[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.70,0:00:20.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So there are lands\Nfew and far between on Earth itself
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.26,0:00:23.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that are hospitable to humans\Nby any measure,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.06,0:00:25.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but survive we have.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.30,0:00:30.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our primitive ancestors, when they found\Ntheir homes and livelihood endangered,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.58,0:00:33.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they dared to make their way\Ninto unfamiliar territories
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.74,0:00:35.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in search of better opportunities.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.26,0:00:38.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And as the descendants of these explorers,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.50,0:00:41.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we have their nomadic blood\Ncoursing through our own veins.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.54,0:00:43.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But at the same time,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.02,0:00:46.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,distracted by our bread and circuses
Dialogue: 0,0:00:46.14,0:00:49.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and embroiled in the wars\Nthat we have waged on each other,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.34,0:00:53.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it seems that we have forgotten\Nthis desire to explore.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.82,0:00:58.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We, as a species, we're evolved uniquely
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.46,0:01:03.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for Earth, on Earth, and by Earth,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.18,0:01:07.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so content are we\Nwith our living conditions
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.34,0:01:10.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we have grown complacent\Nand just too busy
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.78,0:01:12.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to notice that its resources are finite,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.26,0:01:15.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that our Sun's life is also finite.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.90,0:01:19.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While Mars and all the movies\Nmade in its name
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.70,0:01:22.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,have reinvigorated\Nthe ethos for space travel,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.74,0:01:28.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,few of us seem to truly realize\Nthat our species' fragile constitution
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.14,0:01:31.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is woefully unprepared\Nfor long duration journeys into space.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.66,0:01:34.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let us take a trek\Nto your local national forest
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.94,0:01:36.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a quick reality check.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.78,0:01:38.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So just a quick show of hands here:
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.50,0:01:42.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how many of you think you would be able\Nto survive in this lush wilderness
Dialogue: 0,0:01:42.10,0:01:43.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a few days?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.50,0:01:45.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, that's a lot of you.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.82,0:01:47.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How about a few weeks?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.50,0:01:49.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's a decent amount.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.78,0:01:50.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How about a few months?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.10,0:01:53.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's pretty good too.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.62,0:01:56.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, let us imagine\Nthat this local national forest
Dialogue: 0,0:01:56.30,0:01:59.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,experiences an eternal winter.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.56,0:02:05.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Same questions: how many of you think you\Nwould be able to survive for a few days?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.48,0:02:07.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's quite a lot.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.92,0:02:09.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How about a few weeks?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.56,0:02:13.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's still a lot more\Nthan I would be able to.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.20,0:02:17.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So for a fun twist, let us imagine\Nthat the only source of water available
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.92,0:02:21.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is trapped as frozen blocks\Nmiles below the surface.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.88,0:02:25.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Soil nutrients are so minimal\Nthat no vegetation can be found,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.00,0:02:30.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and of course hardly any atmosphere\Nexists to speak of.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.04,0:02:36.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Such examples are only a few\Nof the many challenges we would face
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.20,0:02:38.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on a planet like Mars.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.80,0:02:43.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So how do we steel ourselves for voyages\Nwhose destinations are so far removed
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.00,0:02:45.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from a tropical vacation?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.32,0:02:48.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Will we continuously ship supplies\Nfrom Planet Earth?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.68,0:02:53.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Build space elevators,\Nor impossible miles of transport belts
Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.16,0:02:55.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that tether your planet of choice\Nto our home planet?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.60,0:03:01.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And how do we grow things like food\Nthat grew up on Earth like us?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.48,0:03:05.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.96,0:03:09.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In our species' journey\Nto find a new home under a new sun,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.12,0:03:13.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we are more likely than not\Ngoing to be spending much time
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.00,0:03:15.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the journey itself,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.84,0:03:18.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in space,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.48,0:03:21.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on a ship, a hermetic flying can,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.42,0:03:24.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,possibly for many generations.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.98,0:03:28.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The longest continuous amount of time\Nthat any human has spent in space
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.42,0:03:31.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is in the vicinity of 12 to 14 months.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.30,0:03:34.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,From astronauts' experiences in space,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.66,0:03:38.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we know that spending time\Nin a microgravity environment
