Cowboy Cloners: The Ethics & Morality of Scientific Communities

20 September 2006

Professor Peter Glasner

Ever since Dolly the sheep was cloned, there has been much debate in the media and public spheres about the ethics and morality of genetic research. But little attention has been paid to how scientific communities accomplish this important area of 21st century research.

In this lecture, Professor Peter Glasner considers some of the organisational and ethical issues that arise from debates about the selection, modification and engineering of human and other species, and their implications for improving health and extending human life. Examples range from the applications of stem cell technology in India and the UK, enabling the emergence of ‘cowboy cloners’, to analysis of proteomics and systems biology, and the issues surrounding the creation of ‘virtual’ life.

Broad Topics: Arts and Social Sciences

Sub-topics: Medical & Health Science, Philosophy & Religion, Society & Culture

Areas: University

Peter Glasner is Professorial Research Fellow for CESAGen at Cardiff University. He taught sociology at ANU between 1971 and 1978. His longstanding interests are in the organisation and management of the new genetics, the development of innovative health technologies, and public participation in techno-scientific decision-making.

Professor Glasner has published widely, and is a founding editor of the journal New Genetics and Society published by Routledge. He is an Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Part of the 2006 Toyota-ANU Public Lecture Series