WELCOME TO SCIENCE WEEK AT THE CATHEDRAL 2014
THEME: ‘GENETICS – THE LANGUAGE OF GOD?’
The theme immediately provokes other questions, for example:
. In what sense is genetics a ‘language’?
. Is it more obviously a language for life rather than a language of God?
Could it be both or must we choose between genetics and God?
. How could genetics be a language of God? For example if there is no
God. If it is, is it the only ‘language’ God uses?
. Is genetics the answer to the question,
‘What is it that makes us what we are?’ ?
There will be a Q/A on this theme for years 11, 12 students before an expert panel
10.30 -11.45am, Wednesday 20th August, in the Cathedral.
We look forward to hearing your questions at the Q/A.
SOME RESOURCES
We have prepared a set of notes on the various issues to do with the idea
of ‘Genes as Language’, see, http://evolvingthoughts.net/2014/06/genes-thelanguage-of-god-0-preface/ .
More notes will be added over the next few weeks. The notes are
prepared by Dr John Wilkins, a historian and philosopher of science,
especially evolutionary biology, with four books published:
. Species: A History of the Idea (University of California Press 2009)
. Defining species: a sourcebook from antiquity to today (Peter Lang 2009)
. Intelligent design and religion as a natural phenomenon (Ashgate 2010)
. The Nature of Classification: Kinds and relationships in the natural sciences,
with Malte C. Ebach (Palgrave Macmillan 2013)
We also list below a number of clips from You Tube and other sites,
relevant to our theme.

Centre for Theology and Natural Science (CTNS) links
http://www.ctns.org/pub_articles.html
Choose ‘genetics’ items including ‘genome, nanotechnology and robotics’
and also ‘perspectives on evolution’ for a very wide range of view about
evolution.

TED
http://www.ted.com/search?q=Genetics+ for many interesting videos on
genetics; we especially recommend,
Juan Enriquez: Will our kids be a different species?;
http://www.ted.com/talks/gregory_stock_to_upgrade_is_human;
http://www.ted.com/talks/dean_ornish_says_your_genes_are_not_your_fate ;
http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_root_wolpe_it_s_time_to_question_bio_engineering

ISCAST -Christians in Science and Technology
http://www.iscast.org/video_batterham_science_and_faith
Dr.Phil Batterham, Professor of Genetics at The University of Melbourne

YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2GY9AHqeKM
Several clips of Prof. Richard Dawkins arguing that evolution and God
as creator are mutually exclusive ideas.
Also of interest is the public lecture on
‘Genetics – The Language of God?’
by
Dr. Phil Batterham, Professor of Genetics at
The University of Melbourne,
6.15pm, Thursday 21st August, at the Cathedral
TO CONCLUDE SCIENCE WEEK
FAMILY SERVICE 2.00pm Sunday 24th AUGUST IN THE CATHEDRAL
The team organising Science Week at The Cathedral
. Associate Professor Lachlan Thompson, RMIT University,
. Ms. Anne Brumfritt, IB Educator, Science Educator,
. Professor (emeritus) John Pilbrow, Monash University
. Rev Dr Stephen Ames, The University of Melbourne
Contact: sames@unimelb.edu.au