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.46,0:03:43.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,means bone loss, muscle atrophy,\Ncardiovascular problems,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.06,0:03:44.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,among many other complications
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.66,0:03:47.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that range for the physiological\Nto the psychological.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.60,0:03:50.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And what about macrogravity,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.04,0:03:52.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or any other variation\Nin gravitational pull
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.56,0:03:54.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the planet that we find ourselves on?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.96,0:03:59.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In short, our cosmic voyages\Nwill be fraught with dangers
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.52,0:04:01.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,both known and unknown.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:02.36,0:04:06.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So far we've been looking to this\Nnew piece of mechanical technology
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.40,0:04:08.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or that great next generation robot
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.68,0:04:12.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as part of a lineup to ensure\Nour species safe passage in space.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.40,0:04:16.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Wonderful as they are,\NI believe the time has come
Dialogue: 0,0:04:16.36,0:04:20.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for us to complement\Nthese bulky electronic giants
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.64,0:04:22.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with what nature has already invented:
Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.12,0:04:25.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the microbe,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.52,0:04:30.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a single-celled organism that is itself\Na self-generating, self-replenishing,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.76,0:04:31.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,living machine.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.86,0:04:35.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It requires fairly little to maintain,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.99,0:04:38.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,offers much flexibility in design
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.02,0:04:42.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and only asks to be carried\Nin a single plastic tube.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.80,0:04:46.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The field of study that has enabled us\Nto utilize the capabilities of the microbe
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.68,0:04:48.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is known as synthetic biology.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.92,0:04:52.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It comes from molecular biology,\Nwhich has given us antibiotics, vaccines
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.96,0:04:56.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and better ways to observe\Nthe physiological nuances
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.28,0:04:57.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the human body.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.82,0:05:01.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Using the tools of synthetic biology,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.22,0:05:04.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we can now edit the genes\Nof nearly any organism,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.18,0:05:06.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,microscopic or not,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.14,0:05:08.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with incredible speed and fidelity.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:10.26,0:05:13.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Given the limitations\Nof our man-made machines,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.18,0:05:17.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,synthetic biology will be a means for us\Nto engineer not only our food,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.18,0:05:19.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our fuel and our environment,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.94,0:05:22.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also ourselves
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.26,0:05:24.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to compensate\Nfor our physical inadequacies
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.90,0:05:27.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to ensure our survival in space.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.50,0:05:29.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To give you an example
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.74,0:05:32.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of how we can use synthetic biology\Nfor space exploration,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.58,0:05:34.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,let us return to the Mars environment.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.66,0:05:40.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Martian soil composition is similar\Nto that of Hawaiian volcanic ash,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.42,0:05:42.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with trace amounts of organic material.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.20,0:05:45.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's say, hypothetically,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.48,0:05:48.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what if martian soil\Ncould actually support plant growth
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.24,0:05:50.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without using Earth-derived nutrients?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.16,0:05:53.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The first question\Nwe should probably ask is,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.28,0:05:55.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how would we make\Nour plants cold-tolerant?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.68,0:05:57.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because, on average,\Nthe temperature on Mars
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.80,0:06:00.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is a very uninviting\Nnegative 60 degrees centigrade.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.80,0:06:03.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The next question we should ask is,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:03.60,0:06:06.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how do we make\Nour plants drought-tolerant?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.08,0:06:08.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Considering that most of the water\Nthat forms as frost
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.92,0:06:11.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,evaporates more quickly\Nthan I can say the word "evaporate."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.92,0:06:15.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, it turns out\Nwe've already done things like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.08,0:06:20.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,By borrowing genes\Nfor anti-freeze protein from fish
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.40,0:06:23.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and genes for drought tolerance\Nfrom other plants like rice
