For immediate release
Further information: contact Joseph Giomboni
Public Relations office, (570) 208-5957

Jan. 5, 2016 - Father Kevin FitzGerald, S.J., Dr. David Lauler Chair of Catholic Health Care Ethics in the Center for Clinical Bioethics, Georgetown University, will deliver the 2016 Saint André Bessette Lecture at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, in the Burke Auditorium at King’s College. 

The lecture is sponsored by The McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility at King’s. In case of inclement weather, the lecture will be rescheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, in the Burke Auditorium. 

Media reports tout groundbreaking advances in genetic research and genomic medicine and celebrate how these medical advances will benefit patients and society. During a presentation titled “21st Century Genomic Medicine: What Care and for Whom?,” Father FitzGerald will examine several new medical technologies and their perceived benefit to suggest approaches that could lead to a better integration of genetic and genomic advances into the health care system.

In addition to his other appointments, Father FitzGerald serves as an associate professor, Department of Oncology, at Georgetown University Medical Center. He received doctorates in molecular genetics and in bioethics from Georgetown University. His research focuses on the investigation of abnormal gene expression in cancer and on ethical issues in biomedical research and medical genomics.  

Father FitzGerald has given presentations nationally and internationally on such topics as human genetic engineering, cloning, stem cell research, and personalized medicine.  He has published both scientific and ethical articles in peer-reviewed journals, books, and in the popular press.

Father FitzGerald is a founding member of Do No Harm, a member of the ethics committee for the March of Dimes, Genetic Alliance IRB, and Stem Cell Research Commission for the State of Maryland.  In addition, he served until March 2009 as a member of the DHHS Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society. He has been a Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Academy of Life since 2005, and has been a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for Culture since 2014.

Saint André Bessette, the first Holy Cross Congregation member to attain sainthood, was known as a healer for his devotion to the sick and afflicted. The King’s College Student Health Center, André Hall, is named in his honor. 

The Burke Auditorium is located in the William G. McGowan School of Business on North River Street. Parking will be available in on-campus lots. For more information, please contact Dr. Bernard Prusak, director, McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, at (570) 208-5900, ext. 5689.

Father Kevin FitzGerald, S.J.