wellcome trust events Science Festival Human Enhancement
Literature Festival Writing Medicine
New writing at 2007 Literature Festival
Perfect Humans Current technology enables us to design a child before it is even conceived and identify imperfections from the womb. John Harris, Professor of Bioethics at the University of Manchester, Rachel Hurst, Director of Disability Awareness in Action and Dr Thomas Stuttaford, The Times Doctor debated the consequences.
Medics From Dr Finlay’s Casebook to ER, portrayal of the medical world has undergone a seismic shift. Ambulanceman Tom Reynolds, author of the award-winning blog Blood Sweat and Tea, joined former doctor Jed Mercurio, creator of Bodies and Cardiac Arrest, and The Times’ Thomas Stuttaford to explore whether fact matches up to fiction.
Transformations Broadcast by Radio 4
Zombie Nation We spend more hours sleeping than anything else and symptoms of deprivation range from irritability to hallucinations. We might soon be able to drug ourselves to stay awake without resorting to caffeine or amphetamines. Sleep expert Russell Foster examined the future of a life without sleep. Gattaca Society: Return of Eugenics in the 21st Century Our ability to manipulate DNA means that we are able to design society in a way that has never before been possible. Geneticist and television presenter, Armand Leroi examined modern bioethics and discussed the potential implications for society. The other two events in this series were entitled Live & Let Die and High School?
The Only Boy in the World Michael Blastland has written powerfully about his son’s autism; he joined Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre and Marti Leimbach, author of Daniel Isn’t Talking, to talk about their own experiences, how autism is reflected on the page and how this relates to the latest medical thinking. In Sickness and in Health How do authors write about illness and recovery? Poet and non-fiction writer Gwyneth Lewis and author Jeremy Thomas have both written powerfully about depression and illness, whilst psychologist Oliver James explores similar issues in his work. They joined Brian Hurwitz to discuss reading, writing and recovery. Ian McEwan & Steven Pinker How does language shape who we are? Booker-winning novelist Ian McEwan and bestselling psychologist Steven Pinker share a fascination for the way language can offer a window into the depths of human nature. They made a rare joint appearance at the Everyman Theatre.
The following authors were commissioned to write a new story on the Festival theme of change which they read at their Festival event. Hari Kunzru Julia Blackburn Jon McGregor Anne Enright Biyi Bandele Winner of the Cheltenham Booker Prize 1932 Each year on the final Saturday of the Literature Festival, Cheltenham hosts a Booker Prize discussion about books that were written before the introduction of the Man Booker Prize. In 2007, the year was 1932 and the books on the Cheltenham short-list were Stella Gibbons’ Cold Comfort Farm; Graham Greene’s Stamboul Train; Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, and Black Mischief by Evelyn Waugh. The panel of judges was Katie Hickman, Ruth Padel, Simon Hoggart and Erica Wagner and the event was chaired by Ion Trewin. Each panelist made representations for one of the books and after a hard-fought debate the winner was Stamboul Train by Graham Greene.
the other two events in this series were entitled Sebastian Faulks & Steve Jones and Seizures: Paul Broks & Erica Wagner
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