INTERACTION. Starting April 13, this year’s Science Festival will present 350 program items. A wide range of co-workers from the University of Gothenburg contribute to the festival, among others Åsa Torinsson Naluai, who conducts research on genetics and complex diseases at the Genomics Core Facilities.
For Åsa’s part it is premier in the Science Festival. She was asked to participate in a panel discussion on cloning and genetic manipulation, and what it means that the technology pushes the boundaries of what is possible. The discussion will involve both the opportunities that exist right now, and what to expect in the near future – from cloning and genetic engineering to design wanted properties and repair the fetus.
“I hope to contribute to an increasing debate about the future possibilities of genetic engineering and what we will be able to do and what we can already do. We are facing major technological advances that will provide great opportunities to cure diseases, but these changes also bring new aspects and possible new problems in society”, says Åsa.
Also Mikael Kubista, CEO of the company Life Genomics, molecular biologist Gunnar Bjursell and Karin Wilbe Ramsey from the National Medical Ethics Council will participate in the panel discussion, which takes place Saturday April 16, at 15:30-16:30 at Pedagogen.
Åsa believes that it is important to take the time to discuss and debate difficult questions:
“It is particularly important if it leads to changes in society affecting all. Genetic engineering has been debated many times before but never have we been so close to a societal change that we do now.
What kind of relationship do you have to the Science Festival?
“Every year I intend to go and listen to as many people as possible. Unfortunately, it is not always that I manage to attend as much as I would like. This year, I look very much forward to participating and among other things go and visit the experimental workshop in the freeport.”
Most of the program during the Science Festival is in Swedish, but there are a few items held in English: http://vetenskapsfestivalen.se/in-english/
Full Swedish program is available here: http://vetenskapsfestivalen.se/for-alla/
