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Open to Debate

#199 - Should We Use Gene Editing to Make Better Babies?

Open to Debate

Open to Debate

Education, News, Society & Culture

4.6 • 2.2K Ratings

🗓️ 18 February 2022

⏱️ 54 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

A genetic disease runs in your family. Your doctor tells you that, should you wish to have a child, that child is likely to also carry the disease. But a new gene-editing technology could change your fate. It could ensure that your baby is -- and remains -- healthy. What do you do? It’s is not without its perils. Critics say the technology will exacerbate inequality, pressure all parents (and nations) into editing their children to stay competitive, and meddle with the most basic aspect of our humanity. So, should we use gene editing to make better babies?   Arguing in favor of the motion is geneticist George Church and futurist Amy Webb. Arguing against the motion is policy advocate Marcy Darnovsky and philosopher Françoise Baylis. Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

I'm John Donovan and this is Intelligence Squared U.S.

0:03.8

And before we start this episode, I wanted to remind you that Intelligence Squared U.S.

0:07.6

is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.

0:10.4

We are looking forward to another year of high quality programming,

0:13.7

making it happen for you, and we would love your support to reach new audiences and develop new programs.

0:19.8

Please visit www.intelligencesquaredus.org

0:24.3

to learn more about how you can get involved and make a donation to restore balanced debate

0:29.5

and a return to civility in the public square.

0:39.4

Picture this.

0:40.4

A genetic disease runs in your family.

0:43.0

Your doctor warns you that if you try to have a child,

0:45.7

that child is likely to inherit the disease,

0:48.5

but new gene editing technology could change your child's fate.

0:52.8

Critics say this technology will exacerbate inequality,

0:56.6

pressure everyone into editing their children to stay competitive,

1:00.4

and will metal with the most basic aspect of our humanity, our DNA.

1:05.6

Others say with safeguards against abuse,

1:08.0

this technology could benefit us in a host of ways.

1:11.4

In that context, we debate this question,

1:14.3

should we use gene editing to make better babies?

1:19.5

Thanks everybody for joining us.

1:21.1

And today we are examining the science and the ethics of a new reality.

...

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