Events

« Wednesday April 07, 2010 »
Wed
Start: 7:30 pm
  Science fiction classics and even current movie blockbusters such as Avatar have opened our eyes to the wonders and perils of biotechnology. But the reality of bioengineering is that it’s more fact than science fiction -- we’ve cloned animals, built biological machines -- and now it’s only a matter of time before we’re facing our own clones.   Will they be evil? Can they read your mind? And most importantly, do you havewhat it takes to defeat your own clone? Don’t panic -- find out all this and more inthis satirical and hilarious guide. Mixing scientific facts with our fictional -- but very possible -- future, bioengineering experts Kyle Kurpinski andTerry D. Johnson share the secrets to survival, including crucial knowledge:   • Bioenhancements: They’re not just for cyborgs anymore. • DNA sequencing and fingerprinting: What’s scarier than the government having your DNA on file? Try having it posted on the Internet. • Human cloning: Just like you, only stronger, smarter, and more attractive. In other words: more dangerous.   Don’t let the not-too-distant bioengineered future (or your future clone) catch you unawares – Johnson and Kurpinski deliver an educational, entertaining survival guide that will help you understand one of the most controversial and exciting issues in modern science. Just remember the first rule of engagement: Don’t ever let your clone read this book!   Kyle Kurpinski holds a PH.D. in Bioengineering from the joint graduate group between the UC Berkeley and the UCSF. He has worked in various labs across the country including the National Human Genome Research Institute in Maryland, the Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California. His original goal in life was to become either a neurosurgeon or a stuntman, but he put these dreams on hold to pursue the jet-setting lifestyle of a research scientist. He currently works for a biotech company in the Bay Area where he develops new technologies for tissue regeneration. This may sound impressive on paper, but Kyle is the first to admit that the majority of his time is spent transferring small amounts of liquid between various containers.   Terry Johnson is a lecturer in the bioengineering department at the UC Berkeley. He began his lecturing career in the chemical engineering department at MIT. The subjects of his classes range from tissue engineering to mathematical biology, displaying a versatility that has prevented him from achieving any actual expertise in a single subject. Terry is a machine that takes in caffeine and alcohol and outputs hair, paralyzing self-reproach, and the occasional PowerPoint slide.   Visit the authors here.   
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