A Good Night for Cate Science

February 24, 2017

Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee (photo by Deborah Feingold)

On the night of February 22, Campbell Hall at UCSB was packed with 600 intellectually curious adults, including five members of the Cate science department and five Advanced Molecular Genetics students. Pulitzer Prize-winning author and distinguished oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee M.D. gave a lecture on the state of genetics and the need for a scientifically literate citizenry to address the important questions that will arise as advances in biotechnology accelerate.

Mukherjee spoke about CRISPR mechanisms and the ability to remove highly penetrable genes in vitro to potentially prevent genetic diseases. That goal, while justifiable in preventing extraordinary suffering opens the door to bigger questions about human gene modification.

The highlight of the evening was when Cate senior Henry Dawson leapt to the microphone right after Dr. Mukherjee invited questions from the large and distinguished audience (UCSB Trustees were in attendance). Henry represented Cate well by eloquently and enthusiastically asking about the future of genetics, the diseases that could be eradicated, the ethical challenges therein, and how a young student, like himself, could pursue answers to those questions and solutions to the problems.

It was a good night for Cate Science.