Café Scientifique is a place where anyone can come to explore and debate the latest ideas in science and technology and enjoy a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine at the same time.  The first Café Scientifiques in Britain were held in Leeds in 1998 and the network has expanded to other cities in the UK. It is a forum where mainly non-scientific people meet regularly to hear scientists or writers on science talk about their work and discuss it with the audience. Everyone can participate.

Dr. Tom Shakespeare, one of Britain’s leading bio-ethics scientists currently Director of Outreach for the Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences Research Institute (PEALS), Newcastle, discussed Designer babies: should we play God? at two venues: the British Council café and the trendy bistrot Le Stanze del Tenente, both situated in Bologna.

The papers are full of science fiction scenarios about designer babies and genetically engineered children.  But how much manipulation is going on, and how much may be possible in future?  Is there a consensus that we should use technology to avoid the birth of disabled children?  What about enhancing the traits of our offspring or chosing on non-medical criteria?  Is there anything wrong with eugenics?  Where should we draw the line on reproductive freedom?