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