Biology's 'moral mazes' explored at Southampton Science Cafe
As debate continues over the draft human tissue and embryology bill, the University of Southampton's next Science Café event explores the ethical and moral questions raised by the rapid advances in modern biology which are leading to significant increases in our power over human life in all its stages.
Professor John Bryant, of the University of Exeter's School of Biosciences, will be looking at the use of knowledge of human genes and embryonic stem cell research in a short talk 'Finding our way through some of Biology's moral mazes'. A question and answer session and an informal discussion about the issues will follow. The event takes place from 7pm to 8.45pm on Thursday 17 April at the Soul Cellar, 78 West Marlands Road, Southampton (http://www.soul-cellar.com).
Science Café Co-ordinator, Dr Christian Kaiser, says: 'People find the range of possible interventions in human life either exciting, disturbing or frightening. This timely event will look at whether we can decide what is right or wrong in relation to these scientific advances and whether traditional ethical thinking can help us to make a decision.'
The University's Science Café aims to show how science influences our modern world. The monthly events consist of short half-hour talks by world-leading scientists on their cutting-edge scientific research, followed by a question and answer session and a discussion of the science presented and its impact, in an informal and friendly atmosphere.
The Science Café is free and no booking is necessary. Contact Dr Christian Kaiser on 023 8059 2073, email crk@soton.ac.uk
Notes for editors
- The University of Southampton is a leading UK teaching and research institution with a global reputation for leading-edge research and scholarship.
- This is one of the country's top institutions for engineering, computer science and medicine, and home to a range of world-leading research centres, including the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, the Optoelectronics Research Centre, the Centre for the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, and the Mountbatten Centre for International Studies.
- We combine academic excellence with an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to research, supporting a culture that engages and challenges students and staff in their pursuit of learning.
- As one of the UK's top 10 research universities, we offer first-rate opportunities and facilities for study and research across a wide range of subjects in humanities, health, science and engineering.
- We have over 22,000 students, around 5000 staff, and an annual turnover in the region of £325 million.
- For further information contact:
Dr Christian Kaiser, School of Physics and Astronomy,
Tel. 023 8059 2073, email: crk@phys.soton.ac.uk
Sue Wilson, Communications, University of Southampton,
Tel. 023 8059 3212, email: sjew@soton.ac.uk