[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Poinar_Hendrik.jpg” caption=”Hendrik Poinar, associate professor of anthropology. File photo.”]The race is on to locate genes that cause cancer, autism, and virulent strains of flu with the intent of “turning them off” and erasing them from our biology. Food crops are being genetically altered to create improved varieties, and it's only a matter of time before the same alteration can be performed on animals and people.

Is any of this a good thing?

Hendrik Poinar, an associate professor of anthropology at McMaster University, who made headlines when he began mapping the genome of the woolly mammoth — an animal that died out 10,000 years ago — will lead a discussion on whether mankind should proceed through the gates of Jurassic Park.

What are the scientific ethics? Do we allow bad genes to be “turned off” but draw the line at resurrecting extinct species? Who decides what constitutes a bad gene?

Joining Poinar will be Ross MacPhee, curator, vertebrate zoology/mammalogy division at New York City's American Museum of Natural History and an expert in Pleistocene animals, namely the woolly mammoth. Both Poinar and MacPhee have been actively involved in the woolly mammoth genome.

The discussion, part of the popular MACafe Scientifique, will be held Monday, March 5 at 7 p.m. at the University Club. The lively Cafe invites people from all walks of life to informally discuss, debate and question scientific research. Admission is free.