Adam Rutherford and Matthew Cobb Chaired by Stephen Law

Science writer, broadcaster and geneticist Dr Adam Rutherford and zoologist Professor Matthew Cobb discuss the issues and threats posed by genetic manipulation outlined in their latest books on the subject.

Rutherford was part of a team that identified the genetic cause of a form of childhood blindness. In his latest book, Control: The Dark History and Troubling Present of Eugenics, he tells the story of attempts by the powerful throughout history to dictate and dominate reproduction and regulate human breeding. Rutherford says population control has been attempted in every country for thousands of years. He says new gene editing techniques have led to real conversations, including in the heart of British government, about tinkering with the DNA of unborn children to make them smarter, fitter and stronger. Rutherford presents regularly on BBC radio and television and is author of Creation, A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived, The Book of Humans, and How to Argue with a Racist.

Cobb’s new book, The Genetic Age: Our Perilous Quest to Edit Life, explains how a new gene editing technology has turned humanity into gods, allowing us to manipulate the genes in virtually any organism. He explains the world-changing potential of new genetics and the threats it poses. Cobb is professor of zoology at the University of Manchester. He is presenter of the BBC radio series, Genetic Dreams, Genetic Nightmares, and his books include The Idea of the Brain: A History and Life’s Greatest Secret: The Race to Crack the Genetic Code.