Events and What's On

The Chaplaincy Annual Lecture - What is special about human beings?

Monday, February 16, 2009

Professor Wyatt (Professor of Ethics and Perinatology, University College London), will be delivering the lecture entitled "What is special about human beings - Being human in a biotech age".

Professor John Wyatt will speak about human life in the light of advances in biotechnology and
the impact on human distinctiveness and dignity (e.g. human-animal hybrid embryos, advances
in genetics and neuroscience and the development of artificial intelligence and man-machine
enhancements).

John has spent the majority of his career as a clinician in a neonatal intensive care unit at
University College London and has led research into the mechanisms and prevention of brain
damage before and after birth. He has a long-standing interest in the philosophical and religious
background to contemporary ethical debates about medical technology and the beginning of
life. He is a member of the newly formed UCL Centre for Philosophy, Justice & Health; the Ethics
Committees of the Royal College of Physicians; Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health and
is Chairman of the Medical Study Group of the Christian Medical Fellowship. He is also author of
the book “Matters of Life and Death” (InterVarsity Press).

The Heriot-Watt Chaplain-elect, the Rev. Dr. Alistair Donald, will act as host a this event.

Staff, students and members of the public are all welcome to attend.