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Schedule

Wednesday, January 24, 2024
6:30 p.m. Film Screening
8 p.m. Discussion
8:45 p.m. Audience Q&A

The documentary Make People Better explores cutting-edge genetic and biotechnological developments in China, examining the 2018 case of biophysicist He Jiankui who created the first genetically edited human babies in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. Exploring the landscape of genetic research, personalized medicine, and ethical considerations, the documentary provides a rare and comprehensive look into China's role in advancing the frontiers of genomic science.

Join us for a screening, followed by a conversation with Jim Endersby, Professor of the History of Science in the School of Media, Arts, and Humanities at the University of Sussex, and moderator Robert J. Howell, Yasser El-Sayed Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Rice University, on the pivotal role of genetic research in shaping the future of healthcare and its implications for individuals and communities in China, the United States, and beyond.

This program is part of Brave New Worlds: Who Decides? Research, Risk and Responsibility, a conference supported by Rice University's Scientia/De Lange Conference XIII in collaboration with the Baker Institute for Public Policy. For conference information, visit delange.rice.edu.

Make People Better
United States, 2022, 84 minutes
Director: Cody Sheehy | Language: English

About the Speaker

Jim Endersby is professor of the History of Science in the School of Media, Arts, and Humanities at the University of Sussex, U.K. He has particular interests in the histories of natural history, biology and genetics which range from the reception and influence of Darwinism to orchids. He is the author of several books, including A Guinea Pig’s History of Biology, and has recently completed The Arrival of the Fittest: Biology’s Imaginary Futures, 1900-1935 (University of Chicago Press, Fall 2024), which looks at the origins of claims that biology can create utopian futures for humanity.

About the Moderator

Robert J. Howell is the Yasser El-Sayed Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Rice University.  He is the author of numerous articles in the philosophy of mind, metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology, and in recent works, he explores the ethics of technology and artificial intelligence. He is the author of Consciousness and the Limits of Objectivity (Oxford, 2013) and Self-Awareness and the Elusive Subject (Oxford, 2023).

Asia Society hosts today's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect Asia Society views.

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About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.