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LESS REMOTE: The Futures of Space Exploration: an Arts & Humanities Symposium

Invited lecture in Sept:LESS REMOTEThe Futures of Space Exploration: an Arts & Humanities Symposium

30 September - 1 October 2008 2008 International Astronautical Congress, SEC, Glasgow, Scotland

Abstract Submission Deadline: 11 March 2008 (approx. 300 words and short bio)

For further information, please go to: http://www.lessremote.org

or contact: Flis Holland E-mail: info@lessremote.org +44 (0)114 242 3244

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LESS REMOTE The Futures of Space Exploration: an Arts & Humanities Symposium

An international symposium to run parallel to the 2008 International Astronautical Congress (IAC).

This symposium will offer a forum in which specialists from many disciplines will be invited to consider the future of space exploration in the context of our current understanding of social, economic and technological imperatives. One of the aims of the symposium is to foster a dialogue and exchange between the cultural and space communities.

Speakers from the arts & humanities and space science & engineering communities will present keynote lectures on space exploration and its possible futures. Papers are also invited from the broad constituency of interest among artists, cultural analysts and historians that has examined the wider implications of the scientific exploration of space for the better part of a century.

(For more information on the 2008 IAC, please visit www.iac2008.co.uk)

Practitioners, scholars and postgraduates in any relevant discipline are invited to submit abstracts that explore the following strands:

Cultures and Space Highlighting the multiplicity of cosmologies that currently hold sway in the world, and considering the consequences of a tacit consensus on the range of opportunities for future space exploration.

The Introspective Urge Focusing on humankind’s image of itself as a determinant of space technology, and the impact of a changing self-image – for example as a consequence of ubiquitous global communications - on future space science.

Leaving a Trace Technical and ethical debate on the impact we have already had on the local solar system, and how our views will affect the possible future of space science and engineering.

Living Space Consideration of the continuity between the needs of humans on earth and the possible demands of spacefarers in remote and often hostile environments.

Organised by Flis Holland and The Arts Catalyst, in association with Leonardo, OLATS and the University of Plymouth. Co-sponsored by IAA Commission VI.

Advisory Committee: Flis Holland (Chair), Nicola Triscott & Rob La Frenais (The Arts Catalyst), Annick Bureaud (Leonardo / OLATS), Stephen Dick (IAA Commission VI), Roger Malina (IAA Commission VI), Michael Punt (Leonardo), Sundar Sarukkai (Centre for Philosophy, Indian National Institute of Advanced Studies)

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

An abstract (300 words max) and a short bio (200 words max) must be submitted by 11 March 2008, via email to abstracts@lessremote.org

A poster session will also take place during the symposium. Please indicate on your application if a poster presentation is acceptable.

Submissions accepted and presented at the conference will be published in the IAC conference proceedings.

Ethical Futures

The RSA event last week was a whirlwind through so many different technologcical futures that tying everything together was quite a challenge. We roved from Web 2.0 to artificially intelligent robot soldiers in a matter of hours.

Human Futures @ FACT

It's perplexing how i can be invited all over the world to speak about this subject and, on my own doorstep, not a peep. There's a moral here somewhere, and it's a good one. Anyway, visit Human Futures @ FACT, then get down to London next week for Ethical Futures @ RSA where I am speaking to the title 'Justifying Human Enhancement: The Accumulation of Biocultural Capital [straight after which I'm taking a motorcycle taxi to make my train. life is complicated]

Theory, Culture & Society, Japan

The TCS conference is just about to begin its final plenary, which includes an author of personal interest to me, N. Katherine Hayles. Her book, Becoming Posthuman, has been a central reference point for my own ideas on posthumanism over the last few years. It's also relevant for my forthcoming, co-authored book 'The Medicalization of Cyberspace'. This is my first TCS conference and it's been a rich mix of ideas and presentations. It's also a good excuse to visit Tokyo for the first time, where we've already had a typhoon and an earthquake!

