Gene therapy has been used to treat many previously incurable conditions, like correcting deadly genetic disorders or giving children born with hearing loss the ability to hear. The field has massive potential, but there are still many economic, regulatory, and scientific hurdles to overcome to adequately address a variety of both rare and more common conditions. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with gene editing researcher David Liu and ear, nose, and throat surgeon Eliot Shearer about how gene therapy can help treat diseases that were previously considered too rare to research.

The healing power of gene therapy

Different forms of adversity – like abuse, violence, and neglect – not only damage our physical and mental health but also change our cells. Scientific advances in the biology of adversity are showing us that in some cases, the harms of negative experiences run dangerously deep in our bodies and minds. In this episode, host Samantha Laine Perfas talks with children’s psychologist Kate McLaughlin, psychiatric epidemiologist Karestan Koenen, and cellular biologist Jason Buenrostro about what the future holds for protecting people from their worst experiences.

The things we carry

Join us in welcoming “Harvard Thinking,” a new podcast where the life of the mind meets everyday life.

Introducing “Harvard Thinking”

A podcast where the life of the mind meets everyday life. Hosted by Samantha Laine Perfas, produced by Harvard University. Visit harvard.edu/thinking.

Share Harvard Thinking

Sign up to save your podcasts

Harvard Thinking

Harvard Thinking episodes

About Harvard Thinking

More shows like Harvard Thinking

This American Life

TED Radio Hour

Fresh Air

Planet Money

Hidden Brain

TED Talks Daily

Global News Podcast

HBR IdeaCast

Code Switch

The Daily

Life Kit

Coaching Real Leaders

The Ezra Klein Show

HBR On Leadership

The Opinions