5 TED Talks About Genetics

Speakers have been showcasing unique ideas and perspectives at TED (technology, entertainment and design) conferences since 1984. Limited to 18 minutes, these talks can cover any subject and be informative, persuasive, entertaining or thought-provoking. The field of genetics is just one of the many hot topics that presenters have chosen to highlight, and these five TED talks offer a variety of insights into the subject.

Genomics 101 – Barry Schuler

Beginning with a brief history of the discovery of DNA and the human genome, Barry Schuler gives an overview of the growing field of genomics and how it may impact our future. Genomics involves analyzing how DNA works within an organism, and Schuler uses the metaphor of a unique “language” that describes the various functions that DNA performs. He relates this to the binary coding that makes up all digital media and communications before going on to discuss the potential benefits and pitfalls of being able to read and manipulate this code.

The Life Code That Will Reshape the Future – Juan Enriquez

Juan Enriquez takes listeners way back to prehistoric times to discuss how it might be possible to learn more about all living things by sequencing the genomes of older life forms. Giving examples of ancient amoebas recently discovered by scientists, Enriquez points out that these creatures could hold the keys to helping humans better understand how life works. He goes on to suggest that this knowledge could be applied in beneficial ways, including “reprogramming” human cells to recover lost limbs or repair damaged body parts.

It’s Time to Question Bio-Engineering – Paul Root Wolpe

From cloned animals to genetically modified foods, Paul Root Wolpe asks his audience to consider the implications of how people are now using genetics to manipulate the natural world. He compares theories of evolution and intelligent design to this new era of “evolution by design,” describing several examples of creatures that never could have existed in nature or been produced by cross-breeding. His inevitable conclusion is to ask what the ethical and moral implications may be if these practices are one day extended to humans.

Will Our Kids Be a Different Species? – Juan Enriquez

By portraying human development as a series of “upgrades” over the course of history, Juan Enriquez gives a new perspective on how people may view the theory of evolution. Research into the field of genetics has given modern man unprecedented insights into how genes are associated with particular traits that range from eye color to the ability to perform amazing feats, and Enriquez notes that people’s obsession with changing themselves could bring society to a place where genetics are used to manipulate personal development starting at birth.

Building a Dinosaur from a Chicken – Jack Horner

This humorous talk shows a different side of genetics as speaker Jack Horner takes listeners on a hypothetical odyssey from the time of the T-Rex to the era of the domesticated chicken. Highlighting evidence showing dinosaurs were social creatures that nested, lived in groups and cared for their young, Horner draws parallels between these ancient lizards and the birds that most people better recognize as McNuggets. If, as discoveries suggest, creatures existed that bridged the gap between the two, might it be possible to reactivate ancient traits and wind up with a “Chickenosaurus?”

This is just a sampling of the nearly three dozen talks about genetics on the TED website. Whether you’re currently studying this complex field or are considering a career that could be influenced by ongoing research, listening to these talks can give you insight into how genetics could impact the future.

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