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THE DNA REVOLUTION
To The Best of Our Knowledge
from Wisconsin Public Radio
Fifty Years ago James Watson and Francis Crick made
history when they cracked the code for DNA. Watson was only 24 years
old, and by no means the smartest scientist around. So why do some
scientists make great discoveries? In this hour of To the Best
of Our Knowledge, James Watson talks about scientific breakthroughs.
Also, the dark side of DNA: bioengineering and the future of war.
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This week, TTBOOK, in collaboration with
 magazine,
celebrates the 50th anniversary of the DNA revolution. We'll
interview James Watson, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA,
Raymond Zilinskas on bioengineering in modern warfare, and much
more. |
SEGMENT 1:
Raymond Zilinskas directs the Chemical and
Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program at the Monterey Institute
of International Studies. He was a UN weapons inspector in Iraq.
Zilinskas tells Jim Fleming that a biological weapon is live organism
while a chemical weapon uses an inert substance. He says the best
response is a good public health system. Also, James Watson,
one of the discoverers of DNA's double-helix structure, talks
with Steve Paulson about making the discovery and what sort of
environment produces scientific breakthroughs. Watson's new memoir
is called "Genes, Girls and Gamow."
SEGMENT 2:
Anne Strainchamps reports on the current spate of
Christian thrillers which involve cloning Christ. We hear from
James BeauSeigneur, author of "In His Image: Book
One of the CloneChrist Trilogy," J.R. Lankford, author
of "The Jesus Thief," and Peter Senese, author
(with Robert Geis) of "Cloning Christ." Also Walter
Simson is CEO of Infigen - a biotech company that uses nuclear
transfer to create cloned pigs and cows. He tells Steve Paulson
their goal is to use the cloned animals to help produce more affordable
drugs for small populations of desperately ill patients.
SEGMENT 3:
Ever wonder how Martha Stewart does it? I mean,
she's everywhere! Doug Gordon looked into it and discovered
her secret: she's cloned herself! Also, Joe Davis, Adam Zaretsky
and Oron Catts make bioart - art objects that include
living tissue or organisms. They tell Steve Paulson about their
work, and say they want to prompt discussion of the questions
such technology raises.
Cassette copies are available
at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 03-03-02-B.
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Books:
- James D. Watson, Genes, Girls and Gamow
(Knopf)
- James BeauSeigneur, In His Image:
Book One of the CloneChrist Trilogy (Warner)
- J.R. Lankford, The Jesus Thief (Great
Reads Books)
- Peter Senese (with Robert Geis), Cloning
Christ (Orion)
Music:
Distribution dates:
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Questions and comments can
be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org
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