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SUMMARY:Sculpting evolution: engineering biology to address global disease
  chall - Dr Kevin Esvelt (MIT Media Lab) and Professor Luke Alphey (Pirbri
 ght Institute\, founder of Oxitec Ltd)
DTSTART:20161018T183000Z
DTEND:20161018T200000Z
UID:TALK68329@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Andrew Jonathan Balmer
DESCRIPTION:!https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/even
 t/1/5/5/f/600_454805471.jpeg!\n\nDr Kevin Esvelt (MIT Media Lab) and Profe
 ssor Luke Alphey (Pirbright Institute\, founder of Oxitec Ltd) examine the
  science\, ethics and regulation of genetic engineering to control mosquit
 o-borne disease. What promise does this emerging technology hold and how d
 o we ensure it is used responsibly?\n\n"FREE Registration >>":https://www.
 eventbrite.co.uk/e/sculpting-evolution-engineering-biology-to-address-glob
 al-disease-challenges-registration-28056108576?aff=erelpanelorg\n\nBiologi
 sts can now design genetic systems that engineer evolution in powerful way
 s with social\, legal\, ethical and environmental implications for our fut
 ure. Mosquito populations can already be engineered using cutting edge tec
 hniques to drastically reduce their numbers or make them resistant to tran
 smitting diseases like malaria\, dengue or the emerging Zika virus.\n\nSyn
 thetic biologist Dr Kevin Esvelt (MIT Media Lab) will introduce his work o
 n gene drive systems which rapidly spread malaria resistance within popula
 tions while Professor Luke Alphey (Pirbright Institute) will discuss his w
 ork founding Oxitec\, a UK company that was the first to release genetical
 ly modified male mosquitoes whose offspring fail to reproduce\, leading to
  dramatic reductions in numbers.\n\nWhat safeguards and regulations are re
 quired to ensure responsible use of such technologies? What does it mean f
 or humans to use nature's tools in this way? How do we balance the direct 
 benefits for global health with any risks to our shared environment?\n\nTa
 lks and dialogue on the idea of sculpting evolution will be followed by a 
 drinks reception.\n\nMore information about this event…
LOCATION:Howard Building Downing College\, Regent St\, CB2 1DQ\, Cambridge
  
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