Valdis Pirsko

Topic

The Consequences of New Biological  Technologies – Ethical Challengies of Human Enhancement

A fundamental principle of research is the responsibility for its scientific activities, including its wider impact. The scientist must take into account public health, safety and well-being. The scientist acknowledges and adequately manages the potential harm and risks associated with his scientific activities. For example, the availability of new technologies and potential hazards: reproductive technologies and cell manipulation — three parents' children (mitochondria replacement therapy), scientists-amateurs or biohakers (do-it-yourself approach), etc.

Given the benefits and risks of new technologies, a number of ethical questions arise: Is it ethically acceptable to use new technologies for human enhancement? Does enhancement/treatment change a person's identity/human nature/value system? What are the social, ethical and economic consequences of allowing humans enhancement? Are we getting better (more moral) humans? Are the new technologies reducing responsibility for their body/action?

Biography

Work

Researcher

Lab. of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Oncology, RSU

April 2015- Present

Clinical pharmacist

Latvian Oncology centre

August 2008- September 2015

Chairman

Farmacijas Akademija, Ltd

September 2012- June 2015

Delegate of Latvian hospital pharmacists

European Association of Hospital Pharmacists

2008- June 2014

Assistant of the President of PSL

Pharmacists' Society of Latvia

August 2012 - January 2013

Education

Rigas Stradins University

Dr. Phil - PhD, Molecular Pharmacology

2016-2019

Rigas Stradins University

pharmacist, pharmacy, clinical pharmacy

2001 - 2006

University of Latvia

Biology, General

1996- 2001