Imagine generating a living thing of your own design, to your own specifications. Recently, researchers have developed powerful new technologies that allow life to be built from scratch. New, engineered organisms are being constructed to help cure cancer, produce renewable energy, and assemble living computers. Teenagers can now learn to program DNA just as they learn to program computers. But who will control these new biotechnologies? What good and bad possibilities seem likely to come true?

In this lecture, Endy discusses the science behind this new biology and the many factors that must be considered as research progresses, from practical issues like patents and copyrights, to the weighty implications of essentially creating life.

Researcher Sean Morrison (Univ. Michigan) studies the role of adult stem cells in human development, aging, and cancer. As evidence mounts that many cancers may in part result from normal adult stem cells going awry, Morrison and his group hope to develop treatments that would target cancerous adult stem cells while leaving normal regenerative stem cells unharmed. In his lecture, Morrison discusses the basic biology of stem cells, their role in cancer and aging, and how state and federal politics are affecting the progress of stem cell research.

(2 of 4 – The Genetic Age) What is personalized medicine? How might it improve health care? What are the scientific and research issues that are guiding the development of personalized medicine? The issues are explored by a panel of basic research, industry, and public health experts.

(1 of 4 – The Genetic Age) Dr. Dora Hughes, health policy advisor to Senator Barack Obama, discusses the political environment and legislative issues affecting the use of genetic technologies in health care.

(4 of 4 - Imaging the Brain, Reading the Mind) Panelists answer questions from the audience on the science, ethics, and social implications of brain imaging.

(3 of 4 - Imaging the Brain, Reading the Mind) Can we use brain imaging to reveal whether a subject is telling the truth?  What can brain imaging reveal about a person's mental state or emotions?  Dr. Martha Farah examines the social and ethical implications of medical and forensic applications of brain imaging technology.

(2 of 4 - Imaging the Brain, Reading the Mind) Dr. Marsel Mesulam explores the biology, history, and technology of brain imaging.  What are the limitations of this powerful technology?

This lecture features two speakers -  Eugenie Scott addresses the political and social issues challenging the science classroom, while Robert Pennock discusses what science is and is not.

(7 of 7 - Global Warming) Panelists answer questions on issues related to global warming and loss of biodiversity.

(6 of 7 - Global Warming) Dr. David Lentz reviews the damaging impact of global warming on the earth's ecosystems and the practical challenges we face.  He discusses the challenges of habitat preservation and reconstruction efforts in Mexican rain forests and Illinois grasslands.

(5 of 7 - Global Warming) Significant effects of climate change on the environment are already being seen, with major changes to come. Dr. Thomas Lovejoy explains the urgency with which policymakers must confront legislative and economic issues related to climate change. He outlines conservation strategies for protecting our existing natural resources from climate change, and potential solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

(4 of 7 - Global Warming) Dr. Stuart Pimm explores the the "golden era" of biodiversity - from 1805-1840 - when the breadth of plant and animal species was discovered, and the theory of evolution developed.  It was also during this time that the narrow geographic habitats of many species was first appreciated.  Dr. Pimm explains why animal and plant species living in such habitats are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

(3 of 7 - Global Warming) Dr. Richard Feely discusses the broad impact of global warming on our oceans. He examines the damaging effects of retreating arctic ice, coral reef bleaching, and ocean acidification on fragile marine life ecosystems.

(1 of 7 - Global Warming) Opening remarks by event co-organizer Dr. Albert Farbman

Professor Kittles explores historical and modern concepts of "race" through a genetic lens.  He explains how evolutionary and genetic ancestry studies have revealed much about our common origins, and the implications of these studies for improving medical care. Kittles also discusses the social and political history of genetics and race.

(2 of 7 - Global Warming) Dr. Fred Mackenzie discusses the science of global warming, including the "greenhouse effect," evidence for industrialization's contribution to climate change, and predictions of global warming's effect on our environment.