ParksatOne - DNA, Determinism and God

This month's topic is DNA, Determinism and God

We used to think that our fate was in the stars. Now we know in large measure that our fate is in our genes. James Dewey Watson

Who am I? Where do I come from? Why am I like I am?

In recent years there have been tremendous claims for a view of human life that leads to a kind of genetic fatalism; that we are as humans no more than the sum of the coding of our DNA. This view that biology is our true destiny some have called the 'deification of DNA.'

There are claims of the discovery of genes that govern our tendencies and behaviours - criminality genes, happiness genes, political dispositions, aggression, eating habits and even a ‘love-cheat’ gene.

We are therefore at the mercy of our DNA? Where does free-will and personal responsibility fit in? And how does the Christian faith with the belief that humans are made in the image of God inform and shape the debate?

We are delighted to welcome our speaker Professor Keith Fox who is Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Southampton and an expert in the field of DNA research who is coming to help us navigate this question.
Do join us if you can for what will be an exceptional talk.

Parks At One will be meeting in the Trinity Centre. Food is available to purchase at the cafe on site or free to bring your own lunch while you listen.