Tacoma Student Among 2017 Rhodes Scholars

TACOMA (AP) — A 23-year-old from Tacoma who plans to combine his knowledge of genetics and philosophy to help guide tough ethical decisions as advancing technologies make designing humans possible was among 2017 Rhodes Scholars announced on Sunday.

Anthony W. L. "Wilder" Wohns says the pitfalls of human genetic engineering are many and varied and his studies at Oxford University will prepare him to face those challenges.

Wohns is one of 32 American men and women chosen by the Rhodes Trust who will pursue post-graduate studies at Oxford. This year's recipients were chosen from 882 applicants who were endorsed by 311 colleges and universities.

The scholarships cover all expenses for two or three years of study at the prestigious university in England starting next October. In some instances, the scholarships may allow funding for four years.

Wohns graduated from Harvard University in 2016 where he studied human evolutionary biology and computer science.

He's currently at the University of Cambridge studying for a master of arts in biological anthropology.

As a Rhodes Scholar he'll pursue post-graduate studies at Oxford University in 2017. He plans to obtain a second bachelor's degree in computer science and philosophy.

Wohns and the other American students will join an international group of scholars chosen from 18 jurisdictions around the world. A total of 95 scholars will be selected worldwide this year.

The scholarships are worth about $68,000 per year.

The first class of American Rhodes Scholars entered Oxford in 1904.