Film screening and discussion: “Make People Better”

IN-PERSON, TICKETED EVENT: “The documentary ***[Make People Better](https://makepeoplebetterfilm.com/)*** explores cutting-edge genetic and biotechnological developments in China, examining the 2018 case of biophysicist **He Jiankui** who created the first genetically edited human babies in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. Exploring the landscape of genetic research, personalized medicine, and ethical considerations, the documentary provides a rare and comprehensive look into China’s role in advancing the frontiers of genomic science.

Film website: [Make People Better – The untold story of the world’s first genetically designed babies. (makepeoplebetterfilm.com)](https://makepeoplebetterfilm.com/)

Film trailer: [MAKE PEOPLE BETTER – Official Trailer (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-u0fXnX4No)

“Join us for a screening, followed by a conversation with **Samira Kiani**, geneticist and *Make People Better* producer, and moderator **Robert J. Howell**, Yasser El-Sayed Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Rice University, on the pivotal role of genetic research in shaping the future of healthcare and its implications for individuals and communities in China, the United States, and beyond.

“This program is part of *Brave New Worlds: Who Decides? Research, Risk and Responsibility*, a conference supported by Rice University’s Scientia/De Lange Conference XIII in collaboration with the Baker Institute for Public Policy. For conference information, visit [delange.rice.edu](https://delange.rice.edu/).”

**Samira Kiani** is a genetic engineer, science communicator and multimedia producer. An artist at heart, her work is dedicated to fostering science that is soulful, self-aware, human-centered and informed by the collective wisdom of society. Kiani is an associate professor of pathology and bioengineering at University of Pittsburgh, where her research is focused on improving the safety of CRISPR gene editing technology for the treatment of disease. She is also the co-founder and acting CEO of GenexGen Inc., a startup dedicated to build innovative approaches to engineer immune tolerance. She started working in the area of genetic engineering in 2010 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and started her own research lab at Arizona State University in 2016.

**Robert J. Howell** is the Yasser El-Sayed Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Rice University. He is the author of numerous articles in the philosophy of mind, metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology, and in recent works, he explores the ethics of technology and artificial intelligence. He is the author of *Consciousness and the Limits of Objectivity* (Oxford, 2013) and *Self-Awareness and the Elusive Subject* (Oxford, 2023).

**TICKETS**: More information and ticket purchases ($10 for non-members): [Film Screening: ‘Make People Better’ and Discussion With Producer Samira Kiani | Asia Society](https://asiasociety.org/texas/events/film-screening-make-people-better-and-discussion-producer-samira-kiani)

**NOTE**: RSVP’ing on this event page DOES NOT mean you are registered for the event itself. You must purchase a ticket (see above).

**PARKING** is available in the Asia Society Texas Center paid lot.