The talk, about the societal implications of life extension, was occasionally difficult—and not just because of the divergent views. The discussion was taking place under the 105-foot dome of what once was the main reading room of Columbia University's Low Library (now an administration building). The cavernous space, designed precisely to quiet stray noise, made conversations across the coffee table difficult.
Moreover, nearly a dozen similar groups were scattered about the floor and adding to the general susurration as they discussed topics such as the alienation of scientists from policy or the need for science literacy in policymaking. The occasion was an unusual conference, Living with the Genie: Governing scientific and technological transformation in the 21st century (www.livingwiththegenie.org). Cosponsored by Columbia's Washington, DC-based Center for Science, Policy & Outcomes (CSPO) and the Funders' Working Group on Emerging Technologies, the March 5-7 meeting was not intended to lead to answers to ...
