Is Gene Editing The Next Great Health Revolution? Part I

Intelligence Squared

News, Society & Culture, Arts, News Commentary

4.2 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 29 March 2023

⏱️ 55 minutes

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Summary

Ever since the discovery of DNA scientists have been on a quest to understand the secrets of the human genome. This quest has not only involved analysing the role genes play in making us who we are – the history of genetics has also been shaped by a desire to explore how far our genes can be altered or enhanced. In 2012, the discovery that a tool known as CRISPR could be programmed to add and remove elements of DNA marked a huge leap forward, transforming research into treatments for diseases as varied as cancer, Alzheimer’s, sickle cell and HIV, as well as many rare genetic conditions. In this conversation, recorded at the Francis Crick Institute in London, our panel explores the urgent ethical questions that these advances have unleashed. Chaired by Dr Guddi Singh, the panel featured Tom Whipple, Science Editor at The Times, Shani Dhanda, an award-winning disability activist and inclusion specialist, Dr Güneş Taylor, postdoctoral research scientist at the Francis Crick Institute, and Jimi Olaghere, one of the first people in the world to take part in a life-changing clinical trial using gene therapy to treat sickle cell disease. In this episode (Part I) the panel explores questions such as: what diseases should we try to cure? How should these be prioritised? What assumptions shape perceptions of disability? Where does the line between editing and enhancing fall? And ultimately who gets to decide? The event was organised to coincide with a free exhibition at the Francis Crick Institute, London called ‘Cut + Paste,’ exploring the future and ethics of gene editing. The exhibition runs until December 2023. Visit www.crick.ac.uk/CutandPaste to find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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0:00.0	Hello, this is Jeremy Bowen, the International Editor of BBC News and I'm here because I want
0:05.1	to talk to you about an event I'm doing with Intelligent Squared on the 2nd of November in London
0:11.5	and I'm going to be talking about the more than 30 years that I've spent reporting on major
0:17.6	events in the Middle East with my great friend and colleague over many, many years just in web
0:25.6	and I'm sure we'll talk about a few other things as well, just in and I started at the BBC
0:31.5	on the same day in 1984. So if you'd like to join us either in person or online then visit
0:41.6	IntelligentSquared.com to find out more.
0:49.4	Hello, it's Kamala Ahmed here and I'm here to tell you about energised the brand new
0:54.4	podcast Intelligent Squared is launching in partnership with EBITRO.
0:59.5	The climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our time. Temperatures are set to rise more
1:05.2	than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in the next two decades and increase that
1:11.5	will cause irreversible damage to our planet. But is there still hope?
1:18.3	If humans are to blame for climate change then we must also provide the solutions
1:23.4	and that's where energised comes in. Join me as I bring together experts and policymakers
1:29.3	to delve deep into the key issues at the heart of the global drive towards net zero and the
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1:40.3	Just search energised wherever you get your podcasts.
1:44.1	Welcome to Intelligent Squared. I'm producer Catherine Hies. You're listening to part
1:54.2	one of our recent event hosted at the Francis Crick Institute in London.
1:58.8	In this conversation we hear about the latest advances in gene editing including the
2:02.9	experience of one of the first people in the world to receive a gene therapy clinical trial
2:07.6	for sickle cell anemia and will also explore the complex ethical questions raised by the power to
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