Progress in synthetic biology and genetic engineering promise to bring advancements in human health sciences by curing disease, augmenting human capabilities, and even reversing aging. At the same time, such technology could be used to unleash novel diseases and biological agents which could pose global catastrophic and existential risks to life on Earth. George Church, a titan of synthetic biology, joins us on this episode of the FLI Podcast to discuss the benefits and risks of our growing knowledge of synthetic biology, its role in the future of life, and what we can do to make sure it remains beneficial. Will our wisdom keep pace with our expanding capabilities?

Topics discussed in this episode include:

-Existential risk
-Computational substrates and AGI
-Genetics and aging
-Risks of synthetic biology
-Obstacles to space colonization
-Great Filters, consciousness, and eliminating suffering

You can find the page for this podcast here: https://futureoflife.org/2020/05/15/on-the-future-of-computation-synthetic-biology-and-life-with-george-church/

You can take a survey about the podcast here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/W8YLYD3

You can submit a nominee for the Future of Life Award here: https://futureoflife.org/future-of-life-award-unsung-hero-search/

Timestamps: 

0:00 Intro
3:58 What are the most important issues in the world?
12:20 Collective intelligence, AI, and the evolution of computational systems
33:06 Where we are with genetics
38:20 Timeline on progress for anti-aging technology
39:29 Synthetic biology risk
46:19 George's thoughts on COVID-19
49:44 Obstacles to overcome for space colonization
56:36 Possibilities for "Great Filters"
59:57 Genetic engineering for combating climate change
01:02:00 George's thoughts on the topic of "consciousness"
01:08:40 Using genetic engineering to phase out voluntary suffering
01:12:17 Where to find and follow George

This podcast is possible because of the support of listeners like you. If you found this conversation to be meaningful or valuable consider supporting it directly by donating at futureoflife.org/donate. Contributions like yours make these conversations possible.

FLI Podcast: On the Future of Computation, Synthetic Biology, and Life with George Church

Lyrics:

Hello again, Tinder my old friend
Here we are once more, although last time I swore never again

Where else can I go, it’s not a movie or a show
This adventure is way way more slow
And you need to find love before it can grow
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To find the one for me wait a minute I think I found 3.

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I don’t know why, Why I even
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and I sigh
Good thing I’m still in my prime

Well atleast there’s hope, she’s pretty dope
We got a lot in common, she meditates often
We talked for a week, but our future’s bleak
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Then there is bri, she’s number 3
Maybe it’s not as it seems
She liked my message, but no response is on my screen.
My brain it goes to all the extremes
Oh man what is wrong with me

I don’t know why, Why I even
Tryy, Everytime it never works out
and I sigh
Why don’t the sparks ever fly?

Dating sucks but it’s what I have to do
Nothing is wrong with me, that I always knew
It’s just not time yet, and I know you’ll be right on que
And I’ll look back and realize how much I grew

While I 
While I 
While I

While I was looking for you.

Tinder (Looking for you)

Warren G

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