Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this Ayn Rand Institute Podcast episode, Mike Mazza and Samantha Watkins analyze objections to new embryo screening technology.
• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:01 Orchid’s new technology
• 07:19 Moral status of embryos
• 21:14 Genetic tradeoffs
• 28:57 The “Eugenics” smear
• 44:47 Views toward the disabled
• 50:56 Losing our humanity
Resources:
• Ayn Rand’s essay, “The Anti-Industrial Revolution” in The Return of the Primitive [amazon.com/dp/0452011841/?bestFormat=true&k=return%20of%20the%20primitive&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_k0_1_22_de&crid=2GW0VTT2V7MDI&sprefix=return%20of%20the%20primitiv]
• Ayn Rand’s essay, “Of Living Death” in The Voice of Reason [amazon.com/Voice-Reason-Objectivist-Thought-Library/dp/0452010462/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2WEXB5NTZA21F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WIX5k_ftBozPe0Q7I2F-cx6vtHX1DTTUPjCmpYMeNX5pHwtCTrQMXs9xNxva6USIn6FGzlL4sd1o_l-BrpE_7IO5OctD6NE8JduTROefr-83GO2y8d1Dc0dxexHTvlH9nJzc1C3ORDpF0Jbja_BfUg4xIuLO4ijKuvecuPFg-hA7-UDT2HS6T0rZtlbpFv1d2JnFunnIqYqWS9k4Z775uwO1Jz2684MethW20H8d84Q.lair2tlM5OKMXbNsnHfz0HXJrjfiwPM1aS8MMQELI94&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+voice+of+reason&qid=1760040405&sprefix=the+voice+of+reason%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1]
• Ben Bayer’s essay, “The Absurdity at the Heart of the Alabama IVF Controversy” [newideal.aynrand.org/the-absurdity-at-the-heart-of-the-alabama-ivf-controversy/]
• Ben Bayer’s book, “Why the Right to Abortion is Sacrosanct”. [amazon.com/Why-Right-Abortion-Sacrosanct-Bayer/dp/B0DTDQGN2X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HaucwTiJAjthmquSlqcqXQ.pFBOOBu6WyO6EqMo4Lbbh1ZSQXFw2oEX-vS2GkUMo20&qid=1760040334&sr=8-1]
This podcast was recorded on September 17, 2025.
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
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******
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In this Ayn Rand Institute Podcast episode, Mike Mazza and Samantha Watkins analyze objections to new embryo screening technology.
• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:01 Orchid’s new technology
• 07:19 Moral status of embryos
• 21:14 Genetic tradeoffs
• 28:57 The “Eugenics” smear
• 44:47 Views toward the disabled
• 50:56 Losing our humanity
Resources:
• Ayn Rand’s essay, “The Anti-Industrial Revolution” in The Return of the Primitive [amazon.com/dp/0452011841/?bestFormat=true&k=return%20of%20the%20primitive&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_k0_1_22_de&crid=2GW0VTT2V7MDI&sprefix=return%20of%20the%20primitiv]
• Ayn Rand’s essay, “Of Living Death” in The Voice of Reason [amazon.com/Voice-Reason-Objectivist-Thought-Library/dp/0452010462/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2WEXB5NTZA21F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WIX5k_ftBozPe0Q7I2F-cx6vtHX1DTTUPjCmpYMeNX5pHwtCTrQMXs9xNxva6USIn6FGzlL4sd1o_l-BrpE_7IO5OctD6NE8JduTROefr-83GO2y8d1Dc0dxexHTvlH9nJzc1C3ORDpF0Jbja_BfUg4xIuLO4ijKuvecuPFg-hA7-UDT2HS6T0rZtlbpFv1d2JnFunnIqYqWS9k4Z775uwO1Jz2684MethW20H8d84Q.lair2tlM5OKMXbNsnHfz0HXJrjfiwPM1aS8MMQELI94&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+voice+of+reason&qid=1760040405&sprefix=the+voice+of+reason%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1]
• Ben Bayer’s essay, “The Absurdity at the Heart of the Alabama IVF Controversy” [newideal.aynrand.org/the-absurdity-at-the-heart-of-the-alabama-ivf-controversy/]
• Ben Bayer’s book, “Why the Right to Abortion is Sacrosanct”. [amazon.com/Why-Right-Abortion-Sacrosanct-Bayer/dp/B0DTDQGN2X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HaucwTiJAjthmquSlqcqXQ.pFBOOBu6WyO6EqMo4Lbbh1ZSQXFw2oEX-vS2GkUMo20&qid=1760040334&sr=8-1]
This podcast was recorded on September 17, 2025.
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
******
Keep in Touch! Sign up to receive email updates from ARI: aynrand.org/signup
Follow ARI on Twitter: twitter.com/AynRandInst
Follow ARI on Facebook: facebook.com/AynRandInstitute
Follow ARI on Instagram: instagram.com/aynrandorg
Subscribe to the ARI Live! podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ayn-rand-institute-live/id1440399458
******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
