Team:Brown-Stanford/SynEthics/Videos/WillMarshall

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The Ethics of Synthetic Biology and the Settlement of Space

Videos

Introduction

Summary

Dr. William Marshall is a research fellow in the Small Spacecraft Office at NASA Ames Research Center, and a Science and Security Fellow at the Space Policy Institute of George Washington University. In particular, his interests are in mission planning, spacecraft testing for a variety of microsatellite missions, and the global security implications of space strategy.

(0:05) Why should humanity expand into space?
Dr. Marshall states that the fundamental motive for space expansion is risk mitigation and survival. He outlines a difference between a threat to civilization and a threat to existence.

(1:23) How sound is the "survival" argument for space exploration?
Dr. Marshall believes that an argument based on species self-preservation is, in a sense, an extension of our tribal instincts. We urges us to explore the purely rational reasons for why humanity should survive and outlines two potential arguments: that life is rare, and that our existence is intrinsically valuable for our ability to grasp and understand the universe.

(3:15) Where in space do you think we should go?
Dr. Marshall argues that the Moon, not Mars, is the most logical destination for space expansion.

(4:44) What is an ethical argument against going to Mars?
Dr. Marshall outlines why the danger of contamination and disrupting a Martian ecosystem would be of cosmic significance.

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-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. William Marshall is a research fellow in the Small Spacecraft Office at NASA Ames Research Center, and a Science and Security Fellow at the Space Policy Institute of George Washington University. In particular, his interests are in mission planning, spacecraft testing for a variety of microsatellite missions, and the global security implications of space strategy.
-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.
+(0:05) '''Why should humanity expand into space? ''' <br>
+Dr. Marshall states that the fundamental motive for space expansion is risk mitigation and survival. He outlines a difference between a threat to civilization and a threat to existence.
-(4:17) '''Humans, synthetic biology, and a changing Earth'''
+(1:23) '''How sound is the "survival" argument for space exploration?'''<br>
+Dr. Marshall believes that an argument based on species self-preservation is, in a sense, an extension of our tribal instincts. We urges us to explore the purely rational reasons for why humanity should survive and outlines two potential arguments: that life is rare, and that our existence is intrinsically valuable for our ability to grasp and understand the universe.
-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.
+(3:15) '''Where in space do you think we should go?'''<br>
+Dr. Marshall argues that the Moon, not Mars, is the most logical destination for space expansion.
+(4:44) '''What is an ethical argument against going to Mars?'''<br>
+Dr. Marshall outlines why the danger of contamination and disrupting a Martian ecosystem would be of cosmic significance.
-(5:50) '''What do you want to say to synthetic biologists about the future?'''
-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.
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