Mar 25
Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre Moscow, ID
TicketsDr. Jon Oatley
Associate Dean for Research for the College of Veterinary Medicine; Professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences
Children of Men— More and more Children of Men: Global population growth
Program Description
Dr. Jon Oatley, Associate Dean for Research for the College of Veterinary Medicine and a tenured Professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences, introduces the film and the topic of continued global population growth. A net gain of one person on earth occurs every 21 seconds and nearly 50% of pregnancies are unintended globally. At current trajectory, the global population will reach 10 billion in most of our lifetimes; to provide food security for all will require an increase in agricultural output by at least 70%. Innovations in contraceptive development and engineering resiliency of food production systems are key to addressing these societal challenges.
This event is part of our 2025 National Evening of Science on Screen.
Film Synopsis
In 2027, in a chaotic world in which women have become somehow infertile, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea.
It is the year 2027, and it has been 18 years since the last baby was born. Explosions erupt in cafes, surveillance cameras abound, armed guards roam the streets, and illegal immigrants are hauled into teeming refugee camps. Theo (Clive Owen), a jaded employee of the Ministry of Energy, tunes out the chaos that surrounds him, but finds his apolitical stance challenged by the reappearance of his former lover, Julian (Julianne Moore). Now the leader of an underground immigrant rights group, Julian pleads with Theo to help escort a young female refugee (Claire-Hope Ashitey) out of the country. After reluctantly agreeing to lend a hand, Theo discovers that the refugee is harboring a shocking, hopeful secret: she is pregnant. Adapted from the P. D. James novel of the same name, Children of Men was nominated for three Academy Awards.
About the Speaker
Dr. Jon Oatley is the Associate Dean for Research for the College of Veterinary Medicine and a tenured Professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences. Dr. Oatley’s research program focuses on understanding the biology of germ cell development and genome engineering of animals.
His research accomplishments have garnered awards from multiple professional scientific societies, and he is a recognized voice for the application of biotechnology in food animal production. As a principal investigator and director of centers and strategic initiatives at WSU, he has managed large teams of scientists, mentored graduate students and postdocs, and established multiple research service core labs. Beyond academia, Dr. Oatley has worked with the FDA, AAVMC, and APLU in workshops and task forces to help shape policies on gene editing of animals and has served his profession as a member of NIH and USDA study sections as well as an organizer of scientific conferences.