Our Sporting Future (21-23 March, 2007)

Next month, I jet across to Brisbane to give a keynote by the title:  New Media Futures: The Challenge from Posthumanity.

The emerging technologies of new media are changing the way people work, enjoy leisure and communicate. This paper will explore the challenge raised from the convergence of technology platforms and scope the scene for what lies ahead for sports involvement. The paper identifies two crucial trends in development, the process towards ‘immersion’ (bringing audiences closer to the arena) and ‘abstraction’ (bringing athletes closer to simulated arenas) and discusses the collapse of bodies and technology as distinct categories, which raises prospects of the posthuman performer in competition. The discussion considers what tomorrow’s people will expect from the mediatisation of sports and explores some of the implications this has for the organisation of society and the role of technology within it. While dominant cultural narratives portray such futures as inhuman or dehuman, I argue that these transformations offer rich variation to contemporary life by appealing to imaginative ways of communication and embodiment.

I will also take part in a debate about the role of science in the contribution of winning medals.  It looks to be an exciting event and it's nearly 7 years since I've been to Australia. I just wish I was there for longer!

The Hastings Center (6-7 December, 2006)

Project meeting where I spoke about the ethics of genetic testing and selecting for enhancement. This work develops ideas that have arisen from a number of recent projects, including the paper I wrote with Emma Rich and my Master degree dissertation in Medical Law. The title of this presentation was 'Is Genetic Selection for Sport a Good idea?'

A link to the presentation powerpoint.

Centre for Olympic Studies and Research, Loughborough University (1 Dec, 2006)

Research seminar for the Center for Olympic Studies Research: 'Human Enhancement Technologies and the Bio-Politico-Ethics of Sport'

Over the last 5 years, the world has encountered considerable developments in human enhancement technologies. Yet, beyond their techical successes and failures, stem-cells, genetics, nanotech, and information technologies have all featured in the everyday sociologies of the future that abound within media and scholarly texts. The world of sport has encountered a wide range of these applications and the positioning of sports medicine in relation to experimental medical technologies invites rich and complex speculations on the development of performance in elite sport. In this paper, I discuss the role of bio(ethics) in cultural studies and its bearing on the human enhancement debate by drawing on Zylinska (2005). Within the UK, the most recent instantiation of this debate is through the public inquiry into Human Enhancement Technologies in Sport (Science and Technology Select Committee, 2006), the first evidence session of which heard from former 100m Olympic chamption Linford Christie. I discuss the political positioning of sports insitutions in relation to these technologies and how they reflect a broader bio-politico-ethical stance against human enhancement (Garnier, 2006; WADA, 2006).  Moreover, I suggest that this positioning is broadly indicative of a fundamental tension within the world of medicine over its legitimate role, and the ends of a commercial model for  human modification. These circumstances limit the possibility of open debate about the relevance and merit of anti-doping programmes and weaken the credibility of sport's judicial ethos, the latter of which is highlighted by responses from athletes to Linford Christie's involvement with the public inquiry. Finally, I conclude that these characteristics of sport's political economy inhibit nations from developing technoprogressive approaches to the human enhancement debate. References

Garnier, A. (2006). An Open Letter to Those Promoting Medical Supervision of Doping. Lausanne, Switzerland, World Anti-Doping Agency.

Science and Technology Select Committee (2006, March 1). New Inquiry: Human Enhancement Technologies in Sport. Select Committee for Science and Technology, British Government.

World Anti-Doping Agency (2005). The Stockholm Declaration [on Gene Doping], World Anti-Doping Agency.

Zylinska, J. (2005). The Ethics of Cultural Studies. London, Continuum.

Beijing Olympic Narratives and Counter Narratives

Last weekend, Beatriz and I were in Philadelphia, having been invited to contribute to the second meeting of the project developed by Monroe Price and Daniel Dayan exploring the Beijing Olympics. This was another excellent meeting with some great presentations and discussions. It was also my first time in Philadelphia and I really warmed to the place. We were located in the city centre on Chestnut Street, which is a great location, especially for shopping and cultural activity.

