Science Friction
ABC
Science Friction's latest season is: Artificial Evolution. In 1996, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned animal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. What exactly has happened, where are we headed, and are we OK about it?
In this series, environment reporter Peter de Kruijff tells the surprising stories of genetic engineering. Meet the scientists changing the food we eat and creating animals with organs we can use. Hear about the criminal conspiracy to clone a giant sheep, and the teams bringing extinct animals back from the dead.
Artificial Evolution traces the influence of genetic technology from Dolly into the future. It’s the latest series of Science Friction, an award-winning podcast from ABC Radio National.
Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.
Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.
AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.
In this series, environment reporter Peter de Kruijff tells the surprising stories of genetic engineering. Meet the scientists changing the food we eat and creating animals with organs we can use. Hear about the criminal conspiracy to clone a giant sheep, and the teams bringing extinct animals back from the dead.
Artificial Evolution traces the influence of genetic technology from Dolly into the future. It’s the latest series of Science Friction, an award-winning podcast from ABC Radio National.
Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.
Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.
AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 15, 2021 • 26min
Hunting the ghosts of pandemics past
Two baby teeth and a whole world of secrets. Meet the DNA detectives hunting for the ghosts of pandemics past.
Aug 8, 2021 • 26min
When fish are kin: Max Liboiron's anti-colonial science
In the windy, wet, wild world of the subarctic, science is done differently.
Aug 1, 2021 • 32min
The long COVID doctors (Part 2 of 2)
Don't mess with this virus. Extraordinary stories from the 3 UK doctors we first met a year ago, all living with 'long COVID'
Jul 25, 2021 • 35min
The long COVID doctors (Part 1 of 2)
Three UK doctors share their moving, eviscerating personal experiences of 'long COVID' [REPEAT]. And next episode, how are they nearly a year on as England opens up? [NEW]
Jul 18, 2021 • 26min
The art and science of Deep Time travel
Deep in the dirt are stories that need to be told ... by artists, scientists... and those damn (wonderful) ants.
Jul 11, 2021 • 26min
Pain-free meat — is it possible?
Ouch, that hurts. But who will listen? Down on the farm, understanding the biology of pain could make a real difference.
Jul 4, 2021 • 26min
Medicine listen up! Birthing on country makes the land shake
Yolgnu women want to make the the land shake again. Why?
Jun 27, 2021 • 26min
The second kind of impossible: Part 2 — the wild adventure
Lace up your boots. Get down and dirty. We're hunting the impossible.
Jun 20, 2021 • 26min
The second kind of impossible: Part 1 — a maverick mind
Nature's rules are made to be broken. Paul Steinhardt just had to find a way.
Jun 13, 2021 • 26min
14-day rule on human embryo research – why do scientists want it lifted?
Research on human embryos has been very constrained. Will that change?
