Anthropologist Alice Roberts joins Brian Cox and Robin Ince to discuss the importance of failure in science, highlighting how mistakes can lead to discoveries. They explore Darwin's theory flaws, the accidental creation of Viagra, and the challenges in drug development for global health. The podcast reflects on past failures in medicine, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the debate on exercise as a health solution.
Failure is considered essential in the scientific field, as it paves the way for discoveries. Scientists like Edison and Darwin faced setbacks before achieving success, highlighting the iterative nature of scientific progress. The podcast discusses how failures and mistakes lead to advancements, emphasizing the role of trial and error in scientific endeavors.
Epigenetics and Challenging Darwin's Theories
The episode delves into epigenetics, a field challenging Darwin's ideas that inherited traits are solely genetic. It explores Lamarck's theory of acquired traits passing on, shedding light on the intricate relationship between genetics and environmental factors. The discussion provokes thoughts on the complexity of inheritance and evolution.
Serendipitous Discoveries in Science
The podcast shares stories of accidental discoveries in science, exemplifying how mistakes can lead to breakthroughs. Instances like sweeteners invented from taste test mishaps and Viagra's origin as a failed heart medication demonstrate the unpredictable nature of scientific progress. These anecdotes highlight the significance of embracing unexpected outcomes in scientific exploration.
Brian Cox and Robin Ince embrace failure in its many forms, with a frank look at the importance of making mistakes. They examine the flaws in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution with the anthropologist Alice Roberts, as she tells them no idea is totally watertight. And sometimes scientific error even leads to important discoveries – just ask the heart patients who took a pill that did nothing for their medical condition but did boost their libido and which we now know as Viagra. But other failures in the field of medicine have had more serious consequences, and Dr Chris van Tulleken questions why we’re not better at drug development for the poorest parts of the world.
New episodes will be released on Wednesdays. If you’re in the UK, listen to the full series on BBC Sounds: bbc.in/3K3JzyF
Producer: Marijke Peters
Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Episodes featured:
Series 15: Science’s Epic Fails
Series 11: Serendipity
Series 25: What Have We Learnt From Covid?
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