About

Privacy Policy

The American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (“ASBH,” “we,” or “us”) has created and posted this privacy policy in an effort to maintain efficient service while respecting your privacy and protecting your personal information. This privacy policy is incorporated into, and is a part of, the Terms and Conditions of Use Agreement of our website. Specifically, this privacy policy covers the following topics:

Information Collection

Children’s Information

Information Use

Information Sharing

Access to and Control of Information

Data Security

Data Retention

Data Transfer

External Links

Privacy Policy Updates

Acceptance of Privacy Policy Terms

ASBH Contact Information

 

Information Collection 

This privacy policy applies to information that ASBH collects (i) on any ASBH Websites (“Site”); (ii) through other platforms used in connection with the services and products that we provide; and (iii) by telephone, email, text message, letter, or other methods of communication. When you use our services or products, we collect information provided voluntarily as well as information collected automatically, as described in detail below.

Information Provided Voluntarily

  • Member and Site Visitor Information: We will collect personal information that you provide to us, including, but not limited to, your name; employer’s name; job title; mailing addresses; e-mail addresses; telephone numbers; fax numbers; date of birth; and personal and professional demographics. Such information is necessary to facilitate your access to, use of, purchase of, or participation in our service and product offerings, including, but not limited to, membership; events, meetings, or conferences; educational programs; and online forums. Please note that you may decline to share your personal information with us, in which case we may not be able to provide you with certain aspects of our services or products.
  • Member Demographic Information. We will collect demographic information that you provide to us, including both personal and professional demographics. You will be asked to consent to the collection of such information in accordance with this privacy policy at the time of collection, and you may withdraw that consent at any time. Such information is collected to analyze member demographics.
  • Payment Information: If you choose to purchase a product or service, we and/or our third-party payment processors will collect your payment information, including, but not limited to, your credit or debit card number, card verification value (CVV) number, and expiration date.
  • Enrollment, Registration, and Order Form Information: In order to enroll in or register for an ASBH program, attend ASBH events, meetings, or conferences, or request ASBH products or services, you will be required to fill out a registration or order form and provide personal information, which we will use to process your registration or order. In certain circumstances, a program, event, meeting, or conference accessed through the Site may be jointly sponsored or co-sponsored with another organization. If the enrollment or registration is handled by such other organization, that organization’s (not ASBH’s) privacy policy will apply and be controlling. Please note that ASBH is not responsible for the privacy policies of such other organizations or their collection, use, sharing, or other processing of your personal or other information, and ASBH hereby disclaims any liability or responsibility in connection therewith.

Information Collected Automatically

  • Automated Information: Your web browser or mobile device automatically provides information when you visit the Site, including, but not limited to, your Internet Protocol (IP) address or unique device identifier.
  • Cookies: Cookies are pieces of stored information on a user’s computer or device that are tied to information about the user and used to provide smoother navigation throughout the Site, such as to store a saved password; to identify user trends, such as page views; and for other internal purposes, such as to assess the effectiveness of the Site. The Site uses session ID cookies, which terminate when a user closes the browser. You will be asked to consent to the use of cookies in accordance with this privacy policy when you visit the Site. You have the option of setting your computer to disable cookies or to alert you when cookies are being used. If you choose to disable cookies, please be aware that portions of the Site may not function properly.
  • Log Files: Log files store information such as a user’s IP address, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks. Like most Websites, the Site uses log files to analyze trends, administer the Site, and track users’ movement on the Site.
  • Google AdWords: This Site uses the Google AdWords remarketing service to advertise on third-party Websites (including Google) to previous visitors to the Site. We may advertise to previous visitors who have not completed a task on the Site, for example, using the contact form to make an inquiry. The task may appear in the form of an advertisement on the Google search results page or a site in the Google Display Network. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on users’ past visits to the Site. Any data collected will be used in accordance with this privacy policy and Google’s privacy policy. Users may opt out of this service through the Google Ads Settings or Google Ad Settings mobile resource.

Children’s Information

The Site and our services and products are not directed toward children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with information without parental consent, that information will be deleted from our records.

Information Use

ASBH uses the information that we collect to provide our services and products and to operate our business. We may use and store such information for legitimate and lawful business purposes, for example, in order to:

  • provide a service or product you requested;
  • secure your membership status;
  • fulfill your membership benefits;
  • analyze and evaluate member and prospective member needs and interests, and improve the member and prospective member experience;
  • notify you of ASBH official business, news, activities, programs, events, meetings, conferences, services, products, and benefits;
  • send occasional email communications on behalf of vendors;
  • track event, meeting, and conference attendance;
  • track education related activities;
  • prepare invoices and process payments;
  • respond to communications and inquiries that you send to us;
  • promote the function, safety, and security of our services; and
  • for other legitimate and lawful business purposes.

For individuals located in the European Economic Area (“EEA”) or the United Kingdom (“UK”), we rely on multiple legal bases to collect, use, share, or otherwise process your personal data, including that:

  • you have given consent, which you may withdraw at any time;
  • it is necessary for us to perform a contract with you;
  • it is necessary for us to comply with legal obligations;
  • it is necessary for our or a third party’s legitimate interests;
  • it is necessary for us to perform a task in the public interest or for our official functions; and/or
  • it is necessary to protect someone’s life.

