The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, Calif., is dedicated to researching modern ethical issues and attempting to create solutions in diverse fields such as bioethics, the Internet, government and character ethics.

James Childress is the John Allen Hollingsworth Professor of Ethics in the department of religious studies at the University of Virginia. His research interests include religious ethics, social and political ethics, biomedical ethics and methods in ethics.

The Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is the public policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. Hannah Daniel is the commission’s director of public policy.

Concerned Women for America aims “to bring Biblical principles into all levels of public policy.” Issues dealing with sanctity of life are among its core concerns. Penny Young Nance is chief executive officer and president.

Americans United for Life describes itself as “the first national pro-life organization in America.” Charmaine Yoest is president of the Chicago-based group.

The American Life League promotes anti-abortion legislation. Judie Brown is president and co-founder of the organization, which is based in Virginia.

The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists and its 2,500 members and associates oppose abortion in general. Allan Sawyer serves as president.

A New York Times editorial on the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine study, which showed abstinence-only education can help discourage sexual activity.

The Islamic Medical Association of North America aims to provide a forum and resource for Muslim physicians and other health-care professionals, to promote a greater awareness of Islamic medical ethics and values among Muslims and the community at large, to provide humanitarian and medical relief and to be an advocate in health-care policy.