Welcome to the audio library of “The Scientist
& the Ethicists,” where you can listen to or download short
discussions on topical issues related to reproductive and genetic
technologies and the impact they have on women, families, and society.
This fascinating series of conversations between prominent bioethicists
and WBP Research Fellow and bioengineer Emilie Clemmens digs
deeper into issues raised by the books in the Women’s Bioethics Book Club such
as “designer babies” and genetic engineering.
Each podcast provides a unique perspective on the ethical, social, and
legal aspects of reproductive and genetic technologies. The series
covers such provocative questions as:
 | How are emerging genetic and reproductive technologies influencing our lives today? How will they change our lives in the future? |
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| Why are women’s perspectives important on these issues? |
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| Is it ethical for parents to choose an embryo based on its genetic traits? |
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| Is it ethical to change an embryo’s genes, given that it would affect future generations? What if it’s for a medical purpose? What if it’s for “enhancement,” non-medical reasons? |
The following "The Scientist & the Ethicists" podcast episodes are now available:
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Associate Executive Director, Center for Genetics
and Society
" … there are ways to absolutely protect reproductive freedom and reproductive choice while not saying that 'anything goes' concerning designer babies."
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Former Staff Director, National Commission for
the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research
and Los Alamos National Laboratory
“Pay attention, because it’s coming. You want to be able to make an informed decision about…whether society should be taking steps to encourage or restrict where science takes us.” |
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"The Scientist & the Ethicist" Part 1: on Women’s and International Bioethical Perspectives"The Scientist & the Ethicist" Part 2: on Genetic Enhancement, Reproductive Freedom, and the Changing Face of Healthcare
“I really don’t want to feel that we’re being pressured to live in a society where only ‘perfect people’ are acceptable.” |
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"The Scientist & the Ethicist: Ethics of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis"
“I think where the problem lies, though, is with using it (PGD) for enhancement purposes…To try and strive to have a perfect race—that’s a very scary thought.” |
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"The Scientist & the Ethicist: Laws Affecting Genetic Technologies"
“We always, in the United States, make
a distinction between what we think is right and wrong and what we
think the government should prohibit and permit.”
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