To the extent we rely on our legitimate interests as a legal basis to collect, use, share, or otherwise process your personal data, those interests include, for example: providing a product or service you requested; securing your membership status; fulfilling your membership benefits; analyzing and evaluating member and prospective member needs and interests, and improving the member and prospective member experience; notifying you of ASBH official business, news, activities, programs, events, meetings, conferences, services, products, and benefits; sending occasional email communications on behalf of vendors; tracking event, meeting, and conference attendance; tracking education related activities; preparing invoices and processing payments; responding to communications and inquiries that you send to us; and promoting the function, safety, and security of our services.

Information Sharing

Personal information may be given to a third party in order to complete a specific business transaction on behalf of ASBH. Such transactions may include the following:

  • Your name and contact information, as provided to ASBH, may be shared with ASBH members to provide a service, satisfy a question, or develop a prospective business relationship. We are not responsible for members’ use or misuse of your personal information.
  • Your name and contact information, as provided to ASBH, may appear on registration or attendee lists distributed at ASBH programs, events, meetings, and conferences to other attendees, including members, and third parties, including, but not limited to, exhibitors or sponsors. We are not responsible for use or misuse of your personal information by attendees, members, exhibitors, sponsors, or the like.
  • We may share your personal information with third parties that provide services to ASBH including, but not limited to, administration/operation support; marketing, promotions, and communications; program, event, meeting, or conference enrollment, registration, planning, hosting, or management; Website hosting; database management; payment card processing; or other data processing.
  • We also may disclose personal information if we become subject to a subpoena, court order, or law enforcement or other government agency inquiry or investigation or if we are otherwise legally required to disclose such information. We also may use and disclose information about you to establish or exercise our legal rights, to enforce the Terms and Conditions of Use Agreement, to assert and defend against legal claims, or if we believe such disclosure is necessary or prudent to investigate, prevent, or take other action regarding actual or suspected illegal or fraudulent activities or potential threats to the physical safety or well-being of any person.
  • If all or part of ASBH is merged into or otherwise transferred to another entity, we may transfer the personal information you provided to us to such entity as part of that transaction.

Access to and Control of Information

ASBH takes your privacy and the protection of your personal information seriously, and we will provide you with reasonable access to and control of the personal information that you have provided to us. You may request to update your personal information or to opt in to or opt out of any service offerings at any time. Please note that limitations on our ability to collect and maintain your personal data as a result of opting out of collection may result in us not being able to provide you with certain aspects of our services or products.

For individuals located in the EEA or the UK, you may have additional rights concerning your personal data, such as to access, obtain a copy of, correct, restrict, transfer, or delete that information or to withdraw your consent to the collection, use, sharing, or other processing of that information. Such individuals also have the right to object to the processing of their personal information. To make any request with respect to your personal information, please contact ASBH as set forth below in the “ASBH Contact Information” section. 

Data Security

We employ reasonable physical, electronic, and procedural security measures to safeguard your personal information and to help protect against unauthorized access and disclosure. Online registration information, such as payment card information, will be secured using a commercially accepted method of encryption. However, please be aware that no method of electronic transmission is completely infallible, and we cannot guarantee its absolute safety. We encourage you to use reasonable care in how you handle and disclose your personal information, username(s), and password(s). If you become aware of any breach of Site security, please contact us immediately.

Data Retention

ASBH retains your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected as set forth in this privacy policy, after which we will securely destroy or delete such personal information from our records unless otherwise required by law. We will retain and use information as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and as otherwise set forth in this privacy policy.

Data Transfer

If you are visiting the Site from outside the United States, please be aware that you are sending information, including personal data, to the United States where our servers are located. That information may then be transferred within the United States or to other countries outside the United States other than your country of residence. Countries other than your country of residence, including the United States, may have data privacy and protection laws that differ from, and potentially provide less protection than, the applicable laws in your country of residence.

To the extent that ASBH may be deemed to have transferred personal data outside of the EEA or UK, we rely on multiple legal bases for doing so. For individuals located in the EEA or UK: (i) you consent to our use of your personal information in accordance with this privacy policy, including the transfer of your information across international boundaries to jurisdictions anywhere in the world as permitted by applicable law, when you provide your personal information; (ii) we will use the standard contractual data protection clauses adopted by the European Commission, which provide safeguards for the transfer of such data, in connection with the provision of certain services that involve such transfers; and (iii) we may obtain separate consent in connection with the provision of certain services that involve the transfer of personal data.

Our collection, use, sharing, and other processing of your personal information will at all times be governed by this privacy policy.

External Links

There are external links to other websites throughout the Site, which are provided solely for your convenience. Please note that ASBH is not responsible for the privacy policies of those other websites and hereby disclaims any liability or responsibility in connection with such linked websites.

