WHAT SCIENCE HAS LEARNED ABOUT THE HUMAN CONDITION

The following lecture series is being given this winter by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Cost is $30 per person for all six lectures or $10 per lecture.

January 10 – The Evolving World: Evolution in Everyday Life
This talk will present and discuss the many applications of evolution to our everyday lives. Knowledge of evolution is applied to domestication of wild species for agriculture; in managing our exposure to pathogens to prevent or control epidemics; in promoting human health; in the pursuit of justice within the legal system; and more. This talk seeks to show that understanding and application of evolutionary science has become indispensable in modern societies.

January 17 – What Science Has, and Hasn’t Taught Us About Consciousness
There will be a review of research with healthy individuals, with patients having neurological disorders, and with animals that has helped us understand the physical basis of consciousness. This research answers some questions about our awareness of sensations and thoughts, but leaves others a mystery. The facilitator will speculate on how far we can go toward a complete understanding of consciousness using scientific method.

January 24 – Applications and Implications of DNA Based Discoveries on Human Health and Behaviour: Discoveries, Dilemmas and the Decade Ahead
During the past several decades we have witnessed unprecedented advances in molecular research, biotechnology, and computer science, ushering in a new era of genomic medicine. Scientists are now armed with knowledge about our human DNA sequence, as well as the DNA sequences of several other animals, fungi, viruses, and bacteria. With this knowledge geneticists are identifying DNA alterations important in health and disease, including common complex disorders such as cancer and adult-onset neuropsychiatric conditions. Importantly, they are developing methods to help predict, diagnose, and manage genetically-rooted conditions with the ultimate goal of preventing and combating human disease, from using genetic tests in the clinic to employing advance reproductive technology in the laboratory. Questions arise as we consider what defines disease that merits genetic intervention and who should benefit form the new knowledge and technology.

January 31 – Mental Illness in Relation to Brain Function: Advances in Treatment
Advances are being made in understanding stress, genetics, neurotrophins, brain imaging and anti-depressant responses. The goal is to detect and treat depression earlier, present progress in, counteract stigma, and translate this into primary and specialty care settings where depression is found.

February 7 – The Human Migration Story
There is a curious lack of evolutionary outlook in most of those who say they are studying human evolution. The leader will explain how that came to be and will also summarize the DNA evidence for prehistoric and modern human population relationships. He will then give a picture of the archaeological evidence for human population spreads and what this evidence can tell us about population relationships. Finally, he will show the anatomical evidence and how and why it changes through time, and what it says about population relationships despite apparent differences.

February 14 – How to Create or Undermine Social Support
Research shows that social relationships and social support have important effects on mental health and physical health, including immune system functioning and depression. Less is known about how people can increase the social support available to them. The leader will describe research showing how people’s goals can led to increases or decreases in social support, and the consequences for their relationships, well-being and emotional state.