John Niman, a third-year law student at Boyd, will present his paper, "Prosthetic Technology: From the Peg Leg to Human Enhancement." In his talk, Niman will survey past, present, and future prosthetic technology. While technology has advanced significantly from the peg leg of pirate lore, Niman will argue that we are now on the cusp of truly advanced prosthetics that will offer functionality superior to biological limbs.
Bryn Esplin, a second-year law student at Boyd, will present her paper entitled, "The Mind is the Final Frontier: Re-conceptualizing Mental Illness Through Science Fiction, Legislation and the Future of Neuroscience." During her talk, Esplin will explore conceptions of psychiatry and mental illness in the literary genre of Science Fiction from past to present, both antiquated and emergent legislation regarding health care and parity, and the promise of reconciling the persistent stigma of Cartesian Dualism through breakthroughs in neuroscience and technology.
Niman and Esplin will be accompanied to Charleston by Professor Stacey Tovino, who is also presenting at the conference. Tovino will present her paper entitled, "An American History of Health Privacy and Health Information Confidentiality Laws: 1880 to Present." During her talk, Tovino will explore the history of federal and state health information confidentiality laws from 1880 to the present. Although few pre-1880 laws identified a right of privacy distinct from the rights associated with private property, dozens of federal and state laws began identifying clear rights of health privacy and health information confidentiality in the medical and scientific contexts.
Congratulations, John and Bryn!
