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'Research Revolution' discussion series looks at serious questions BOWLING GREEN, O. -- Who should be allowed to access our personal genetic information? Should anyone be allowed to develop
nuclear weapons? Those are among the questions to be discussed during a free, six-part viewing, reading and discussion series
at Bowling Green State University called "Research Revolution: Science and the Shaping of Modern Life."
The Frank C. Ogg Science and Health Library at Bowling Green State University is one of 50 pilot libraries selected nationwide
to host and participate in the series. Organized by National Video Resources in partnership with the American Library Association
Public Programs Office, the project is funded by the National Science Foundation and, locally, by Friends of the University
Libraries at BGSU.
"Research Revolution" aims to increase the public's understanding of scientific discovery and technological transformation
in the 20th century. All programs will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings beginning March 19 in the Pallister
Conference Room in William T. Jerome Library on the Bowling Green campus. Pre-registration is suggested but not required.
The series will enable community members to use in-depth information from video documentaries and the expertise of one of
the University's top local scholars to consider the effects of scientific discovery on individuals and society. The premise
is that the best decisions on these issues will be made when we have the broadest and most-informed participation.
The first program on March 19 will focus on the ethics and morals of the development of nuclear weapons.
Other topics to be discussed and their dates include:
* March 26: Human robotics and what it means to be human in light of the ability to replace many parts of the human body,
clone living organisms and manipulate life in so many ways.
* April 2: Who should be able to access and use our personal genetic information?
* April 9: How and when should DNA fingerprinting be used, when should it be considered valid evidence and how powerful is
this evidence?
* April 16: Global warming-is this a problem and what should we do about it?
* April 23: Biodiversity-How far should we go to try to prevent the extinction of plants and animals due to human activity?
Dr. Robert Midden, an associate professor of chemistry, will lead a discussion of each session's award-winning documentary.
Midden was a biomedical research scientist on the faculty of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., from 1980-87. He
came to BGSU to join the new Center for Photochemical Sciences in 1987 and now directs a $4.2 million project to improve teacher
quality in high-poverty urban schools. Midden has been active in promoting public participation in decision-making in scientific
and technological issues through his teaching for several years.
For more details or to register, contact Robin Sinn at 419-372-9239, rsinn@bgnet.bgsu.edu or visit http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/ogg/researchrevolution.html.
(Posted March 17, 2003 )
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