Sir Walter Bodmer, professor at the University of Oxford, is one of the foremost pioneers in the field of genetics, with over 60 years of groundbreaking contributions.

His work spans cancer research, population genetics, and human genetic diversity, shaping much of what we know about the role of genetics in health and disease today.

On today’s episode, we discuss the role of genes in determining complexcharacteristics like intelligence, the genetics behind ageing and longevity, the potential of gene editing technologies to manipulate human DNA, and the genetic history of the British Isles.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:08 – Discussion begins

00:01:43 - What is genetics and DNA?

00:04:22 - How does inheritance of traits work?

00:06:54 - Are complex traits (i.e intelligence) significantly inherited?

00:09:07 - Discussion around the impact of genes vs environment for complex traits

00:10:07 – Is IQ an accurate measure of intelligence

00:13:10 - Critique of Robert Plomin’s thesis in ‘The Blueprint’

00:14:50 - What is heritability in genetics?

00:17:41- The role of genetics in ageing, longevity and death

00:26:39 - Gene editing and CRISPR

00:29:43 - Critique of Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Programme

00:32:45 - Can we use gene editing to increase traits like height and intelligence?

00:35:16 - Discussion around designer babies

00:40:58 - Predictions on how genetic research will advance in the future

00:42:41 - The genetic history of the British Isles

00:48:05 - Is there a genetic basis for race and ethnicity

00:49:56 - Do genetics show the existence of a native British population?

00:51:53 - The genetic history of migration to the British Isles

00:57:54 - Discussion around DNA tests

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Get access to Aqeel’s blog post discussing this podcast and more: https://substack.com/@thewhitelistpodcast

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This episode is on the following

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5EXzdfK2Fi8y78JeRvsPHv?si=9ea83f21d2714c3d

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-whitelist-podcast/id1788997061

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