RSA Thursday: Enhancing Evolution the ethical case for making better people October 18, 2007

We are delighted to welcome leading bioethicist, John Harris, to talk about the issues raised by his new book “Enhancing Evolution”, in which he defends biotechnological interventions that could allow us to live longer, healthier, and even happier lives by, for example, providing us with immunity from cancer and HIV/AIDS.

In fact, Harris advocates far more than therapies designed to free us from sickness and disability. He raises the possibility of influencing the very course of evolution to give us increased mental and physical powers - from reasoning, concentration and memory to strength, stamina, and reaction speed. Harris’ contention is that it is not only morally defensible to enhance ourselves, in some cases, it's morally obligatory.

Chaired by Oliver Morton, Chief News and Features Editor at Nature

Official Website: http://www.rsa.org.uk/events/detail.asp?eventID=2422