4 December 2025

3:25 PM – 4:10 PM

Salle Proudhon

Andràs Paldi

Andras Paldi is a biochemist and geneticist. He is a researcher and professor at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris. His research focuses on epigenetics and cell differentiation. His current work focuses on the biological role of stochastic fluctuations in gene expression and the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms linked to energy metabolism in the differentiation process of hematopoietic cells.

Who sets the limits of life?

Living beings are very often seen as machines. More than just a metaphor, the living-machine paradigm has profoundly influenced not only our scientific understanding of the living world, but also the approach our civilization has taken to solving practical problems. Although it is generally accepted that this metaphor remains a simplification that does not account for the full richness of the living phenomenon, it continues to serve as a guide, from agriculture and biotechnology to medicine. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that this paradigm is reaching its limits. Unlike a machine, living organisms are characterized by their ability to self-organize, evolve, reproduce, interact with their environment, and exhibit a form of intentionality. An alternative vision now emphasizes living organisms as complex, dynamic, and autonomous systems. It is based on a more integrated understanding of the organization of living organisms and challenges the limitations imposed by the mechanical metaphor. The debate is underway, and it is not only scientific.