15 Minute Futures

Bio-engineering applies the principles of engineering to the fields of biology and healthcare. By bringing these fields together, scientists have revolutionised our understanding of how biological organisms work, including those smart, but still hairy apes, we call humans. In this podcast we explore where this field came from and how went from a sleepy little discipline to giving us some of the most powerful tools we’ve ever had to change DNA, 3D print organs, slow the ageing process and even create new species. We explore the amazing new potential these technologies have for improving human health and well-being and even reducing our impact on other animals and the planet. But we also raise some of the ethical and even existential challenges the new and powerful tools of biotech are giving us. Are we ready for these new God-like powers? Listen and judge for yourself.