2026 Ethics Workshop: “Science and Fiction”
The Genotoul Societal Platform (Ethics and Biosciences), coordinated by Inserm and the University of Toulouse, organizes an annual interdisciplinary workshop dedicated to ethical reflection on contemporary developments in the life sciences. Bringing together researchers in the biosciences, the humanities and social sciences, as well as members of the public, the workshop aims to encourage critical dialogue on major scientific and societal challenges.
The 2026 edition, entitled Science and Fiction, will examine the relationships between fictional representations, scientific innovation, and societal transformation through three thematic sessions:
- Session 1 – Anticipation, Fiction, and Science
Thursday, March 19, 2026 - Session 2 – The Ethics of the Possible in Biological Innovation
Thursday, April 16, 2026 - Session 3 – Tomorrow, All AI? From Fiction to Scientific Reality
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Through these sessions, the workshop will address the ethical questions raised by contemporary scientific and technological developments, including advances in biology, predictive medicine, artificial intelligence, and the representation of science in fiction.
The series seeks to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, promote collective reflection, and strengthen exchanges between the scientific community and civil society concerning the future trajectories of science and technology.
The scientific coordination of the workshop series is entrusted to Emmanuelle Rial-Sebbag, jurist and Inserm Research Director at CERPOP – UMR 1295 (Inserm – University of Toulouse), who also serves as Scientific Director of the Genotoul Societal Platform (Ethics and Biosciences).
If you missed the 2025 workshop on the theme “Ethics, Science, and Space” organized by the Genotoul Societal Platform, you can watch the videos online: https://www.youtube.com/@GISGENOTOUL