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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Technical reconstruction of the surrounding nature is one of the hallmarks of human evolution. It is an old and unresolved controversy whether this reconstruction goes on under a fair contract between Man and Nature, or as a permanent act of subjugation of Nature. From most ancient times on, humans have likewise tried to re-construct their own physical constitution by repairing or mitigating natural defects and improving the body. However, this involved only the “surface” of the human constitution and its perceptible features.
During the last three decades mankind has obtained the tools to re-construct, by genetic and epigenetic manipulation, the very essence of the physical constitution and also the basics of the physical, emotional and cognitive properties of human beings. These tools are being adapted experimentally and tested on “model animals.”
Sketching the development that the future will bring us, the lecture will ponder what this development means for our conception of humanity as natural, as well as cultural kind.
Jens Reich studied medicine at the Humboldt University Berlin (1956-1962) and became an expert of molecular biology. He was professor of Bioinformatics at the Medical Faculty (Charité) of the Humboldt University in Berlin from 1998 to 2004. He also worked as a molecular geneticist at the Max-Delbrück-Centre in Berlin and held a teaching appointment at Harvard University. His academic career is paralleled by an equally active political one. Dr. Reich was one of the key figures in the civil rights movement of the GDR in the 80s. In 1990, he was elected to the People's Chamber of the GDR, and in 1994 he was a candidate in the election for President of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 2001-2012, he was a member of the German National Foundation, as well as the German Ethics Council.
Information on participating / attending:
Eine Anmeldung ist nicht erforderlich. Die Teilnahme ist kostenlos.
Date:
04/09/2014 19:30 - 04/09/2014 21:30
Event venue:
Bard College Berlin
Main Auditorium
Platanenstr. 98a
13156 Berlin
Berlin
Germany
Target group:
all interested persons
Email address:
Relevance:
transregional, national
Subject areas:
Biology, Medicine, Philosophy / ethics
Types of events:
Presentation / colloquium / lecture
Entry:
04/01/2014
Sender/author:
Irina Stelea
Department:
Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Event is free:
yes
Language of the text:
English
URL of this event: http://idw-online.de/en/event46849
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