Search Results for: pinker

Why interview Steven Pinker on my blog if I strongly disagree with him?

blog-ethos

Earlier this week I posted an interview with Steven Pinker on CRISPR, human germline modification, and bioethics. With only a few exceptions, I strongly disagree with Pinker’s philosophy in these areas and I knew going into the interview that his answers would likely go against my own views. I also expected the interview would anger

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Bioethicist Arthur Caplan comments on Pinker piece claims

capl1282

In the Steve Pinker interview that I posted this morning he was highly critical of noted bioethicist Dr. Arthur Caplan. I contacted Dr. Caplan out of fairness and balance to invite him to do a post/ask for any comment, etc. for this blog. Here is what he wrote: “Steven Pinker says; “But Arthur Caplan, the country’s

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Steven Pinker interview: case against bioethocrats & CRISPR germline ban

Steven-Pinker

CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology is red-hot right now and I’ve been doing interviews with various thought leaders on it, which today includes Steven Pinker. This technology has great power for research in the lab and there are hypothetical transformative clinical applications of CRISPR too. The latter efforts could include experimental attempts at reversal of disease-causing

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Countering that Pro-Heritable Human CRISPR WSJ Piece

human-embryo-modification

It’s germline, heritable human CRISPR time, right? Wrong. But the particularly enthusiastic supporters of heritable human CRISPR often cite hypothetical benefits in glowing terms, but either don’t mention risks or strongly downplay them. These fans also tend to leave alternative, proven and safe technologies such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) out of the discussion or

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Recap of BEINGS 2015 Meeting by Aaron Levine: Shaping Future of Cellular Biotech

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Last week I attended Biotech & the Ethical Imagination (BEINGS 2015), the summit I previewed on this blog back in early May. It many ways the summit lived up to its lofty ambitions. Steven Pinker kicked off the event by emphasizing the power and importance of biomedical research, noting that almost everyone is affected by

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Biotechnology & the Ethical Imagination – A Preview of BEINGS summit

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Later this May, I will attend and participate in Biotechnology and the Ethical Imagination (BEINGS 2015). This is an exciting and experimental summit that will focus on advances in cellular biotechnology – including both stem cell science and synthetic biology. The meeting is premised on the idea that the implications of increasing biotechnology power are

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