Gene Mutations and Bioethics

Auditoria Belgrade

GENE MUTATIONS AND BIOETHICS — WHAT WE, AS HUMANKIND, KNOW ABOUT GENETIC DISEASES AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THEM

On 27 July we invite you to the final lecture of the series «Genetics Without Myths» https://t.me/auditoria_belgrade/1425

“Isn't it funny: to know horticulture, poultry-keeping, fish-farming (we have exact data that they knew all that) and not be able to reach the last rung of this logical ladder: child-rearing” — Yevgeny Zamyatin, We.

Eugenics once emerged as an idea of "improving the human race" through science. But in the 20th century it led to mass crimes against people — the persecution and destruction of those whom society declared "unsuitable": on the grounds of origin, health status, disability, mental traits, or social position.

Today we are again talking about genetics, heredity, and the possibilities of intervening in human nature. But where is the line between helping and attempting to "create the right person"? Can science become an instrument of care — and where does the dangerous territory of control and discrimination begin?

The lecture will cover:

• 🤩 what genetic mutations are and why they do not always mean disease;
• 🤩 why the idea of "eliminating all carriers of undesirable genes" is not only ethically questionable but also scientifically untenable;
• 🤩 how population genetics explains human diversity;
• 🤩 what questions the development of genetic technologies poses to humanity.

We will go over the key concepts:

• 🧬 population genetics
• 🧬 eugenics
• 🧬 bioethics
• 🧬 gene carriers
• 🧬 extended phenotype of autism

We'll discuss what we can already do about genetic diseases, what opportunities modern science opens up, and why new technologies bring new moral questions.

Lecture by: biologist Simkha Borman.

• 🗓 27 July (Monday) 19:00
• 🎫 Price: 1500 RSD with mandatory advance registration
• 📍 Vojvode Dobrnjca 48, Belgrade