#105 Françoise Baylis: The Ethics of CRISPR-cas9 Gene Editing Technology

The Dissenter - A podcast by Ricardo Lopes

------------------Support the channel------------ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenter PayPal: paypal.me/thedissenter ------------------Follow me on--------------------- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedissenteryt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheDissenterYT Dr. Françoise Baylis is University Research Professor at Dalhousie University, Canada. She is a frequent guest on CBC and Radio Canada. The focus of her research is on issues of women's health and assisted reproductive technologies, but her research and publication record also extend to such topics as research involving humans (including human embryo research), gene editing, novel genetic technologies, public health, the role of bioethics consultants, and neuroethics. She has a forthcoming book on ethics and heritable genome editing with Harvard University Press. In this episode, we talk about the ethics behind CRISPR-cas9 genome editing technology. The difference between using it in somatic cells versus germline cells; he fuzzy line that separates enhancement from therapy; the example of improving IQ; how this technology can increase the gap between rich and poor, taking it to the whole new level of biological differences; individual and social considerations; and animal ethics. We finish off by talking a little bit about Dr. Baylis’ upcoming book. Time Links: 01:02 What is CRISPR-cas9? 03:22 It can be used in any type of living cell           04:25 Applying it in somatic vs germline cells      06:24 Its possible applications in humans     08:57 Is CRISPR evolving quickly?       13:07 Enhancement and therapy  16:43 The complicated example of improving IQ 22:52 Can we cause problems by reducing genetic diversity? 26:07 Eugenics 29:51 Looking at genetic engineering from a societal perspective 33:09 The many ethical aspects to be evaluated 37:28 Animal ethics 40:25 Dr. Baylis’ forthcoming book  44:14 Follow her work online -- Follow Dr. Baylis’ work: Faculty page: https://tinyurl.com/ya7oxlgd Books: https://tinyurl.com/y8x39y24 Twitter handle: @FrancoiseBaylis -- A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS: KARIN LIETZCKE, ANN BLANCHETTE, JUNOS, SCIMED, PER HELGE HAAKSTD LARSEN, LAU GUERREIRO, RUI BELEZA, MIGUEL ESTRADA, ANTÓNIO CUNHA, CHANTEL GELINAS, JIM FRANK, JERRY MULLER, FRANCIS FORD, AND HANS FREDRIK SUNDE! I also leave you with the link to a recent montage video I did with the interviews I have released until the end of June 2018: https://youtu.be/efdb18WdZUo And check out my playlists on: PSYCHOLOGY: https://tinyurl.com/ybalf8km PHILOSOPHY: https://tinyurl.com/yb6a7d3p ANTHROPOLOGY: https://tinyurl.com/y8b42r7g