Medical ethics confab at YU

Yeshiva University’s Student Medical Ethics Society will partner with YU’s Center for the Jewish Future to explore the history, challenges and impact of infectious diseases, at the Tenth Annual Fuld Family Medical Ethics Society Conference.

Titled “Humanity’s Oldest Rival: Infectious Diseases: Then, Now and Beyond,” the conference, on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 9 am to 1 pm, will feature experts in the worlds of medicine and Jewish law. It will take place on the YU campus at 500 W. 185th St., Manhattan.

“We feel it’s important to tackle the topic of infectious diseases considering the current climate,” said MES Co-President Yael Mayer. “The Ebola Zaire viral epidemic in Africa, and its sudden appearance on our shores, spurred a great deal of panic; however, the general population had limited access to concrete knowledge of the disease. Similarly, the rising count of Zika infection in the United States is being met with much apprehension, but little understanding of the virus and its halachic implications.”

“The goal of this conference is twofold: to give people the opportunity to become aware of the science and halacha relating to infectious diseases and to give them an appreciation of the dedicated men and women who work tirelessly to combat this mounting threat,” added MES Co-President Ari Garfinkel. “To achieve that goal, the conference has been expanded to include other highly relevant issues, such as a look at the history of infectious diseases, and the rise of superbugs (antibiotic-resistant microbes), particularly in hospital infection.”

To register, visit yumedicalethics.com/events/humanitys-oldest-rival/.