CRISPR Me This

CRISPR Me This

Author: Gwendolyn Dolske, PhD & Rudy Salo | Philosophy & Education Podcast January 14, 2020 Duration: 44:48

Can science edit what it means to be human — and should it?

CRISPR technology can now rewrite the genetic code of a living embryo. Scientists are already doing it. But who decides where the line is? And what do those decisions reveal about how we understand consciousness, identity, and what it means to be human at all?

In this episode of Good Is In The Details, host Gwendolyn Dolske and guest co-host Jacob Weber sit down with Professor Peter Ross — Professor of Philosophy at Cal Poly Pomona, specialist in Perception and Cognitive Science, and Director of the Science, Technology, and Society Program — to explore one of the most urgent intersections of science and philosophy today.

What we get into:

  • What CRISPR gene editing actually is, and how close we already are to designer babies
  • The bioethics of genetic engineering — who gets to decide what traits count as "enhancements"?
  • Whether editing human DNA violates human dignity, and what philosophers mean by that
  • The philosophy of mind dimension: if you alter the brain genetically, do you alter the self?
  • How the infamous "CRISPR babies" case in China forced the world to confront questions it wasn't ready for
  • What cognitive science tells us about how well we actually know our own minds — and why that matters for genetic ethics

This is an episode where science fiction has become science fact, and philosophy is the tool we need to navigate what comes next. Recorded at Cal Poly Pomona, one of the earliest episodes of Good Is In The Details, and still one of the most urgent.

Good Is In The Details is hosted by Gwendolyn Dolske, Ph.D. and Rudy Salo — a philosophy and books podcast exploring the questions at the edges of science, ethics, and the examined life, in the spirit of Socrates.

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Keywords: CRISPR ethics, gene editing philosophy, designer babies ethics, bioethics podcast, philosophy of mind, genetic engineering debate, human dignity, cognitive science, philosophy of science, Peter Ross Cal Poly Pomona, science and society, philosophy podcast, should we edit human DNA, CRISPR babies, what is a person, identity and genetics, Good Is In The Details

  


Hosted by Gwendolyn Dolske, Ph.D., and Rudy Salo, Good Is In The Details operates on the belief that the most profound insights are often hidden in plain sight, waiting to be unpacked. This philosophy and education podcast doesn't just skim the surface of big topics; it lingers there, examining the nuances of how we think, learn, and ultimately live our lives. You'll hear thoughtful, meandering conversations with scholars, authors, and practitioners from diverse fields, all centered on how ideas from ethics, culture, and critical thinking intersect with our daily realities. The hosts have a knack for breaking down complex academic concepts without losing their depth, making each episode feel like an engaging seminar you can enjoy on a walk or during your commute. Rather than offering easy answers, this podcast provides the tools and perspectives to ask better questions, finding the substance in the subtleties that we often overlook. It’s for anyone who believes that understanding the framework of an argument or the history of a thought is just as important as the conclusion. Tune in for a consistently thoughtful exploration of the books, theories, and cultural forces that quietly shape our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 190

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