Apart from three Nobel Prize winners in medicine, several extropians will be speaking at the Medicine for the New Millennium conference in Las Vegas in December (Robert Bradbury, Robert Freitas, author of Nanomedicine, Robin Hanson, Ralph Merkle, and myself).
The organizer of the event, Dr. Steven Price is generously giving a heavily reduced rate to ExI members and supporters. To add to his generosity, a portion of those registration fees will go to ExI.
Here's a chance to see how the medical community responds to strongly extropic thinking coming from several directions at once. Should be extremely interesting! I hope to see many of you there.
Max More
max@maxmore.com
President, Extropy Institute
>MEDICINE FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM is a conference directed primarily at
>professionals in medicine and the biological sciences but has a broad enough
>range so that it will be thoroughly understandable to anyone with a modest
>degree of scientific literacy. It will be held at the MGM Grand in Las
>Vegas, NV, on 12/12/99-12/15/99. Three Nobel laureates--Joseph Goldstein,
>MD, Ferid Murad, MD, PhD, and Kary Mullis, PhD--will speak, along with
>several individuals of a decidedly Extropian orientation, described below.
>Because the primary organizer of the conference has a strong Extropian
>orientation, and wants to attract as many Extropian attendees as possible,
>the normal conference fee of $695 (which will be paid by physician attendees
>not affiliated with ExI) is being reduced to $295.00 for ExI members and
>supporters.
>
>FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, call toll-free to 1-888-764-0004.
>
>CONFERENCE DESCRIPTION
>We are only months away from the year 2000. The way medicine is practiced
>will change dramatically during the early part of the new millennium we are
>about to enter, and to a degree without historical precedent. Progressive
>improvements in the understanding of mechanisms of drug action, coupled with
>parallel advances in rational drug design, are already giving us remarkable
>new pharmaceuticals. Combinatorial chemistry and automated testing
>procedures will greatly accelerate this process. Another shift we are
>already seeing, which will accelerate greatly, is the gradual replacement of
>invasive procedures by noninvasive ones, as a rapid increase in the
>sophistication and specificity of imaging technologies makes this possible.
>
>And this is only the tip of the iceberg. The complete sequencing of the
>human genome during the next few years will quickly lead to a cornucopia of
>post-genomic innovations. Incredible new technologies will make diagnosis
>vastly faster and more accurate, and therapeutics will be targeted to the
>genetic profile of each individual patient. Worn-out organs will be
>replaced by new ones specifically cultured from an individual's own cells.
>The aging process will be understood and slowed and possibly even stopped.
>
>Along with the vast changes wrought by wonderful and highly sophisticated
>new technologies, which inevitably will be relatively costly during the
>early phase of their introduction to clinical medicine, there will be a
>parallel growth in the use of low-tech, cost-effective interventions. Diet,
>exercise and lifestyle changes can vastly reduce incidence and morbidity in
>a broad range of conditions, a fact which is becoming more widely recognized
>not only by physicians but by large sectors of the patient population and,
>of course, by third part payers. The old adage that an ounce of prevention
>is worth a pound of cure will receive a dramatic impetus from this, as the
>demand for cost-effective approaches increases.
>
>This four-day course is a celebration of the wonders on the near-term
>horizon, offering vast improvements in health and expected longevity. It
>will focus on topics of high interest to a broad scientific audience, and
>should be of special interest to Extropians. One of the speakers is Dr. Max
>More, who needs no introduction. Other Extropy-oriented speakers include
>Robin Hanson, Ralph Merkle, Robert Freitas and Robert Bradbury.
>Additionally, Stephen Hicks, associated with The Objectivist Center (headed
>by David Kellley, formerly the Institute for Objectivist Studies) is also a
>speaker.
>
>After attending this conference, participants will be able to
>? Identify new research developments in genomics, molecular medicine,
>diagnostic imaging, stem cell technologies, tissue engineering, and organ
>generation
>? Determine how these new research developments will impact different areas
>of clinical medicine, and the expected time frame for this
>? Explain the role nanotechnology will play in medicine in the future
>? Describe the full effects of diet, exercise, and lifestyle both on general
>health and specific diseases, and the increasing recognition of the
>importance of these factors
>? Examine important innovations now being applied in specific areas of
>medicine, including neurology, cardiovascular surgery, and cancer medicine
>? Explore the ethical implications of new medical technologies
>? Discuss the effect of institutional structures on the economics and
>delivery of medical care
>
>ACCOMODATIONS
>Large room blocks have been made at the MGM Grand, Caesar's Palace, and
>Bellagio hotels, with rooms and suites available to conference participants
>at special discounted rates. Rooms are available to conference attendees
>for $79 per night at MGM Grand and $125 per night at Caesar's Palace and
>Bellagio, representing exceptional value.
