September 26, 2012

Panel Discussion on Synthetic Biology

The DC Science Cafe will hold a discussion, "Synthetic Biology: Life As You Know and As You Don't," on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Busboys and Poets (5th and K Streets NW) in Washington, DC.

"Synthetic biology is, in a way, next-generation biotechnology in which mixing, matching and alteration of the genes, chromosomes, and genomes available in the living kingdom is opening avenues to dramatically modified forms of life and with them new biotechnologies . . . for better or for worse," the group says.

Speaking at the event will be geneticist and bioethicist Debra Mathews of Johns Hopkins University’s Berman Institute of Bioethics and senior research associate Todd Kuiken with the Synthetic Biology Project, part of the Science and Technology Innovation Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. DC Science Cafe says the speaker will discuss "the promise and perils that come with these new means of designing life and the ethical issues and implications they foist upon us."

The event will be the thirteenth of an ongoing series of DC Science Café events. It is produced with support from DC Science Writers Association and encouragement from Busboys and Poets. Donations are welcome. For more information, contact Ivan Amato at DCScienceCafe [at] dcswa [dot] org