Hutton Honors College

Panel Discussion: Perfection and Imperfection
in the Age of the Genome

February 18, 2009

What ethical, philosophical, and scientific implications arise from our increasing knowledge and control of biotechnology and the genome? With what effect on our views of human perfection, aging, and dying? Who are we? Who do we want to be? These are merely some of the questions that were addressed in this discussion panel, featuring Liz Lerman, choreographer and director of the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, and IU faculty members Karen Hanson (Philosophy), Lisa Sideris (Religious Studies), Sarah Phillips (Anthropology - Disability Studies), Phil Stafford (the Center on Aging and Community and the Institute of Disability and Community), Matthew Hahn (Biology), Susan Seizer (Communication and Culture), and Elisabeth Lloyd (History and Philosophy of Science), with Vice Provost Tom Gieryn (Sociology) moderating.

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Anya Peterson Royce of the Anthropology Department welcomes the attendees to the panel discussion and introduces each of the panel members.

Liz Lerman talks about her inspirations for her company's production Ferocious Beauty: Genome and shares some of the things she learned in her years of research and preparation.

IU Provost and philosophy professor Karen Hanson speaks about how philosophers' views of perfection have varied over time.

Susan Seizer of the Department of Communication and Culture speaks about the differences between congenital defects and those that occur later in life, and the different ways in which the people affected by these disabilities respond to them.

Biology professor Matthew Hahn provides information about what a genome is and how it is scientifically impossible to achieve "perfection."

Elisabeth Lloyd of the Department of the History and Philosophy of Science also tackles the tricky subject of perfection.