>
>TRANSPORTATION
>Southwest Airlines and Continental Airlines on the one hand, and Budget
>Rent-a-Car on the other hand, have been selected as the official airlines
>and auto rental agency, respectively, for Medicine for the New Millennium,
>and all will offer special discounts to conference attendees.
>
>NON-ACADEMIC EVENTS
>This conference is designed to be thoroughly enjoyable as well as
>informative and educational, and towards this end we have arranged for name
>entertainment which will be offered in special performances EXCLUSIVELY for
>conference participants. There will be opportunities to meet, and be
>photographed with, name celebrities. And, for those who are golf
>enthusiasts, don't forget to bring your golf clubs. As a special bonus, we
>will have Doug Sanders, the noted golf pro, available to meet with and chat
>with attendees. Mr. Sanders will also give a limited-capacity golf clinic,
>about which attendees will be further informed at the beginning of the
>conference. Overall, we think you'll have a great time and learn a
>tremendous amount. We hope to see you there.
>
>PROGRAM SCHEDULE
>
>SUNDAY, December 12, 1999
>7:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M., Registration
>11:00 A.M.- 11:55 AM, The Revolution In Genomics And Molecular Medicine I,
>presented by JOSEPH L GOLDSTEIN, M.D.. University of Texas Health Science
>Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX; Nobel Laureate, Physiology or Medicine for
>1985, noted for his discoveries concerning the regulation of cholesterol
>metabolism
>11:55 A.M.-12:50 P.M., The Social Consequences of Increased Lifespan,
>presented by GEORGIA HALL, Ph.D., MPH, The University of Arizona Health
>Sciences Center
>12:50 P.M.-2:00 P.M., Lunch Break
>2:00 P.M.-2:55 P.M., Cloning And Its Possible Clinical Applications,
>presented by LEE SILVER, Ph.D., Princeton University
>2:55 P.M.-3:50 P.M., Ethical Implications Of New Medical Technologies I,
>presented by GREGORY PENCE, Ph.D., University of Alabama
>3:50 P.M.- 4:05 P.M., Break
>4:05 P.M.-5:00 P.M., Ethical Implications Of New Medical Technologies III,
>presented by STEPHEN HICKS, Ph.D., Rockford College
>5:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M., Institutional Design and Medical Practice, presented by
>ROBIN HANSON, Ph.D., George Mason University
>
>MONDAY, December 13, 1999
>9:00 A.M.-9:55 A.M., The Revolution In Genomics And Molecular Medicine II,
>presented by FERID MURAD; M.D., Ph.D., UT-Houston Medical School, Nobel
>Laureate, Physiology or Medicine for 1998, and distinguished for his seminal
>research on NO physiology and metabolism.
>9:55 A.M.-10:50 A.M., Stem Cell Technologies And Their Clinical
>Applications, presented by THOMAS OKARMA, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University
>School of Medicine and Geron Corporation
>10:50 A.M-11:05 A.M., Break
>11:05 A.M.-11:55 A.M., Telomerase, Cancer and Aging, presented by CALVIN
>HARLEY, Ph.D., Geron Corp.
>11:55 A.M.-12:50 P.M., Controlling Aging at the Molecular and Cellular
>Levels I, presented by MICHAEL FOSSEL, M.D., Ph.D., Michigan State
>University
>12:50 P.M. -2:00 P.M., Lunch Break
>2:00 P.M.-2:55 P.M., Controlling Aging at the Molecular and Cellular Levels
>II, presented by WILLIAM CLARK., Ph.D., UCLA and UCLA School of Medicine
>2:55 P.M.-3:50 P.M., Ethical Implications Of New Medical Technologies II,
>presented by TED PETERS, Ph.D., Pacific Lutheran Seminary/Graduate
>Theological Union
>3:50 P.M.- 4:05 P.M., Break
>4:05 P.M.-5:00 P.M., The Revolution In Genomics And Molecular Medicine III,
>presented by KARY MULLIS, Ph.D., Nobel Laureate, Chemistry, 1993, inventor
>of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.
>5:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M., Lifestyle Interventions: Effects on Health and
>Longevity, presented by STEVEN PRICE, M.D., Primary Medical Clinic and CEO
>of MEC, Inc.
