Biology

God of the Galapagos

Talk by Dr Karel de Pauw on the the religious and philosophical implications of Darwinism. When I asked Karel for an abstract he suggested the quote that first inspired him to give a talk on this topic.
How Viruses Affect Evolution

In honour of Darwin Day, a talk about viruses. How they evolved, why they make us sick, how pandemics rise and fall, and how, without viruses, we wouldn't be who we are.
Synthetic Biology - A Brave New World?

Imagine a world in which we could make fuels or pharmaceuticals in the same way we ferment malt to make beer. A world in which materials as strong as steel are made without industrial waste, or artificial viruses can be used to administer anti-cancer drugs without the usual side-effects of chemotherapy. Synthetic biology promises new technologies that could change our lives through the design and construction of new biological parts and devices, and the redesign of existing, natural biological organisms for new purposes.
Not a Chimp

Jeremy Taylor, author of "Not a Chimp" argues that there are actually significant differences betweens humans and chimpanzees and that this reality requires a different approach to animal welfare.
Origins of Life on Earth

Dr Terrence Kee discusses the possibility that life could have first traveled to Earth on an asteroid.