In the meeting, our contribution was to discuss the role of new and alternative media platforms at an Olympic Games, which develops our research from the last four Olympics. Beijing looks like an exciting and intriguing case study in this respect.

British Council Cafe Scientifique (20 November, 2006)

Yesterday, I spoke for the British Council Cafe Scientifique which used a video conference system to link up with Jordan and Palestine. The focus of our conversations was human enhancement technologies in sport and we had extensive discussions about how to deal with the problem of doping. Students, teachers and journalists took part in the debate and linking up with two different places was quite straightforward. Clips of the discussion should be posted on the BC website shortly.

Royal College of Art (October, 2006)

Last week, I went down to the RCA to give a talk I titled 'Posthuman Designs'. The programme on Design Interactions led by Anthony Dunne is just fascinating, engaging students with ways of imagining the future as a mechanism through which to promote public engagement about technology. Some of the work taking place there is superb and with everyone squeezed into a seminar room earnestly taking notes and thinking about how to transform concepts into artefacts, it's a really inspiring place. I hope to be down there again soon.

University of Glasgow, Physiological Society (4 October, 2006)

Last week, I gave a presentation at the invitation of Dr Yannis Pitsiladis, whom I have got to know quite well over the last few years. It was a pleasure to come and give another lecture to science students in GU. I've given so many classes here in the Postgrad school,I was left feeling a little nostalgic! Title of paper: Posthuman Enhancement Technologies in Sport

International Performance in Sport Conference (Newcastle, 26 Sept, 2006)

I've already written a few things about this meeting. It was great to see a number of friends again at this meeting and it was particularly interesting to hear concerns from within the medical community over the conflict of interests they face when treating athletes. My paper was titled 'Gene Doping: The Politics and Ethics of Enhancement'

International Conference on Sport Technology and Development (Shah Alam, Malyasia, Sept 2006)

Andy Miah in Shah AlamThis was a wonderful meeting where I had a chance to taste a little of the Malaysian lifestyle. It was a bit of a flying visit, but thoroughly worthwhile. The conference was the first major conference of this department, which is very well positioned withiin the university (of over 100,000 students!).

Conference website available online. My paper was titled Posthuman Sport

Global Olympiad, Chinese Media (Beijing, 28-29 July, 2006)

This was an excellent meeting, which is devloping into a book publication. Beatriz Garcia and I were brought in to this collaboration between the Communication University of China and the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania by Professor Tian (Tina) Zhihui, star blogger and expert on all that is the Web. At this meeting, Beatriz and I gave a paper titled 'The New Media at the Olympics: Citizen Journalists and the Non-Accredited Media'.

Genotyping in sport (London, 29 Sept, 2006)

Last friday, I chaired a meeting at UK Sport on the following topic. Much more to follow on this one.... Genetic Technology and Sport: Focus on Genotyping, Genetic Tests and Selection

Date: 29 September, 2006. Time: 1330-1530 Host and Location: UK Sport, 40 Bernard Street, London, WC1N 1ST Travel Advice: Subway: opposite Russell Square Tube Station (Piccadilly Line); Bus: numbers 10, 30, 68, 73, 91, 168 to Euston Station and a 10 min Walk; car: Contact UK Sport in advance to arrange car parking facilities: tel: 0207 7211 5100. Map of Location: see final page of this document (Appendix III).

Participants Dr Peter Fricker (Australian Institute of Sport) Dr Wendy Hiscox (London) Ms Alison Holloway (UK Sport) Professor Barrie Houlihan (Loughborough) Dr Andy Miah (Paisley) Dr Yannis Pitsiladis (Glasgow) Dr Emma Rich (Loughborough) Professor Julian Savulescu (Oxford) John Scott (Director of International Programs, UK Sport) Dr Alun Williams (Manchester Metropolitan)

