Hastings Center for Bioethics’ President and CEO Vardit Ravitsky will be participating in two panel discussions at Aspen Ideas Health.

Date: 6/23/2026
Time: 11:40 AM – 12:30 PM
Venue: Koch Building, Lauder Room
Session Info: Navigating Embryo Screening
Embryos created through IVF can now be screened for numerous genetic characteristics and are likely to be discarded if abnormalities are detected. Screening tests can detect certain birth defects and increasingly identify elevated risks for cancer, heart disease, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. But genetic predisposition is not destiny and some seemingly anomalous embryos might have developed into healthy children. With more than 100,000 babies born annually through IVF, embryo screening is reaching a clinical and cultural crossroads but we still lack the ethical and regulatory structures to guide action.
Participants: Moderator, Alice Park; Speaker, Laura Hercher; Speaker, Noor Siddiqui; Speaker, Vardit Ravitsky

Date: 6/23/2026
Time: 1:40 PM – 2:30 PM
Venue: Madeleine K. Albright Pavilion
Session Info: Making Medical Decisions with Uncertain Science
Protecting the public interest sometimes means making policy decisions without complete information. Should patients have access to experimental treatments, which could jeopardize clinical trials, when the alternative is certain death? At what age should gender-affirming care be permitted? Should dietary supplements be sold without clear evidence of their value? Who should have access to scarce vaccines during an infectious disease outbreak? Optimal decision-making balances potential risks and harms, prioritizes equity and transparency, and remains adaptable as evidence builds.
Participants: Moderator, Dan Gorenstein; Speaker, Ishani Ganguli; Speaker, Jack Turban; Speaker, Vardit Ravitsky