>
>TUESDAY, December 14, 1999
>9:00 A.M.-9:55 A.M., Nanotechnology: What It Is And How It Will Change
>Medicine, presented by RALPH MERKLE, Ph.D., Xerox PARC
>9:55 A.M.-10:50 A.M., Nanomedicine: A Further Discussion, presented by
>ROBERT FREITAS, Ph.D., Foresight Institute, together with ROBERT BRADBURY,
>Aieveos Corporation
>10:50 A.M-11:05 A.M., Break
>11:05 A.M.-11:55 A.M., Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, presented by VIOLA
>VOGEL, Ph.D., University of Washington
>11:55 A.M.-12:50 P.M., The Big Picture: The Coming Revolution In Medicine,
>presented by MAX MORE, Ph.D., Extropy Institute
>12:50 P.M.-2:00 P.M., Lunch Break
>2:00 P.M.-2:55 P.M., Trends In Cardiac Surgery As We Enter The New
>Millennium, presented by GULSHAN SETHI, M.D, The University of Arizona
>Health Sciences Center
>2:55 P.M.-3:50 P.M., Herbals and Alternative Care: Going Forward or Going
>Backward?, presented by RYAN HUXTABLE, Ph.D., The University of Arizona
>Health Sciences Center
>3:50 P.M.- 4:05 P.M., Break
>4:05 P.M.-5:00 P.M., New Imaging Technologies and Diagnostics, presented by
>M. ELIZABETH MEYERAND, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
>5:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M., Panel Discussion
>
>WEDNESDAY, December 15, 1999
>9:00 A.M.-9:55 A.M., Neurology As We Move Into The 21st Century, presented
>by DAVID LABINER, M.D., The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center
>9:55 A.M.-10:50 A.M., Tissue Engineering and Organ Generation I, presented
>by DAVID MOONEY, Ph.D., University of Michigan
>10:50 A.M-11:05 A.M., Break
>11:05 A.M.-12:00 noon, Tissue Engineering and Organ Generation II, presented
>by LINDA GRIFFITH, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
>12:00 noon -1:00 P.M., Panel Discussion
>
>
>
>PROGRAM FACULTY
>
>? JOSEPH L GOLDSTEIN, M.D.. Professor, University of Texas Health Science
>Center at Dallas; Nobel Laureate, Physiology or Medicine for 1985.
>? KARY MULLIS, Ph.D., Nobel Laureate, Chemistry, 1993.
>? FERID MURAD; M.D., Ph.D., Professor, UT-Houston Medical School; Nobel
>Laureate, Physiology or Medicine for 1998.
>? THOMAS OKARMA, M.D., Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine,
>Stanford University School of Medicine, and President and CEO of Geron
>Corporation
>? DAVID MOONEY, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Chemical
>Engineering, University of Michigan
>? LINDA GRIFFITH, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Chemical
>Engineering and Division of Bioengineering and Environmental Health,
>Massachusetts Institute of Technology
>? RYAN HUXTABLE, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology, University of Arizona
>College of Medicine
>? GEORGIA HALL, Ph.D., MPH, Clinical Lecturer, Family and Community
>Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine
>? DAVID LABINER, M.D., Associate Professor of Neurology and Director of the
>Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of Arizona College of Medicine
>? GULSHAN SETHI, M.D., Professor of Surgery, University of Arizona College
>of Medicine
>? RALPH MERKLE, Ph.D., Research Scientist, XEROX PARC
>? ROBERT FREITAS, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Foresight Institute
>? ROBERT BRADBURY, CEO, Aieveos Corporation
>? M. ELIZABETH ARY MEYERAND, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medical Physics,
>University of Wisconsin
>? VIOLA VOGEL, Ph.D., Professor of Bioengineering and Director of the
>Nanotechnology Center, University of Washington
>? WILLIAM CLARK, Ph.D., Professor of Cell, Molecular and Developmental
>Biology, UCLA and UCLA School of Medicine
>? CALVIN HARLEY, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Geron Corp.
>? STEVEN PRICE, M.D, Primary Medical Clinic, The Woodlands, Texas, and CEO
>of MEC, Inc.
>? MICHAEL FOSSEL, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine,
>Michigan State University
>? LEE SILVER, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Princeton University
>? MAX MORE, Ph.D., President and Director, Extropy Institute
>? TED PETERS, Ph.D., Professor of Systematic Theology, Pacific Lutheran
>Seminary/Graduate Theological Union
>? GREGORY PENCE, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Philosophy and School of
>Medicine, University of Alabama
>? STEPHEN HICKS, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chairman of the Department
>of Philosophy, Rockford College
>? ROBIN HANSON, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Economics, George Mason
>University
>