Privacy Policy Updates

Should any changes be made to this privacy policy, we will post them on this page with an appropriate explanation.  This version is effective as of May 9, 2023.

Acceptance of Privacy Policy Terms

Using the ASBH Site indicates your acceptance of our privacy policy. Your continued visits to the ASBH Site after changes are posted to this policy will signify your acceptance of those changes.

ASBH Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns about this privacy policy or how we process personal information, or if you would like to exercise any of the legal rights set forth in this policy, please contact us at:

American Society for Bioethics and Humanities
O’Hare Plaza Office Complex
8735 W. Higgins Road, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60631
Telephone: 847.375.4745
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In response to a request, we might ask you to verify your identity and provide information that helps us to understand your request better. If you disagree with our data privacy practices, you also may contact your national Data Protection Authority.

Effective: May 9, 2023

Terms and Conditions of Use

Welcome to the Websites of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH).  These sites are provided as a service of ASBH.

  1. Agreement.  By using ASBH Websites (Site), you agree to these Terms and Conditions of Use (Terms of Use).  ASBH reserves the right to change these Terms of Use from time to time. The current “Terms and Conditions of Use Agreement” will always be posted on the Site, and you may view it at any time through the link at the bottom of any public page of the Site.
  1. Description of Service.  ASBH.org consists of several sections, some of which may have restricted access.
  1. Intellectual Property.  The entire contents and design of the Site, including all trademarks, logos, trade names, documents, databases, graphic representations, and other information, are the property of ASBH, or used by ASBH with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws, whether or not a notice of copyright, trademark, or other proprietary rights appears on the screen displaying the information. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of the Site may save and use information contained on the Site only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of Site information may be made without the prior written permission of ASBH, which may be requested by contacting ASBH at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
  1. Limitation of Liability. In no event shall ASBH or its officers, directors, members, staff, or agents, be liable for any damages of any kind, including, without limitation, any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages, whether or not advised of the possibility of such damages, and on any theory of liability whatsoever, arising out of, or in connection with, the use or performance of the Site or any content appearing on the Site.
  1. Disclaimer.  ASBH makes no warranty, guaranty, or representation regarding the accuracy, content, completeness, reliability, operability, or legality of information contained within the Site, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular use, and non-infringement of propriety rights. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented within the site are for general information only. Such information should not be considered medical advice and is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified physician. Unless specifically stated otherwise, ASBH does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned on the Site, and information from the Site should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, ASBH makes no warranty that the Site, or the server that makes it available, is free from viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. ASBH expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, reliance on, or inability to use, the Site or the information presented on the Site.  In any jurisdiction that does not permit such a disclaimer of liability, ASBH’s liability shall be limited to the greatest extent allowed by applicable law.
  1. Links.  Links or pointers connecting the Site with other Internet sites are provided as a courtesy only and do not imply, directly or indirectly, the endorsement, sponsorship, or approval by ASBH of the linked site, the organization or individual operating the site, or any product, service, individual, or organization referenced in the site.  In general, any Website that has an address (or URL) that does not contain “asbh.org” is a linked Website. The content of any linked site does not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of ASBH. Linked sites are not under the control of ASBH, and ASBH is not responsible for the content of any linked site, any links contained within a linked site, any changes or updates to such sites, or the compliance with applicable laws of such linked sites.
  1. DMCA Notice and Takedown Procedures.  ASBH abides by the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) by responding to notices of alleged infringement that comply with the DMCA and other applicable laws. As part of its response, ASBH may remove or disable access to material on the Site that is claimed to be infringing, in which case, ASBH will make a good-faith attempt to contact the person who submitted the affected material so that person may make a counter notification, also in accordance with the DMCA. By posting material to the Site, the posting party represents and warrants that he or she owns the copyright with respect to such material or has received permission from the copyright owner. In addition, the posting party grants ASBH and users of the Site the nonexclusive, unrestricted, royalty-free right and license to display, copy, publish, distribute, transmit, print, and use such information or other material. Anyone who believes that material posted on the Site infringes on his or her copyrighted work should refer to the Procedures for Requesting Removal of Infringing Material.
  1. Choice of Law and Forum.  This Agreement is entered into and performed in the State of Illinois, United States of America, and is governed by the laws of Illinois, exclusive of its choice of law or conflict of laws provisions. In any claim or action directly or indirectly arising under this Agreement or related to asbh.org, each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the state courts located in Cook County, Illinois, or the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, whichever has jurisdiction, and each party waives any jurisdictional venue or inconvenient forum objections to such court.
  1. Complete Agreement.  If any provision or provisions of this Agreement are held by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction not to be enforceable, then such provisions shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that this Agreement shall otherwise remain in full force and effect. These Terms of Use supersede any other statements included elsewhere on the Site, which are inconsistent or conflicting with these Terms of Use. 
  1. Amendments. ASBH reserves the right to modify or change the terms and rules for use of the Site as it determines from time-to-time in the best interests of ASBH. Use of the Site constitutes the user’s continuing agreement to be bound by these Terms of Use as they are amended from time to time.