Short Wave

The Dubious Consent Question At The Heart Of The Human Genome Project


Listen Later

The Human Genome Project was a massive undertaking that took more than a decade and billions of dollars to complete. For it, scientists collected DNA samples from anonymous volunteers who were told the final project would be a mosaic of DNA. Instead, over two-thirds of the DNA comes from one person: RP11. No one ever told him. Science journalist Ashley Smart talks to host Emily Kwong about his recent investigation into the decision to make RP11 the major donor — and why unearthing this history matters to genetics today.

Read Ashley's full article in Undark Magazine here.

Questions or ideas for future episodes? Email us at [email protected].

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Short WaveBy NPR

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

6,017 ratings


More shows like Short Wave

View all
Science Friday by Science Friday and WNYC Studios

Science Friday

6,123 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,946 Listeners

This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,886 Listeners

Planet Money by NPR

Planet Money

30,830 Listeners

Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio

32,260 Listeners

TED Radio Hour by NPR

TED Radio Hour

22,063 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,465 Listeners

Science Vs by Spotify Studios

Science Vs

12,088 Listeners

The NPR Politics Podcast by NPR

The NPR Politics Podcast

25,856 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,207 Listeners

The Indicator from Planet Money by NPR

The Indicator from Planet Money

9,555 Listeners

Throughline by NPR

Throughline

16,020 Listeners

Life Kit by NPR

Life Kit

4,299 Listeners

Consider This from NPR by NPR

Consider This from NPR

6,062 Listeners

Unexplainable by Vox

Unexplainable

2,205 Listeners