"Harvest Time in the OR: The Ethics of Organ Donation" will be the topic of discussion at Coastal Carolina University's first 2009-2010 Tea and Ethics session, set for 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Recital Hall of the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts.

A repeat session will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22 in the Fellowship Hall of Myrtle Beach First Presbyterian Church, 3810 Grissom Parkway.

This discussion, led by Phil Schneider, professor emeritus of philosophy and religious studies at Coastal Carolina University, and Bowen Truluck, a local physician, will focus on the question: How does the change in the South Carolina organ donation law affect its citizens? The talk will cover issues such as family members' right to override a donor's living will, ownership of organs and financial rewards from organ harvesting. The session will also discuss rights to receive organs, spotlighting recipients such as convicts, the elderly and the uninsured.

Schneider earned bachelor's degrees in mathematics, engineered physics and philosophy from Cornell University, as well as doctorate degrees in philosophy and statistics from Duke University.

Truluck practices cardiology in Myrtle Beach with Cardiology Gastroenterology. He earned a medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston.

The discussion is sponsored by the University's Jackson Family Center for Ethics and Values. The purpose of the center is to cultivate and promote awareness in the community of the importance of personal and professional integrity. For more information, contact the director of the center, Claudia McCollough at 843-349-2440.