Michael Specter

In this discussion, Michael Specter, a renowned science writer for The New Yorker and MIT professor, dives into the transformative potential of mRNA vaccines and synthetic biology. He argues that this revolution rivals the impact of electricity on society. They explore groundbreaking innovations like heritable vaccines for endangered species and reflect on the public health lessons from the 1947 smallpox outbreak in New York. The conversation balances excitement for scientific advances with a cautionary perspective on the risks of rapid biotechnological progress.

Tim Harford chats with Michael Specter, an award-winning New Yorker writer focused on science and public health. They delve into the chilling possibility of extremist groups weaponizing biologically engineered viruses like COVID-19. Specter highlights historical precedents, including the 1990 Tokyo subway gas attack, and discusses the balance between scientific advances and public safety. Key topics include the ethics of synthetic biology, the need for stringent regulations, and the public’s growing involvement in scientific discourse post-pandemic.