Gregory Pence

Gregory Pence is a Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Early Medical School Acceptance Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He is affiliated with the School of Medicine and the College of Arts and Sciences. Pence holds a PhD from New York University, where he studied under Peter Singer, a pioneer in applied ethics. His research focuses on bioethics, particularly cloning, assisted reproduction, neuroethics, and public health challenges like Ebola and healthcare policy. He has authored influential textbooks such as Medical Ethics (8th ed.) and has testified before Congress on cloning legislation. His teaching career includes a 34-year tenure instructing UAB medical students.

Education: BA from the College of William and Mary; MA and PhD from New York University. Pence has chaired Birmingham AIDS Outreach and the UAB Speakers Committee. He coaches the UAB Ethics and Bioethics Bowl teams, which have won national championships. His awards include UAB’s Ingalls and President’s Teaching Awards. He has delivered endowed lectures globally and published op-eds in major outlets like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

Recent work includes What Went Wrong: America’s Covid Response (2025) and Pandemic Bioethics (2021). His articles address cloning ethics, aging, assisted dying, and medical professionalism. Pence’s public engagements include media appearances on cloning debates and policy discussions. His students have achieved notable accolades, including Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships.