Medical and other scientific advances have improved the lives of people with disabilities in many ways. Rapid advances in genetic and other research mean that we now know more about what causes many disabilities than ever before.

However, progress has a more difficult side. Science can now detect genetic anomalies in the womb, and culturally there is greater acceptance than ever before for abortion or euthanasia for those who, in others’ judgment, will not, or cannot live a high-quality life.

In an effort to address these issues, Regent University’s School of Education will launch the Institute for the Study of Disability and Bioethics www.regent.edu/isdb  on Wednesday, October 3 at 3 p.m. at The Founder’s Inn, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Institute for the Study of Disability & Bioethics upholds the valuable lives of people of all abilities and provides a scholarly and cultural response to bioethical trends impacting people with disabilities.

It is necessary to uphold and affirm the value of people of all abilities, because:

**All human beings have an inherent right to exist

**Intervention options for people with disabilities are often unnecessarily restricted

**There are more viable interventions and treatments than ever before that can improve the lives of people with disabilities

**Issues around people living with disabilities require more extensive scholarly research

**People with disabilities and their loved ones need support in choosing life options

**The public and involved professionals must be educated about the myriad options facilitating the participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of society.

Guests invited to attend the launch include former US Attorney General John Ashcroft, Regent University President and Chancellor Dr. M. G. Robertson, Chief Counsel for the ACLJ Jay Sekulow, VA Attorney General Bob McDonnell, Bobby Schindler from the Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation and Jerri Lynn Ward, J.D., co-founder of Garlo Ward, P.C.

The Institute is led Dr. Mark P. Mostert and Dr. Kelly Hollowell. Dr. Mostert is an expert in the field of special education. Dr. Hollowell, J.D., Ph.D., a scientist and attorney with extensive experience in medical science, ethics and public policy, specializes in biomedical technology.

According to Dr. Mostert, the Institute will work to increase national and international awareness of the rising trend among healthcare providers to offer euthanasia as an acceptable social and medical alternative to people with disabilities. Dr. Hollowell explains that the Institute will partner with state and national leaders to launch a multi-faceted effort aimed at education, legislation and public policy reform.

Founded in 1978, Regent University has more than 4,000 students studying on its campus in Virginia Beach, Va., and online around the world. Regent offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from a Christian perspective in fields including business, communication and the arts, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, and psychology and counseling.

Seating at the launch event is limited. Reservations may be made by emailing isdb@regent.edu.  

Representatives of the media must register in advance no later than Tuesday, October 2 at 5:00 p.m. To register, please e/mail judibak@regent.edu  

On the day of the event, media may begin setting up at 2 p.m. No media will be admitted inside after 3 p.m. and only those pre-registered, wearing their media credentials will be allowed inside.

Please direct all media inquiries to:
Judy Baker
judibak@regent.edu  
757.226.4307 or 757.509.2692

** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Lake Forest, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. His weblog appears at: Michael's Wor(l)d BLOG