The recording of our “Humans of the Future” panel discussion from ISCAST’s 2023 The Scientific & Spiritual Human conference is now available.

What it is to be human in a world where ideas of science-fiction seem to be within our grasp? In this panel discussion + Q&A. In this panel discussion and Q&A, Philip Batterham, Brian Edgar, and Victoria Lorrimar discuss AI, transhumanism, future technologies, and ethics and justice in these spaces.

About the Panelists

Prof. Philip Batterham

Philip Batterham is an Emeritus Professor of Genetics at Melbourne University, and was the President of the International Genetics Foundation from 2013–2018. He is convening the 2023 International Congress of Genetics, of which The Scientific & Spiritual Human is a satellite public event. The Genetics Society of AustralAsia awarded Philip the 2015 MJD White Medal for a “lifetime contribution to genetics research.” Philip is an ISCAST fellow.

Dr Victoria Lorrimar

Victoria Lorrimar is a research fellow at the University of Notre Dame in Perth. Her doctoral research in theology and science at the University of Oxford was supervised by Prof. Alister McGrath. It explored theologies of humans as co-creators as a response to the prospect of enhancing human nature through technology. Victoria is an ISCAST fellow.

Victoria’s most recent book is Human Technological Enhancement and Theological Anthropology, published by Cambridge University Press.

Dr Brian Edgar

Brian Edgar was Professor of Theological Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, and previously spent 18 years as lecturer and then Academic Dean at Melbourne School of Theology. He also spent several years as a member of the Federal Government’s Gene Technology Ethics Committee. Brian has written extensively on various topics at the intersection of theology, ethics, and science. Brian is an ISCAST fellow.