Video Review: Talking Biopolitics

Watch Talking Biopolitics with George Annas and Lisa Ikemoto on YouTube

Genomic medicine has advanced rapidly in recent years and, with our increasing capacity to collect and store genetic information, it holds not only great promise but also pitfalls, for individuals and communities. This was the topic under discussion in a live video conversation on 7 October, organised by the Center for Genetics and Society.

The conversation was between Professor Lisa Ikemoto of the University of California, who was interviewing Professor George Annas, Director of the Center of Health Law, Ethics and Human Rights at Boston University, about his book Genomic Messages: How the Evolving Science of Genetics Affects our Health, Families, and Future'.

Professor Annas and his co-writer Sherman Elias (an obstetrician-gynaecologist, who died last year) have written a book that addresses important issues. The blurb on the back refers to 'an uncertain time' and one that is 'fraught with understandable and uncomfortable questions'. So I was intrigued to discover what topics the conversation would cover, and what 'uncomfortable questions' it might address.

Professor Annas...