Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics

06/02/2026

in the Academic Lit - This Week - HIV Phylogenetic Research: Perceived Ethical Risks, Sieve of Asclepius, Social Value, Surgical Ethics, Patients' Views on Autonomy, Taking the Right to Die Seriously, Care Ethics, + More

June 2, 2026 Perceived Ethical Risks of HIV Phylogenetic Research: Insights from Professional Stakeholders in Uganda, AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses Authors: Farirai Mutenherwa, Tom Lutalo, Ronald Galiwango, Jennifer Brophy Feltes, Jade Jackson, Oliver Laeyendecker, Nelson Sewankambo, Jeremy ...

06/02/2026

New reproductive technologies are creating profound ethical questions for families, clinicians, and policymakers alike.

When Kristelle and Evan Shulman lost their son Noah to a rare mitochondrial disease, they were told they might never have a healthy biologically related child. Then they discovered mitochondrial replacement technology (MRT), a controversial procedure that could prevent the disease from being passed on to future generations.

The next episode of playing god?, the award-winning podcast from the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, explores the extraordinary hope—and profound uncertainty—surrounding emerging reproductive technologies.

Listen to “Losing Noah” (Part 1) – http://bioethics.jhu.edu/playing-god

playing god? is a podcast from the Dracopoulos-Bloomberg iDeas Lab at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics that explores the ethical questions shaping medicine, science, and public health through conversations with researchers, clinicians, patients, and policymakers. It is hosted by Lauren Arora Hutchinson, Director of the iDeas Lab; executive producers are Anna Mastroianni and Jeff Kahn.

06/02/2026

Perceived Ethical Risks of HIV Phylogenetic Research: Insights from Professional Stakeholders in Uganda. Farirai Mutenherwa, Tom Lutalo, Ronald Galiwango, Jennifer Brophy Feltes, Jade Jackson, Oliver Laeyendecker, Nelson Sewankambo, Jeremy Sugarman, Mary Kate Grabowski

05/29/2026

Global & Policy Program Weekly Roundup | More Protein, Redrawing Global Agricultural Markets, More Going Hungry, Salmon Is Culture, 'Remarkable Increase' in Food Insecurity, Do Good - But Do It Right, + More

The Johns Hopkins Global Food Ethics and Policy Program, a collaboration of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International studies, addresses critical global issues of under- and over-nutrition and diet-related diseases, poverty, inequity ...

05/29/2026

Johns Hopkins announces funding for Washington, DC-based projects and research: The Nexus Awards Program supports a diverse range of programming, research, and teaching activities at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center | Hub

Congrats to our Jeff Kahn, Ruth Faden, Anna Mastroianni, Mario Macis, Katherine Cheung, Stephanie Morain & Jeremy Greene, w/ projects on psychedelic policy, pregnant women's access to non-pharmacological pain management, rare disease therapy & more!

More info:

The Nexus Awards Program supports a diverse range of programming, research, and teaching activities at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center

05/28/2026

Ethics and Life Sciences Weekly Roundup | Brain Code in Flux, Embodiment Constraint? AI Therapy Notes, Why Patients Use ChatGPT, Artificial Wombs, Embryo Editing, (Mis)Trust Among Patients Seeking Unproven Stem Cell-Based Interventions, + Much More

05/28/2026

AI Ethics & Governance Weekly Roundup | Papal Encyclical, Cancelled Executive Order, AI Ethics thru a Cultural Anthropology Lens, Mandatory Reporting by AI? Too Dangerous? Think Like a Dragonfly, Digital Determinants of Health - Call to Action, + Much More

05/28/2026

Join us June 4, 7pm for the premiere of hyper_object

Blending live theater, artificial intelligence, wearable neurotechnology, and interactive media, hyper_object is a new immersive neuro-theater performance that tells the story of a mysterious planet that can perceive the thoughts of humankind. The production asks profound questions about the relationship between human intelligence, AI, and planetary intelligence at the beginning of the 21st century.

Created, written & directed by Professor Graham Sack in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team from across Johns Hopkins University, hyper_object premieres June 4, 7-8:30p, Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC.

Link for free tickets (required): hyperobject.thundertix.com

05/27/2026

Berman Institute Bulletin - This Week - To Infinity and Beyond - At What Cost? Understanding MAiD, AI Ethics through a Cultural Anthropology Lens, Artificial Wombs, Embryo Editing, hyper_object Event, Unconsented Data Use, Availability, + Much More

05/26/2026

Listen/Watch Now | Understanding Medical Aid in Dying: Ethics and Misconceptions.

A discussion with Jeff Kahn about MAiD & the first episode in the new season of the playing god? podcast, "I Need you to Help Me Die", an exploration via first-person storytelling and expert analysis. | End of Life University Podcast

This episode includes:

- Why the Berman Institute chose to address medical aid in dying in their latest episode
- The story of journalist Esmé Deprez and her father’s choice to use MAID
- Why medical aid in dying is not the same as su***de
- The difference between medically-assisted dying and euthanasia
- The protections built into MAID laws that can also become obstacles
- Ethical dilemma’s for healthcare providers
- Why improved access to MAID is needed in states where it is legal

Explore medical aid in dying with bioethicist Jeffrey Kahn, discussing myths, ethics, and personal stories in this enlightening podcast episode.