Seattle, Wash. — Nov 22, 2004 - The newly formed Women's Bioethics Project (WBP), an independent, non-partisan, public-policy think tank based in Seattle, has named its inaugural advisory board. Prominent scientists, scholars, and attorneys, as well as business leaders—all drawn from the Northwest—comprise the founding board.
WBP Founder Kathryn Hinsch notes, "The Pacific Northwest has a long history of hosting cutting-edge enterprises and innovative thought leadership in both private industry and academic centers. Having these riches in our own backyard allowed us to recruit such an impressive roster of advisors."
Bioethicist Michael Yesley, former staff director of a national bioethics commission, added, "The Women's Bioethics Project, as a non-university-affiliated think tank, has built an all-star advisory board that truly stretches across disciplines. It brings together people who know how to make action-oriented policy recommendations on politically charged issues. Too often, issues are researched to death and the results languish in the ivory tower."
Moya Vazquez, former Immunex executive, commented, "One of the really smart moves the WBP has made with the advisory board is to bring in the biotech as well as the venture capital and business communities from the onset. Often bioethics groups are set up in opposition to these key stakeholders. But the goal of the Women's Bioethics Project is to build coalitions from the beginning."
The board, which will hold its first planning session in early December, will determine the organization's goals for the coming year as well as provide strategic direction on bioethical issues and trends. The WBP plans to name national and international advisory boards as well as a board of directors in 2005.
Members include:
Board member biographies are available on the website at www.womensbioethics.org.