The Embryo Frontier: Editing Human Life
The Daniel Callahan Annual Program
April 23, 2026, 6-7:15 pm, EST
Should we use science to edit human life? Gene editing of human embryos could prevent serious genetic disease and improve quality of life in unprecedented ways. But it also raises major ethical concerns. Critics argue it may be unsafe, would affect future generations who cannot consent, and may increase social inequity by creating ‘designer babies’ and changing how society views disability and diversity. Join us for a lively debate between Cathy Tie and I. Glenn Cohen, moderated by Hastings Center President Vardit Ravitsky.
This event is the second in the Hastings series “Frontiers in the Ethics of Human Reproduction”
Debaters:
Cathy Tie
CEO and Founder, Origin Genomics
I. Glenn Cohen, PhD
Faculty Director, Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology & Bioethics, Harvard University
Moderated by:
Vardit Ravitsky, PhD
President & CEO,
The Hastings Center for Bioethics
Hosted by the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs
Support provided by the Jeanette Lappe Memorial Fund. The Daniel Callahan Annual Program commemorates Hastings co-founder Daniel Callahan’s commitment to public engagement on thorny issues of public policy.
