December 12th Event: Science will make you perfect! (Then What?)

Did you miss this event in October? Here’s your chance to see it!

“Science will make you perfect! (Then what?)”
A Lively Evening Salon on Genetic Technology

December 12, 2010 at 6:30 PM – FREE TO ATTEND WITH PURCHASE OF A TICKET TO THE SHOW ANYTIME DURING THE RUN at Theatre of NOTE

Prepare to give your imagination a workout! A geneticist, neuroscientist, bioethicist, technologist, artist, and a filmmaker will join forces for an evening of debate, discussion, and flights of fancy over one of today’s most important technological forces. This event, produced by the pan-media production company Off-Chance Productions, is a companion piece for the production of playwright Luis Arturo Reyes’ “The Limitations of Genetic Technology.” Come listen to experts discuss the issues of humanity and science that lie at the core of this dynamic new play, and then watch the play before or after the discussion.

This ninety-minute interactive salon will begin with an overview of some of the most exciting new trends in genetics and the potential for improving the human mind and body. Then the panelists will turn to thought-provoking questions and scenarios ranging from designer babies to exotic upgrades and beyond!

Your Salon Panelists (See website for updates)

The Geneticist: Vlad Kustanovich, holds a Ph.D. in Human Genetics from UCLA with a focus on the genetics of psychiatric traits He serves as the researcher liaison and research data manager for the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange.

The Neuroscientist: Laurel Martin-Harris is pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience at UCLA in the laboratory of Dr. Susan Bookheimer. Her current work focuses on the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on the hippocampus to identify the earliest markers of the disease for diagnosis and treatment.

The Bioethicist: Shlomo Sher serves as a Fellow at the USC Levan Institute of Humanities and Ethics and received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from USC. This semester he’s teaching Medical Ethics at USC and the Philosophy of Love and Sex at Cal State Fullerton.

The Technologist: David Watkins, Jr. analyzes digital media for the RAND corporation and serves as head of the Directors Unit for Fierce Backbone, a company dedicated to developing new dramatic works for the stage. He is currently directing “The Limitations of Genetic Technology.”

The Artist: Luis Arturo Reyes has created projects in a wide variety of media, including music, graphic novels, video games, film and stage Most recently he produced “Shaheed,” an official selection of the FringeNYC play festival, and wrote “The Limitations of Genetic Technology.”

The Moderator: Steven Calcote specializes in the use of new technologies for innovative storytelling. He divides time between filmmakers’ collaborative Butcher Bird Studios and Off-Chance Productions, where he is one of the producers for “The Limitations of Genetic Technology.”

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October 14th: “Science will make you perfect! (Then what?)”
A Lively Evening Salon on Genetic Technology

Listen to the salon by clicking the link below:

LOTG-salon_audio conversion AAC 128Kbps

October 14, 2010 at 8:00 PM – The event took place at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre, at the Pasadena Playhouse and was well in attendance. Patrons watched and learned how science and genetic technology within the play is explored on a practical level – the knowledge of the panelists for the event was mind-blowing, thought provoking and fulfilled much curiousity. Thank you to all in attendance and supporting from afar!

Carrie Hamilton Theater, at the Pasadena Playhouse
39 S. El Molino Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Prepare to give your imagination a workout! A geneticist, neuroscientist, bioethicist, technologist, artist, and a filmmaker will join forces for an evening of debate, discussion, and flights of fancy over one of today’s most important technological forces. This event, produced by the pan-media production company Off-Chance Productions, is a companion piece for the upcoming production of playwright Luis Arturo Reyes’ “The Limitations of Genetic Technology.” Come listen to experts discuss the issues of humanity and science that lie at the core of this dynamic new play.

The Geneticist: Vlad Kustanovich, holds a Ph.D. in Human Genetics from UCLA with a focus on the genetics of psychiatric traits He serves as the researcher liaison and research data manager for the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange.

The Neuroscientist: Laurel Martin-Harris is pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience at UCLA in the laboratory of Dr. Susan Bookheimer. Her current work focuses on the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on the hippocampus to identify the earliest markers of the disease for diagnosis and treatment.

The Bioethicist: Shlomo Sher serves as a Fellow at the USC Levan Institute of Humanities and Ethics and received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from USC. This semester he’s teaching Medical Ethics at USC and the Philosophy of Love and Sex at Cal State Fullerton.

The Technologist: David Watkins, Jr. analyzes digital media for the RAND corporation and serves as head of the Directors Unit for Fierce Backbone, a company dedicated to developing new dramatic works for the stage. He is currently directing “The Limitations of Genetic Technology.”

The Artist: Luis Arturo Reyes has created projects in a wide variety of media, including music, graphic novels, video games, film and stage Most recently he produced “Shaheed,” an official selection of the FringeNYC play festival, and wrote “The Limitations of Genetic Technology.”

The Moderator: Steven Calcote specializes in the use of new technologies for innovative storytelling. He divides time between filmmakers’ collaborative Butcher Bird Studios and Off-Chance Productions, where he is one of the producers for “The Limitations of Genetic Technology.”

Proceeds from this event will go to benefit production of the new dramatic play, “The Limitations of Genetic Technology”: Four people discover the emotional limits of the artificial in a world where science has triumphed over physical imperfection. The play premieres at Theatre of NOTE in Hollywood, November 13, 2010 and runs through December 11, 2010.

Also, before the salon, enjoy a wonderful meal at the renowned Elements restaurant beneath the Carrie Hamilton Theater. Visit http://www.elementskitchen.com/kitchen.html

: Panelists Laurel Martin-Harris, Tanvir Hussain, M.D., Shlomo Sher, and Vlad Kustanovich, Ph.D.

: From left to right: Luis Arturo Reyes, Laurel Martin-Harris, Tanvir Hussain, M.D., Shlomo Sher, and Vlad Kustanovich, Ph.D., David Watkins Jr., and Steven Calcote.