Shobita Parthasarathy

Marion Koopmans, a renowned virologist instrumental in the development of the COVID-19 PCR test, discusses the urgent need for a sustainable flu surveillance network in Europe to learn from U.S. models. Matthew Cobb, an author and scientist, reflects on the Asilomar conference's legacy in shaping genetic engineering guidelines, while Shobita Parthasarathy raises ethical concerns about equity in scientific self-regulation. The conversation highlights the importance of public trust and inclusive dialogue as science grapples with emerging viral threats.

Shobita Parthasarathy, a researcher in science and policy, and Mayana Zatz, a geneticist from São Paulo, delve into the intricate dance between politics and scientific research. They discuss how political decisions directly impact funding for research, revealing alarming threats to science in Brazil. The conversation also covers the chilling effects of policies like the Dickey Amendment on gun violence studies. Together, they highlight systemic inequities within the scientific community, stressing the importance of diverse perspectives in fostering objective inquiry.

Shobita Parthasarathy, professor at the University of Michigan, discusses how to achieve equity and justice in society through innovation. Topics explored include the disparity in life expectancy, biases in technological design, reshaping the innovation system for equity, and the moral dimensions of innovation.