Agenda

1330-1345 Introduction & Background Dr Andy Miah

1345-1410 The Science of Genetic Tests for Performance Dr Alun Williamson

Respondent Dr Yannis Pitsiladis

1415-1440 The Australian Perspective Dr Peter Fricker

1440-1530 General Discussion: Ethics, Law, Policy Chair, Professor Julian Savulescu

Key Questions

• What are genetic tests for performance and how do they work? (Science) • What are the ethical implications of such tests, both in the administration of them and their effect on the ethics of sport? (Medical and Research Ethics; Sport Ethics) • What is the legal status of these tests and how would regulation function in the context of international sport? (International Medical and Sport Law/Policy) • Should genetic tests for performance be used as part of the talent identification/selection process in elite sport? (General Moral Philosophical)

Brief

Dear Colleague,

We are delighted that you can attend the meeting organised at UK Sport on 29 September on genotyping, genetic tests and selection. During this meeting, we will hear from Dr Peter Fricker at the Australian Institute of Sport about the work that has taken place in Australia in relation to this subject. Since around 2001, Australia has made considerable investments into studies that aim to identify ‘performance genes’ and it has spent extensive time discussing the legal and ethical implications of such research and the use of genetic information more broadly (Australian Law Reforms Commission, 2003).

This work provides the context for our conversations, which have become all the more pertinent given two important developments. First, WADA’s second landmark meeting on Gene Doping concluded with a specific statement about the appropriateness of identifying performance genes and using them within the talent selection process (see Appendix I). Second, the first commercial genetic test for performance had already been introduced to various countries (see Appendix II).

This brief meeting will discuss the ethics and policy implications of legislation surrounding the use of genetic tests for enhanced health characteristics. The majority of attention on genetic tests in the UK has been limited to prenatal or pre-implantation testing, where the Human Genetics Commission explains the opportunities and dangers arising from the widespread use of such tests. The HGC and other organisations are generally dismissive of the need to consider selection for ‘enhancement’ purposes. Yet, it is unclear whether or how regulation will extend to postnatal testing for enhanced health. Our intention is to establish some conclusions and recommendations to inform this emerging debate.

This symposium is organised by invitation only and is hosted by UK Sport. We regret that we are unable to fund travel expenses or speakers’ fees for this one-off meeting, but anticipate that this might be the first of a series of meetings on this topic.

Please find attached 2 documents, which we would ask you to read before the meeting to avoid time spent on background details. Given the limited time we will have, participants are asked to consider, in advance, how their expertise in ethics, law, policy or science can inform the debate about the use of genetic information in sport.

Yours Sincerely,

Dr Andy Miah Professor Julian Savulescu University of Paisley, UK University of Oxford, UK e: email@andymiah.net e: julian.savulescu@philosophy.oxford.ac.uk t: +44 (0)7891 850497 t: +44 (0) 1865 286888

Bibliography

This list of references encompasses references to other major works in the area of genetic tests for performance characteristics.

Australia Law Reforms Commission (2003). Alrc 96: Essentially Yours.

Houlihan, B. M. J. (2004). "Civil Rights, Doping Control and the World Anti-Doping Code." Sport in Society 7(3): 420-437.

Human Genetics Commission (2006). Making Babies: Reproductive Decisions and Genetic Technologies.

Miah, A. and E. Rich (2006). "Genetic Tests for Ability? Talent Identification and the Value of an Open Future." Sport, Education & Society 11(3): 259-273.

O'Leary, J., Ed. (2001). Drugs and Doping in Sport: Socio-Legal Perspectives. London, Cavendish Publishing Limited.

Pitsiladis, Y. and R. Scott (2005). "The Makings of the Perfect Athlete." The Lancet: Special Supplement on Sport and Medicine 366: S16-S17.

Savulescu, J. and B. Foddy (2005). "Comment: Genetic Test Available for Sports Performance." British Journal of Sports Medicine 39: 472.

Spriggs, M. (2004). "Compulsory Brain Scans and Genetic Tests for Boxers - or Should Boxing Be Banned?" Journal of Medical Ethics 30: 515-516.