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.60,0:06:26.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then stitching them\Ninto the plants that need them,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:26.32,0:06:29.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we now have plants that can tolerate\Nmost droughts and freezes.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.08,0:06:32.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're known on Earth as GMOs,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.72,0:06:34.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or genetically modified organisms,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.28,0:06:39.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we rely on them to feed\Nall the mouths of human civilization.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.76,0:06:44.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Nature does stuff like this already,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.20,0:06:45.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without our help.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.76,0:06:48.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We have simply found\Nmore precise ways to do it.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.08,0:06:53.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So why would we want to change\Nthe genetic makeup of plants for space?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.72,0:06:58.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, to not do so\Nwould mean needing to engineer
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.32,0:07:01.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,endless acres of land\Non an entirely new planet
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.76,0:07:05.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by releasing trillions of gallons\Nof atmospheric gasses
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.28,0:07:08.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then constructing\Na giant glass dome to contain it all.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.08,0:07:11.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's an unrealistic engineering enterprise
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.16,0:07:14.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that quickly becomes\Na high-cost cargo transport mission.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.84,0:07:17.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of the best ways to ensure
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.32,0:07:20.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we will have the food supplies\Nand the air that we need
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.44,0:07:23.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is to bring with us organisms\Nthat have been engineered
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.56,0:07:26.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to adapt to new and harsh environments.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.36,0:07:31.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In essence, using engineered organisms\Nto help us terraform a planet
Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.36,0:07:33.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,both in the short and long term.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.00,0:07:39.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These organisms can then also\Nbe engineered to make medicine or fuel.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.52,0:07:44.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we can use synthetic biology\Nto bring highly engineered plants with us,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.28,0:07:45.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but what else can we do?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.48,0:07:49.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, I mentioned earlier\Nthat we, as a species,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.36,0:07:51.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were evolved uniquely for planet Earth.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.40,0:07:55.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That fact has not changed much\Nin the last five minutes
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.04,0:07:57.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that you were sitting here\Nand I was standing there.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.08,0:08:01.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so, if we were to dump\Nany of us on Mars right this minute,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.80,0:08:05.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even given ample food, water, air
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.32,0:08:06.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a suit,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.56,0:08:09.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we are likely to experience\Nvery unpleasant health problems
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.96,0:08:13.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from the amount of ionizing radiation\Nthat bombards the surface
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.28,0:08:17.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of planets like Mars that have little\Nor nonexistent atmosphere.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.88,0:08:20.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Unless we plan\Nto stay holed up underground
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.92,0:08:23.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the duration of our stay\Non every new planet,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.08,0:08:26.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we must find better ways\Nof protecting ourselves
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.68,0:08:29.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without needing to resort\Nto wearing a suit of armor
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.36,0:08:31.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that weighs something\Nequal to your own body weight,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.84,0:08:34.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or needing to hide behind a wall of lead.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.84,0:08:38.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So let us appeal\Nto nature for inspiration.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.80,0:08:41.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Among the plethora of life here on Earth,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.92,0:08:44.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there's a subset of organisms\Nknown as extremophiles,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:44.80,0:08:46.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or lovers of extreme living conditions,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.80,0:08:49.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if you'll remember\Nfrom high school biology.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.28,0:08:53.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And among these organisms is a bacterium\Nby the name of Deinococcus radiodurans.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.14,0:09:00.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is known to be able to withstand cold,\Ndehydration, vacuum, acid,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.54,0:09:02.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and, most notably, radiation.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.91,0:09:06.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,While its radiation\Ntolerance mechanisms are known,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.66,0:09:09.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we have yet to adapt\Nthe relevant genes to mammals.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.02,0:09:12.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To do so is not particularly easy.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:12.66,0:09:15.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are many facets\Nthat go into its radiation tolerance,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.50,0:09:17.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's not as simple\Nas transferring one gene.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.46,0:09:21.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But given a little bit of human ingenuity
Dialogue: 0,0:09:21.74,0:09:22.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a little bit of time,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.02,0:09:25.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think to do so is not very hard either.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:26.50,0:09:32.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even if we borrow just a fraction\Nof its ability to tolerate radiation,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.90,0:09:35.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it would be infinitely better\Nthan what we already have,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.94,0:09:37.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is just the melanin in our skin.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.06,0:09:41.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Using the tools of synthetic biology,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:41.10,0:09:44.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we can harness Deinococcus\Nradiodurans' ability
