Team:Brown-Stanford/SynEthics/Videos/ChrisMcKay

From 2011.igem.org

(Difference between revisions)
 
Line 13: Line 13:
{{:Team:Brown-Stanford/Templates/EthicsInnerContent}}
{{:Team:Brown-Stanford/Templates/EthicsInnerContent}}
<!-- Enter caption here -->
<!-- Enter caption here -->
-
Raymond McCauley is Chair of the Biotechnology Track and faculty at Singularity University, Chief Science Officer at Genomera. His interests include genomic medicine, DIYbio, the citizen science movement, and the future of humanity.
 
-
(0:06) '''How should we address the human practices of synthetic biology?'''
+
Dr. Chris McKay is a renowned planetary scientist based at  NASA Ames Research Center. His research interests include planetary atmospheres, including Mars, and the origin and evolution of life. He has been featured in numerous science documentaries, and is a dedicated speaker and writer on issues of human space exploration.
-
Mr. McCauley states the importance of communicating biology with the public, the ethical imperative to continue developing synthetic biology, and the need to plan for the future.
+
(0:06) '''What are your thoughts on the proliferation of terrestrial organisms on Mars?''' <br>
 +
Dr. McKay outlines different scenarios regarding the presence of life on Mars, and emphasizes the importance of resolving the origin of possible Martian life before we proceed to permanently alter Mars.
-
(4:17) '''Humans, synthetic biology, and a changing Earth'''
+
(1:06) '''On the issue of contamination and reversibility''' <br>
 +
Dr. McKay explains why contamination is an exponential problem, and why our impact on Mars must be reversible for the time being.
-
On the relationship between humans and the environment, Mr. McCauley notes that we live in an ecosystem, and that there are adverse phenomena that we must take responsibility for. We cannot simply say that we will modify life to our changed environment; rather, we have a responsibility as conservators on this planet.
+
(2:57) '''What is the practical reason for protecting Martian life?''' <br>
 +
Dr. McKay outlines a utilitarian argument for preserving Martian life, based on the practical value of learning more about diverse lifeforms.
-
(5:50) '''What do you want to say to synthetic biologists about the future?'''
+
(7:13) '''What is an ethical reason for protecting Martian life?''' <br>
 +
Dr. McKay expresses his opinion that preserving the richness and diversity of life in the universe is ends an should value richness and diversity of life in the universe
 +
 
 +
(8:25) '''Should we respect the intrinsic value of alien life?''' <br>
 +
Dr. McKay describes how an intrinsic value for life can be interpreted as non-interference in the universe but disagrees. He emphasizes the importance of understanding context and consequences before intervening on other planets.
 +
 
 +
(10:44) '''How can we rule out the possibility of life on Mars?''' <br>
 +
Dr. McKay outlines a simple test that, in his opinion, would satisfactorily prove the absence of life.
 +
 
 +
(12:23) '''Can Mars serve as a "lifeboat" for humanity?''' <br>
 +
Dr. McKay finds the idea of extraterrestrial settlements as “lifeboats” to be ethically and practically problematic. He emphasizes that failure is not an option on Earth, and that synthetic biology should also be used as a means to protect our own planet.
-
Synthetic biology will change the world during this next century in a way never before seen. Mr. McCauley describes the impact of this rapid transformation in the whole timescale of life and urges us to do good.
 
<!-- End Caption -->
<!-- End Caption -->
{{:Team:Brown-Stanford/Templates/EthicsInnerContentEnd}}
{{:Team:Brown-Stanford/Templates/EthicsInnerContentEnd}}

Latest revision as of 05:37, 28 September 2011

The Ethics of Synthetic Biology and the Settlement of Space
Videos
Introduction

Summary

Dr. Chris McKay is a renowned planetary scientist based at NASA Ames Research Center. His research interests include planetary atmospheres, including Mars, and the origin and evolution of life. He has been featured in numerous science documentaries, and is a dedicated speaker and writer on issues of human space exploration.

(0:06) What are your thoughts on the proliferation of terrestrial organisms on Mars?
Dr. McKay outlines different scenarios regarding the presence of life on Mars, and emphasizes the importance of resolving the origin of possible Martian life before we proceed to permanently alter Mars.

(1:06) On the issue of contamination and reversibility
Dr. McKay explains why contamination is an exponential problem, and why our impact on Mars must be reversible for the time being.

(2:57) What is the practical reason for protecting Martian life?
Dr. McKay outlines a utilitarian argument for preserving Martian life, based on the practical value of learning more about diverse lifeforms.

(7:13) What is an ethical reason for protecting Martian life?
Dr. McKay expresses his opinion that preserving the richness and diversity of life in the universe is ends an should value richness and diversity of life in the universe

(8:25) Should we respect the intrinsic value of alien life?
Dr. McKay describes how an intrinsic value for life can be interpreted as non-interference in the universe but disagrees. He emphasizes the importance of understanding context and consequences before intervening on other planets.

(10:44) How can we rule out the possibility of life on Mars?
Dr. McKay outlines a simple test that, in his opinion, would satisfactorily prove the absence of life.

(12:23) Can Mars serve as a "lifeboat" for humanity?
Dr. McKay finds the idea of extraterrestrial settlements as “lifeboats” to be ethically and practically problematic. He emphasizes that failure is not an option on Earth, and that synthetic biology should also be used as a means to protect our own planet.

Retrieved from "http://2011.igem.org/Team:Brown-Stanford/SynEthics/Videos/ChrisMcKay"