Ideas@Alleyns – R V Jones Lecture: Sir Robert Winston

On Monday night we welcomed Professor Robert Winston to the school to deliver our annual R V Jones Lecture. His lecture titled ‘Dangerous Genetics’ highlighted how scientific arrogance in the pursuit of perceived perfection can be the downfall of humanity.

Using historical examples of prejudice Professor Winston reflected on the immoral and pseudoscientific theory of eugenics that claims it is possible to perfect people and groups through genetics and the scientific laws of inheritance. He then looked forward to the current day Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill which according to gov.uk, “covers precision-bred plants and animals developed through techniques such as gene editing, where the genetic changes could have occurred naturally or through traditional breeding methods. This is different to genetic modification (GM), which produces organisms containing additional genes.” Professor Winston made the case that speeding up genetic changes that could happen naturally or through cross breeding could be detrimental to species and leave them exposed to infection and viruses or indeed change the very nature of the organism itself. In Professor Winston’s opinion this bill is one step too close to gene-editing in humans which is hugely controversial and raises many ethical questions which need to be addressed.