Is it ethical to use genetic technologies to improve a human being's beauty, athletics, IQ, memory, mathematical ability...etc, etc?

In the late 1970s, molecular biologists became capable of splicing and sequencing genes - and thereby developed the power to alter life!

How should this tremendous power be used?

Tomorrow two reknowned biology experts will be guests on my Sirius daily drivetime show BE HAPPY DAMMIT -- talking with me about four bioethical topics that have received substantial public attention and debate lately.

Firstly, the ethics of research with embryonic stem cells... and what constitutes a human being? Is an embryo a human being? Is it ethical to use genetic technologies to improve a human being's beauty, athletics, IQ, memory, mathematical ability...etc, etc? What, if anything, is wrong with genetic enhancements? Is there a conflict between the benefits for an individual and the harms for society in general?

Secondly, we'll be talking about how scarce medical technologies should be allocated. When pandemic influenza strikes, there will be a shortage of vaccines as well as ICU beds and respirators. If we only have a limited supply of influenza vaccines who should receive first priority? Those at risk of dying? Women and children? Those most economically productive? What ethical principle(s) should determine who gets a vaccine and who doesn’t? This same issue confronts us when we try to distribute livers or hearts for transplantation.

Thirdly, we'll address how the US is conducting biomedical research in developing countries. Is it ethical to do a study of an HIV vaccine in Africa? Or is such a study exploitation of poor Africans for the benefit of rich Americans? What conditions or requirements would make such a study ethical? How can we ensure we do not exploit the citizens of poor nations in conducting biomedical research?

Fourthly, we'll talk about health care reform. Polls say that Americans consider the #1 domestic issue health care reform. The three leading Democratic presidential candidates have offered health care reform plans. When Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts he enacted a health care reform plan. What should the goals of a reform be? What are the options for reforming the American health care system? Is the Massachusetts plan best? What about single payer? Or what about vouchers?

Needless to say, I'm excited and curious to talk about all of the above.

My two experts are Ezekiel J. Emanuel (the Chair of the Department of Bioethics at The Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health) and Dr. Michelle McMurry (a Robert Wood Johnson Health and Society Scholar at UC Berkeley and San Francisco who's work has focused on the intersection of biomedical research funding policies and healthcare disparities and global health inequities.)

I thank the Aspen Institute for bringing me these two experts -- who come to me from their famed Socrates Seminars Series -- conversations led by moderators like these two guests -- who provide compelling conversation in a beautiful Aspen setting amongst interesting professionals from around the globe.

Indeed, I respect the Aspen Institute so much, I'm now creating a regular series on my Sirius show with conversations and topics inspired by Socrates Seminars past and future!

So if you're intrigued about the science versus ethics debate, tune in tomorrow morning, on Sirius at Lime 114, 8am EST to 9am EST - with a replay 8pm EST to 9pm EST.