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SUMMARY:Sculpting evolution: engineering biology to address global disease
  challenges - Dr Kevin Esvelt (MIT Media Lab) and Professor Luke Alphey (P
 irbright Institute) 
DTSTART:20161018T183000Z
DTEND:20161018T200000Z
UID:TALK68287@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Yang Liu
DESCRIPTION:Biologists can now design genetic systems that engineer evolut
 ion in powerful ways with social\, legal\, ethical and environmental impli
 cations for our future. Mosquito populations can already be engineered usi
 ng cutting edge techniques to drastically reduce their numbers or make the
 m resistant to transmitting diseases like malaria\, dengue or the emerging
  zika virus. \n\nSynthetic biologist Dr Kevin Esvelt (MIT Media Lab) will 
 introduce his work on gene drive systems which rapidly spread malaria resi
 stance within populations while Professor Luke Alphey (Pirbright Institute
 ) will discuss his work founding Oxitec\, a UK company that was the first 
 to release genetically modified male mosquitoes whose offspring fail to re
 produce\, leading to dramatic reductions in numbers. \n\nWhat safeguards a
 nd regulations are required to ensure responsible use of such technologies
 ? What does it mean for humans to use nature's tools in this way? How do w
 e balance the direct benefits for global health with any risks to our shar
 ed environment? \n\nTalks and dialogue on the idea of sculpting evolution 
 will be followed by a drinks reception.
LOCATION:Howard Building\, Downing College\, Cambridge
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