Dialogue: 0,0:09:44.14,0:09:47.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to thrive under otherwise\Nvery lethal doses of radiation.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.26,0:09:51.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As difficult as it is to see,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.42,0:09:54.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,homo sapiens, that is humans,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.70,0:09:57.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,evolves every day,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.02,0:09:59.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and still continues to evolve.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.86,0:10:02.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thousands of years of human evolution
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.66,0:10:05.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has not only given us\Nhumans like Tibetans,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.66,0:10:08.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who can thrive in low-oxygen conditions,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.26,0:10:13.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also Argentinians,\Nwho can ingest and metabolize arsenic,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.22,0:10:16.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the chemical element\Nthat can kill the average human being.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.86,0:10:20.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Every day, the human body evolves\Nby accidental mutations
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.58,0:10:23.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that equally accidentally\Nallow certain humans
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.46,0:10:25.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to persevere in dismal situations.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.66,0:10:28.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, and this is a big but,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:29.98,0:10:34.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,such evolution requires two things\Nthat we may not always have,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.18,0:10:35.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or be able to afford,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:36.62,0:10:38.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they are death and time.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.06,0:10:43.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In our species' struggle\Nto find our place in the universe,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:43.10,0:10:45.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we may not always have the time necessary
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.58,0:10:48.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the natural evolution\Nof extra functions
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.14,0:10:50.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for survival on non-Earth planets.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.36,0:10:56.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're living in what E.O. Wilson\Nhas termed the age of gene circumvention,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.88,0:11:02.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,during which we remedy our genetic defects\Nlike cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.28,0:11:04.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with temporary external supplements.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.96,0:11:07.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But with every passing day,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.52,0:11:10.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we approach the age\Nof volitional evolution,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:10.72,0:11:12.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a time during which we as a species
Dialogue: 0,0:11:12.72,0:11:17.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,will have the capacity to decide\Nfor ourselves our own genetic destiny.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.92,0:11:21.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Augmenting the human body\Nwith new abilities
Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.28,0:11:23.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is no longer a question of how,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.12,0:11:25.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but of when.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.44,0:11:27.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Using synthetic biology
Dialogue: 0,0:11:27.72,0:11:30.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to change the genetic makeup\Nof any living organisms,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:30.84,0:11:32.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially our own,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.08,0:11:34.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is not without its moral\Nand ethical quandaries.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.48,0:11:38.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Will engineering ourselves\Nmake us less human?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:39.16,0:11:41.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then again, what is humanity
Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.44,0:11:43.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but star stuff\Nthat happens to be conscious?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.40,0:11:47.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Where should human genius direct itself?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:48.84,0:11:52.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Surely it is a bit of a waste\Nto sit back and marvel at it.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.00,0:11:55.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How do we use our knowledge
Dialogue: 0,0:11:55.36,0:11:58.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to protect ourselves\Nfrom the external dangers
Dialogue: 0,0:11:58.64,0:12:01.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then protect ourselves from ourselves?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.00,0:12:04.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I pose these questions
Dialogue: 0,0:12:04.44,0:12:06.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not to engender the fear of science
Dialogue: 0,0:12:06.64,0:12:09.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but to bring to light\Nthe many possibilities
Dialogue: 0,0:12:09.04,0:12:12.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that science has afforded\Nand continues to afford us.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.36,0:12:17.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We must coalesce as humans\Nto discuss and embrace the solutions
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.36,0:12:18.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not only with caution
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.24,0:12:21.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also with courage.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.80,0:12:26.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mars is a destination,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.04,0:12:28.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it will not be our last.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.80,0:12:32.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our true final frontier\Nis the line we must cross
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.68,0:12:37.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in deciding what we can and should make\Nof our species' improbable intelligence.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:38.68,0:12:42.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Space is cold, brutal and unforgiving.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.42,0:12:46.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our path to the stars\Nwill be rife with trials
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.86,0:12:49.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that will bring us to question\Nnot only who we are
Dialogue: 0,0:12:49.86,0:12:51.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but where we will be going.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:52.46,0:12:56.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The answers will lie in our choice\Nto use or abandon the technology
Dialogue: 0,0:12:56.06,0:12:58.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we have gleaned from life itself,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.18,0:13:01.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it will define us for the remainder\Nof our term in this universe.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:01.94,0:13:03.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.18,0:13:04.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)