The Technoskeptic presents …

And now a word from our friends at The Technoskeptic. They have an awesome event coming up (we’re a media co-sponsor), and we asked the online magazine’s founder, Mo Lotman, to invite Dig readers personally and to tell you about his site, which has never been more necessary than it is now … -Dig Editors

When Andrew Niccol’s stylish futuristic thriller Gattaca hit theatres in 1997, it raised deep hypothetical questions regarding genetic supremacy that made for enjoyable parlor conversation. Two decades later, with the advent of the CRISPR gene-editing technique and mitochondrial donation, among other advances, the questions are no longer hypothetical, and the conversation is a lot more serious.

Join The Technoskeptic and the Brattle Theatre for a screening of the film, starring Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, followed by a discussion of the real science that has dramatically upped the ethical stakes. Taking part in the discussion will be George Annas, director of the Center for Health Law, Ethics & Human Rights at Boston University; Antonio Regalado, the senior biomedicine editor for the MIT Technology Review; and me, Mo Lotman of The Technoskeptic. Annas is the author or editor of 20 books on health law and bioethics, including Genomic Messages and Worst Case Bioethics. Regalado is a former Wall Street Journal science reporter who’s written hundreds of articles for the Tech Review since 2011, including many on genetic engineering. Mo Lotman is the founder and publisher of The Technoskeptic, a magazine taking a critical look at the impact of technology on society, featuring articles, podcasts, and events.

This event is the second in a series called The Technoskeptic Goes to the Movies, pairing technologically-themed films with relevant experts for thought-provoking discussions about issues raised in the films. Engaging with the public and encouraging critical thinking is part of the mission of The Technoskeptic. In addition to public events, the magazine offers articles focusing on particular issues like Facebook’s privacy depredations and the implication of e-books on comprehension and ownership, as well as broader philosophical questions. The podcast features interviews with authors and other specialists like cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier and media historian Tim Wu. The magazine is viewable at thetechnoskeptic.com, with downloadable, print-formatted articles available to subscribers. A full print version is in development.

Join us for the screening and discussion on Saturday, April 15 at 7PM at the Brattle Theatre, located at 40 Brattle Street in Harvard Square, Cambridge. General admission tickets are $12.