As Darwinian entities with strong physiological and psychological drives towards personal survival and reproduction, humans share many similarities with their animal cousins. However, humans have developed a capacity for self-reflection and cultural innovation that is uniquely highly developed. Part of the current human cultural repertoire is the anti-Darwinian practice of voluntarily limiting one’s personal reproduction through sexual abstention, contraception or abortion. In his book ‘Better Never To Have Been: The Harm Of Coming Into Existence’, the South African Philosopher, David Benatar, argues that such practices should be encouraged, and that the human species has a moral obligation to become extinct because this would reduce the amount of suffering on the planet. Benatar’s counter-intuitive views appear surprisingly difficult to refute.

Tom Moore is a veterinary surgeon who pursued PhD and postdoctoral studies in London and Cambridge, UK, before returning to Ireland and the Department of Biochemistry, UCC in 2000. His major research interests are in the areas of evolutionary and developmental genetics underpinning the physiological and psychological relationship between the mother and the developing embryo and child. He is the co-originator of an influential theory of Genetic Conflict which explains important aspects of the genetic control of embryonic and childhood development. He teaches medical and developmental genetics to UCC Science students.

The lecture will be delivered on Wednesday, January 18th 2012 at 8pm in Boole IV Lecture Theatre. The lecture series is organised by Emeritus Professor William Reville, Public Awareness of Science Officer, SEFS.

Full details of the lectures can be consulted by visiting website http://understandingscience.ucc.ie/Lecture2012.pdf

Admission is free, and as always, members of the public are invited to attend.

Picture:  Dr Tom Moore

 

 

<<Previous ItemNext Item>>

« Back to 2012 Press Releases