Lecture
WURtalks - Tinkering with DNA
DNA is the most important carrier of genetic information in all organisms. These days we can read and change this information with new DNA-techniques. How can we apply these techniques and do we actually want that?
This WURtalk will be held in Dutch.
Reading and writing our DNA-code: does it make human beings better?
Marc van Mil
Reading somebody's entire DNA-code will soon be a piece of cake and the latest techniques even make it possible to tinker with those DNA-codes. DNA seems to be the holy grail of life, but can we shape mankind? Technique and ethics will come together in the search to what we can do, want to do and don't want to do with our DNA.
Dr. Ir. Marc van Mil graduated from Wageningen University in 2005 as biotechnologist. Currently he is academic teacher for the Biomedical Science study at Utrecht University. This year he was chosen as the national higher education teacher of the year.
New DNA techniques in plant breeding
René Smulders
The reading and tinkering with DNA is also possible for plants. How can this be applied in plant breeding? And does this have consequences for the food supply?
Dr. René Smulders graduated from Radboud University Nijmegen in 1984 as biologist. Currently he is business unit manager plant breeding at Wageningen University & Research. The origins of the group can be traced to the start of Plant Breeding teaching and research in Wageningen in 1912.
What are WURtalks?
WURtalks are lecture evenings where gifted storytellers from Wageningen University & Research give inspiring lectures. The WURtalks are for all students and employees of WUR and other interested people. After the lecture you’re invited for a dialogue with the other visitors and scientists.
More information about WURtalks