Should We Use Gene Editing to Make Better Babies?

About this episode

The episode debates the ethical implications of using gene editing technology to create healthier babies.

Your doctor tells you that, should you wish to have a child, that child is likely also to carry the disease. But a new gene-editing technology could ensure that your baby is -- and remains -- healthy. Should you do it? Critics say the technology will exacerbate inequality and meddle in the most basic aspect of our humanity. Now, we debate: Should We Use Gene Editing to Make Better Babies? This ethical conundrum is at the crux of this week's debate, originally broadcast in February 2022. Arguing Yes: Dr. George Church, Geneticist & Founder, Personal Genome Project; Professor, Genetics, Wyss Institute and Harvard Medical School Amy Webb, Chief Executive Officer, Future Today Strategy Group; Professor, NYU Stern School of Business Arguing No: Marcy Darnovsky, Executive Director, Emerita, Center for Genetics and Society Françoise Baylis, Distinguished Research Professor, Emerita, Dalhousie University; President, Royal Society of Canada Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates Join the conversation on Substack - share your perspective on this episode and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated insights from our debaters, moderators, and staff. Follow us on YouTube…

People in this episode

Host: John Donvan

Guests: Dr. George Church, Amy Webb, Marcy Darnovsky, Françoise Baylis

Topics covered

• gene editing
• ethics
• health
• inequality
• parenting
• technology

Keywords

• gene editing
• better babies
• health
• inequality
• ethics
• genetics
• debate

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Personal Genome Project, Future Today Strategy Group, Center for Genetics and Society, Dalhousie University, Royal Society of Canada, NYU Stern School of Business

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