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Background and contributions to the field

Dr Baylis' most recent peer-reviewed publications on human cloning, stem cell research and building human-to-animal chimaeras are among her most significant contributions to the field of bioethics. For example, Baylis F. "Human Cloning: Three Mistakes and an Alternative" Journal of Medicine and Philosophy (2002), is being used by colleagues throughout North America in both undergraduate and graduate ethics teaching. There have been numerous requests for reprints from around the world, and the article is included in bioethics anthologies. Another article, "Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines: The Ethics of Derivation" Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada (2002), has had a significant impact on public policy-making in Canada. It was cited repeatedly in 2002 in meetings of the Health Standing Committee and in 2003 in the House of Commons during debate on the Assisted Human Reproduction Act. A third article, Robert JS, Baylis F. "Crossing Species Boundaries" was the cover of the 2003 summer issue of American Journal of Bioethics. By way of introduction to this issue, the editor wrote: "Unless memory fails, never has a Target Article collection published in The American Journal of Bioethics occasioned as much interest as 'Crossing Species Boundaries.'" More recently, in February 2005 Baylis and Downie published an article on the "Embryonic Stem Cell Debate" in the Literary Review of Canada.

In 2001, Baylis created the Novel Genetic Technologies (NGT) Research Team - an interdisciplinary group of scholars collaborating on research in ethics, health policy and law, and genetics. The Team is based at Dalhousie University but has members and alumni in the broader national and U.S. communities. It is committed to expanding the gaze of bioethics by considering the political, cultural, legal and economic contexts in which novel genetic technologies are produced, applied, and understood.

In October 2004 Dr. Baylis was awarded a Canada Research Chair in Bioethics and Philosophy to continue her research on novel genetic technologies and intergenerational justice. The nomination for this most prestigious award was based on her academic work as well as her many other contributions to the field of bioethics. For example, Dr. Baylis has been active in policy-making regarding stem cell research in Canada since 2000 when she was named to the CIHR Ad Hoc Working Group on Stem Cell Research. She co-authored the current stem cell research guidelines published in 2002. During 2002 and 2003 she testified before the Health Standing Committee regarding Bill C-6, an Act respecting assisted human reproduction and related research . She consulted with Health Canada on various aspects of this bill, most particularly the provisions to do with embryo research and the creation of hybrids and chimeras.

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