Rapid advances in reproductive and genetic technology are transforming the way new human beings can be created, selected and modified. At the same time, powerful medical technology is able to keep elderly people alive in the face of devastating diseases and degenerative conditions. How can we respond to these complex ethical challenges from the perspective of the historic Christian faith? This talk will discuss how our responses to ethical challenges at the beginning and end of life reflect deep and contested views on what it means to be human, and will offer some practical ways forward for addressing these complex issues.

About the speaker

John Wyatt is Emeritus Professor of Neonatal Paediatrics at University College London.  He was previously Professor and academic lead for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at University College London Hospitals, an internationally recognised centre for the care of critically ill newborn infants.  He has a special interest in the implications of advances in technology for the future of humanity and he is currently leading a research project based at the Faraday Institute on the philosophical, social and ethical implications of advances in robotics and artificial intelligence.