Can Ethics Limit Science? Synthetic Life Pioneer Craig Venter on Pushing Boundaries

Are there enough mavericks in science today? Bioethicist Insoo Hyun and geneticist Craig Venter delve into this question, discussing the balance between ethics and innovation. Venter, renowned for his contributions to sequencing the human genome and creating synthetic life, engages in a comprehensive conversation about the purpose of science and the moral considerations it entails. This discussion offers an insightful examination of how ethical considerations impact scientific progress, shedding light on the intricacies of modern genetic research.
The conversation spans a range of topics, including Venter's approach to digitizing biology, his perspectives on CRISPR technology, the current state of scientific research in the U.S., and the necessity of a maverick approach in science that emphasizes pushing boundaries for breakthroughs. Venter concludes with an exploration of his ongoing research at the J. Craig Venter Institute, particularly focusing on human longevity and pre-symptomatic testing.
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:20 Biotechnology as Leveraging Nature's Processes for Commercial Purposes
01:49 What Drew Craig Venter to Microbes
03:39 Bioethics
05:03 The First Synthetic Cell
07:02 Prokaryotic Cell DNA Transplant
10:14 Digitized Biology
12:05 Minimal Cells
13:47 What is the Minimal Person
16:29 We Understand Less than 1% of the Human Genome
17:26 Humanized Pig Organs in Heart Transplant
18:27 Pushing the Boundaries in Biology
19:40 Charles Darwin and Exploratory Science
21:41 Jane Goodall
22:28 Controversial Mavericks
24:09 Can Ethics Get in the Way of Science
26:16 Collaboration Between Science and Bioethics
28:36 The White House Tie Announcement
29:56 What's Next for Craig Venter
31:30 Research on Longevity
33:20 Comparative Genomics
35:19 Presymptomatic Testing
36:50 Closing Statements
J. Craig Venter, PhD, is regarded as one of the leading scientists of the 21st century for his numerous invaluable contributions to genomic research. Dr. Venter is founder, chairman, and CEO of the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), a not-for-profit, research organization with approximately 120 scientists and staff dedicated to human, microbial, synthetic, and environmental genomic research, and the exploration of social and ethical issues in genomics.Insoo Hyun is Director of Research Ethics and a faculty member of the Center for Bioethics and senior lecturer on Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is also Director at the Center for Life Sciences and Public Learning at the Boston Museum of Science. As a Fulbright Scholar and Hastings Center Fellow, Dr. Hyun's interests include ethical and policy issues in stem cell research and new biotechnologies.
Among the world's largest science centers, the Museum of Science engages millions of people each year to the wonders of science and technology through interactive exhibitions, digital programs, giant screen productions, and preK - 12 EiE® STEM curricula through the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center. Established in 1830, the Museum is home to such iconic experiences as the Theater of Electricity, the Charles Hayden Planetarium, and the Mugar Omni Theater. Around the world, the Museum is known for digital experiences such as Mission: Mars on Roblox, and traveling exhibitions such as the Science Behind Pixar. Learn more at www.mos.org/
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Wonderful video

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Thank you!