Gene Editing and the Future of the Human Race, with Walter Isaacson and Dr Guddi Singh

Intelligence Squared

News, Society & Culture, Arts, News Commentary

4.2 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 16 April 2021

⏱️ 50 minutes

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Summary

Walter Isaacson is the bestselling author of Leonardo da Vinci, Einstein and Steve Jobs. His new book is The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing and the Future of the Human Race, a gripping account of how Nobel Prize-winner Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues launched a scientific revolution that gives humanity the power to cure diseases, fend off viruses, and give birth to healthier babies. Doudna has invented a technology that has the potential to change human history: an easy-to-use tool that can edit DNA. Known as CRISPR, it has opened up a brave new world of medical miracles and moral questions. The past half-century has been a digital age, based on the microchip, the computer and the internet. Now we are entering a life-science revolution. Children who study digital coding will be joined by those who study genetic code. Doudna’s work raises huge questions: Should we use our new evolution-hacking powers to make us less susceptible to viruses? Should we allow parents, if they can afford it, to enhance the height or strength or IQ of their children? To answer these questions and more Walter spoke to presenter and paediatrician Dr Guddi Singh. To buy the book click here: https://bit.ly/3wXSsCF Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, I'm Rory Stewart, and I'd like to tell you about an intelligent squared event
0:04.8	I'm doing with the classicist author and broadcaster Mary Beard. Together we'll be discussing
0:10.1	politics and power from the Caesars to Sunack, who gets to Winpar, who is excluded,
0:16.0	does power always corrupt, or other examples of leaders who've maintained their integrity while
0:21.1	an authority. And how does the nature of power vary across different times and cultures?
0:26.0	These are just some of the questions that Mary and I will be trying to answer.
0:29.6	In person tickets are now sold out, but you can still watch online on the 13th of November
0:34.6	at 7pm BST. Put your questions first live as we discuss power and politics down the edges.
0:40.8	Hello podcast listeners, I'm Connor and welcome to this week's episode of Intelligence Squared.
0:45.6	Today's episode features Walter Isaacson, the best-selling author of books including
0:50.0	Leonardo da Vinci, Einstein, and Steve Jobs. Well, this time he came to Intelligence Squared to
0:55.6	discuss his new biography of Jennifer Daudner and in conversation with Dr. Goody Singh.
1:01.6	They discuss the current revolution in gene editing and the future of the human race.
1:06.7	It's a really fascinating conversation, and if you do enjoy it, you can find a link for Walter's
1:10.8	book in the podcast description. But before we go to this week's episode, I wanted to let you know
1:15.5	about a new podcast we think you'll really enjoy. It's called Climate Solutions from our partners
1:20.5	at the European Investment Bank. What would you give up to solve the climate crisis? Well,
1:25.4	the EIB surveyed 30,000 people in every EU country, China, the US, and the UK to find out what
1:32.8	they're ready to do to fight climate change. The team at climate solutions then spoke to experts
1:37.8	about what it all means for the future of our planet. To find out more and subscribe to this podcast,
1:42.8	visit eib.org slash podcasts, or subscribe in Apple podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts.
1:49.9	Now let's go to the episode. Well, hello and welcome to this intelligent
	...

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