Laurence D. Hurst

Laurence D. Hurst, a Professor of evolutionary genetics at the Milner Centre for Evolution, discusses the fascinating limitations of evolutionary perfection. He reveals why humans are afflicted with genetic disorders and high mutation rates, countering the assumption that evolution leads to optimal adaptations. The conversation dives into how maternal costs and fetal-maternal conflicts impact human health, the role of gene therapy in modern medicine, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding germline editing, emphasizing the importance of embracing our inherent imperfections.