Quantitative futurist Amy Webb and research scientist Andrew Hessel explore the science, ethical, moral, and religious issues surrounding synthetic biology in their new book The Genesis Machine. 

Synthetic biology is the promising and controversial technology platform that combines biology and artificial intelligence, that is currently being applied to solve some of life’s most existential problems including climate change and world hunger. Now we are applying this technology to program the most complex computer system on earth, the human body. In The Genesis Machine, Webb and Hessel look at both the potential promise and peril posed by this technology and how we might ensure political and societal policy make wise decisions in the application of this new technology on our everyday lives.

Amy Webb and Andrew Hessel share insight from The Genesis Machine  with host Vass Bednar and discuss a possible future where we can build a veritable genetic app store for downloading and adding new capabilities into any cell, microbe, plant, or animal.

About this event's guests:
Amy Webb
Andrew Hessel
Vass Bednar

This event is part of our On Civil Society series.

Generously supported in part by Chris M. Reid

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Amy Webb & Andrew Hessel: The Genesis Machine