UQ Ideas Forum: Will genetic engineering reshape humanity?

In recognition of National Science Week (10-18 August 2024) the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) is hosting a special event in collaboration with the Institute of Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) on Friday 18 August. QBI, AIBN and IMB are world-class research institutes, based at the University of Queensland (UQ), pushing the frontiers of knowledge about the brain, human biology and technology.

This year’s theme for National Science Week is Species Survival: More Than Just Sustainability. We would like to take this opportunity to build connections with the next generation of researchers and create an engaging platform to raise awareness of the importance of discovery research with advancing science and potential therapies and technologies of the future, by hosting a special ‘UQ Ideas Forum’ at QBI titled: Will genetic engineering reshape humanity?

We have partnered with the Queensland Academy of Science Mathematics and Technology (QASMT) and Brisbane Grammar School with an invitation for their year 10 students to attend a panel discussion with experts from UQ’s three flagship scientific institutes on the broad theme: ‘Will genetic engineering reshape humanity?'

Please join us for a Q&A-style panel discussion around the importance of basic science to inform the innovations of tomorrow with a focus on genetic engineering, facilitated by energy expert and science commentator, Dr Joel Gilmore. 

In the second hour we plan to include an interactive component which will involve a competitive group pitch involving four teams of students, outlining a genetic engineering solution to a problem facing humanity and vice-versa. The winning team will be awarded a summer internship at one of the three UQ Institutes of their choice. This competition will be opened up to all schools next year.