Are We Playing God?

Gene Editing and the Ethics of Human Enhancement

What happens when humanity gains the power to rewrite its own genetic code?

The revolutionary potential of gene editing technology like CRISPR opens doors to incredible medical breakthroughs, but it also raises profound ethical, religious, and philosophical questions. Are we curing disease or altering what it means to be human? Is there a line between healing and enhancement, and if so, who gets to draw it?

A landmark conversation at the intersection of cutting-edge science and timeless ethical tradition.

Featuring:

Jennifer A. Doudna, PhD
Nobel Prize Laureate for the Invention of CRISPR Gene Editing Technology
Dr. Doudna, a biochemist whose pioneering work in CRISPR gene editing earned her the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, offers insight into the science behind the technology and its rapidly evolving capabilities. Her work has transformed biomedical research and launched a global conversation about the responsible use of genetic engineering.

Rabbi Professor Avraham Steinberg
Associate Clinical Professor of Medical Ethics, Hebrew University–Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem
Rabbi Steinberg is a leading authority on Jewish medical ethics, a physician, and a Talmudic scholar. He brings a rigorous halakhic perspective to the complex ethical issues surrounding gene editing, human enhancement, and the concept of “playing God.”

Moderated by:

Rabbi Ephraim Goldfein, Esq.
Senior Attorney, Goldfein and Joseph, Philadelphia, PA
With a background in both Jewish law and civil jurisprudence, Rabbi Goldfein guides the discussion, drawing out critical questions and bridging perspectives from science, ethics, and Judaism.