277. Genomic Engineering - The Quest for the Perfect Human

04/22/25 • 56 min

When hear the term 'genetic engineering', what do you think of? Does your mind immediately jump to the extreme thoughts of eugenics and creating 'the perfect human'? Or do you think of more socially acceptable genetic modifications to treat medical diseases such as cancer and inflammation? Well regardless of what you facet of genetic modification you think of, genetic engineering in any form is considered controversial by many. So what exactly is genetic engineering, and how is it be using to both treat disease and to alter some of our available choices for the babies we are producing? Dr. Eben Kirksey joins the podcast.

Learn more about Eben Kirksey and his multiple books at https://eben-kirksey.space

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about Eben Kirksey and his multiple books at https://eben-kirksey.space

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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276. Freud - Sex, Psychoanalysis, and the Unconscious

Sigmund Freud was one of the most prominent figures of the 19th and 20th centuries. The founder of psychoanalysis, he's viewed as one of the fathers of modern day psychiatry and psychology. But for all the interest in Freud, there's also much intrigue around him and perhaps even confusion as to what exactly his theories were, how accurate they were, and what kind of importance they play in our modern understanding of the mind. Professor Henk de Berg joins the podcast.

Professor de Berg's book on Freud - https://www.amazon.ca/Freuds-Theory-Literary-Cultural-Studies/dp/1571133011

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278. 'The AI War' in Israel and Gaza

While AI is starting to dominate many facets of the cultural conversation, perhaps the potential impacts of AI are highlighted no more clearly than by looking at AI in the military. AI has been increasingly used in military operations to more accurately determine targets, allow for more efficient military operations, and to ideally limit civilian casualties. But what is at stake if we allow decisions of life or death to be made by AI systems? What are the moral implications? What are the practical results? Tal Mimran joins the podcast and breaks down how AI has been utilized in the war between Israel and Gaza.

Tal Mimran - https://csrcl.huji.ac.il/people/tal-mimran

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