Here is a kind reminder on the upcoming meeting of The Economic Club of Hong Kong “Synthetic Biology: Risks and Rewards of Redesigning Life”, which will happen tomorrow, August 13th, Tuesday 19:15 at Salon Number 10 (10 Arbuthnot Road, Central).
Critics say we are on a road to lesser life, innately commercial and desacralized, ruled by efficiency goals. Proponents see synthetic biology and gene editing as a breakthrough to combat scourges of mankind like malaria, cancer or death by natural causes in general. We are at a fork in the road, one leading to a utopian future for humanity, the other to a dire dystopia. The question is, which one is which.
• Are we at the brink to become a society of super-humans and the useless class as historian Yuval Harari predicts in his book Homo Deus?
• Should we welcome new options like gene drives that may eradicate entire species (e.g. mosquitos, the carriers of malaria)?
• Are genetically altered crops our best chance to feed the expanding world population and make our food resources more resistant to climate change?
Please join us to discuss these and other related questions.
RSVP for joining the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/452759155503964/
Please read at least one of the following articles prior joining the event:
Suggested readings:
1. The Economist – Technology Quarterly: Synthetic Biology (https://www.economist.com/technology-quarterly/2019/04/04/the-engineering-of-living-organisms-could-soon-start-changing-everything)
2. Nature – International Journal of Science: Ban on ‘gene drives’ is back on the UN’s agenda — worrying scientists
(https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07436-4)
3. Time Magazine: How Humankind Could Become Totally Useless (http://time.com/4672373/yuval-noah-harari-homo-deus-interview/)
4. Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences – Blog: Feeding the World One Genetically Modified Tomato at a Time: A Scientific Perspective (http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/feeding-the-world/)
Fee: It’s free to attend, but we would buy a drink as a courtesy to the venue.
Meeting Format:
The host will welcome you at the venue and start with introduction about the community and the topic of choice. Depending on how many people will attend, we split into sub-groups of 4-5 people for more detailed discussions. Within subgroup we will introduce ourselves (name, profession, hobby and fun fact) and begin a free-flowing discussion on the theme. That’s why it is important to prepare and read suggested materials prior the meeting. Questions, new paths for discussion, personal experience, and opinions are highly encouraged. We conclude the event with everyone sharing their takeaways on the subject.
The Economic Club of Hong Kong is a community of intellectually curious people. Events are organized by a group of passionate volunteers.
Register via Facebook or Eventbrite | August 13th, Tue 19:15 | Salon No. 10, Central
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Best Regards,
The Economic Club of Hong Kong Team
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(Newsletter: Geoffrey Cheng / The Economic Club of Hong Kong.)
Geoffrey Cheng 