ourselves and other species.

“We are proud to be co-sponsoring this event with the Potomac Institute and their Center for Neurotechnology Studies,” said Paul Kurtz, chairman and founder of ISHV. “This meeting promises to make a valuable contribution the cultural conversation surrounding neuroscience and human well-being. Our plan is to disseminate the fruits of this gathering to all educated laypersons with an interest in the topic.” With this goal in mind, the meeting will be broadcast via Internet streaming, and selected material from the symposium will be published in The Human Prospect, the quarterly journal of the Institute for Sciences and Human Values.

The Symposium will take a pragmatic view of the capabilities, limitations, potential and problems of neuroscience in describing, defining and shaping the human condition and predicament. While of high scholarly quality, the aim is to create a forum of multi-disciplinary discourse that is open and accessible to professionals and students from the sciences and humanities, as well as to the general public.

Featured speakers will include:

· Paul Kurtz, PhD, Institute for Science and Human Values. Special Symposium Introduction

· Gregory Berns, PhD Emory University "Neural Mechanisms of Values"

· William Casebeer, PhD Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency "Will, Narrative and Personal Responsibility"

· Patricia Churchland, PhD University of California San Diego "What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality"

· James Giordano, PhD Center for Neurotechnology Studies, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, University of New Mexico, University of Oxford, Symposium Chair "Neuroethics as Meta-ethics: Avoiding Icarus' Folly"

· Eric Racine, PhD Neuroethics Research Unit , Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) "Neuroimaging and the Values of Neuroscience"

· John Shook, PhD University of Buffalo "The New Ethics of Neuroethics"

A Continental breakfast will be served at 8 am and lunch will be served. There is a wine and cheese reception 5-6 pm. Admission is free of charge, but RSVP is required. For more details please visit www.nelsi-4.com.

To register, please contact Laurie Kinney at lkinney@potomacinstitute.org.

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The Institute for Science and Human Values (ISHV) is a research and advocacy organization founded by secular humanist visionary Paul Kurtz. It is committed to the enhancement of human values and scientific inquiry through the application of humanist ethics in all areas of human life on a planetary scale. The Institute publishes a quarterly journal called The Human Prospect. ISHV's Website can be found at http://www.instituteforscienceandhumanvalues.net

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Humanist Group Calls Attention to the Dangers of Nigerian Witch Hunter Helen Ukpabio

Contact: Norm R. Allen Jr.

Normallen958@aol.com

(716) 783-9926

The Institute for Science and Human Values (ISHV), an organization committed to advancing humanist ethics, is standing up for children and against dangerous superstition. The Institute has expressed concern that the controversial Nigerian witch hunter Helen Ukpabio is returning to the United States (Houston) to raise money for her work in Nigeria.

Ukpabio heads the Liberty Gospel Church. Much of her ministry is focused on identifying, harassing, ostracizing and persecuting alleged child witches and wizards. Though witch hunts died out in the West centuries ago, they are widespread in Africa, Saudi Arabia, India and other parts of the world. In many cases, religious fanatics torture and kill children accused of practicing sorcery

“It is appalling to learn that someone like Ukpabio could bring her act to this country and get any support,” says Norm Allen, director of the Institute’s international outreach program. “What is even more disturbing is that these dangerous and irrational beliefs and practices could once again become accepted in this nation.”

Ukpabio has tried unsuccessfully to silence her critics in Nigeria. In 2009, Leo Igwe of the Nigerian Humanist Movement (NHM), an affiliate of the Institute, participated in a local seminar on witchcraft and the rights of the child, organized by the NHM and the child rights organization Stepping Stones Nigeria (SSN). Members of Ukpabio’s church disrupted the meeting, physically assaulted Igwe, and stole his personal items.

Amazingly, Ukpabio and members of her church sued Igwe and SSN for millions of dollars, claiming that they were deprived of their right to believe in witchcraft. The Liberty Gospel Church lost the case and Igwe and SSN continue to rescue and defend alleged witches and wizards.

Allen not only opposes the persecution and killing of children, but the very belief in the power o witchcraft. “If people did not believe in the witches and wizards to begin with, there would be no basis for harming these young victims,” he said.

ISHV calls upon all of those concerned with the protection of children to protest against Helen Ukpabio’s event sponsored by Glorious Praise Ministries in Houston March 14-25, 2012. Emails may be sent to gloriouspraiseministry@yahoo.com. They may be visited at http://gloriouspraiseministry.com. They may be reached by phone at (713) 530-2080, or (713) 370-2587