Science, technology and our future: the big questions

Publication date: 16th April 2002

Summary
What is 'natural'?

Richard Dawkins pointed out that nature is Darwinian and dominated by the short-term greediness that is required within competitive ecosystems to pass on one's genes. Humans are no different and are dominated by those instincts, but with our complex brain-power we have the ability to rise above these destructive tendencies and be a good steward to the planet and ourselves.

Science, technology and our future: the big questions.

What is 'natural'?

Publication date: 16th April 2002

Summary
Chris Leaver explained how all food crops were the products of human intervention and made a plea for genetic modification to be used to feed the world, particularly with a growing population.

Science, technology and our future: the big questions

Publication date: 16th April 2002

Summary
Patrick Holden made a plea for more intuitive and emotional elements to be integrated in our too-rationalistic decision-making, and that we have much to learn from nature as well as to take from it.

Science, technology and our future: the big questions

What is 'natural'?

Publication date: 16th April 2002

Summary
The question and answer session raised issues as wide ranging as alternative medicine, population growth, bio-diversity and the rights of apes.

Science, technology and our future: the big questions.

What is 'natural'?

Publication date: 16th April 2002

Summary
Aubrey Manning concluded that because there is no clear dividing line between our ape-ancestors and modern humans and their inventions that everything, including machine guns and space shuttles were 'natural'. But that still meant we had to behave with responsibility