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Science
Friday > Archives > 2002 > June > June 28, 2002:
Hour One: Science
News Roundup: Gene Therapy, Global Warming, Ben Franklin
Lots has been going on in the world of science -- so it's time for a
science news round-up. In this hour of Science Friday, we'll start out
by talking about recent advances in gene therapy. A team of Italian
and Israeli scientists reports this week in the journal Science that
they have successfully treated two boys with an immune deficiency using
a gene therapy technique. We'll find out whether genetic medicine might
be nearing widespread use.
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Then, we'll hear an environmental scientist's thoughts on how
warm may be 'too warm' when it comes to global warming. In a
recent article in the journal Science, Michael Oppenheimer and
Brian O'Neill write that rapid action is needed to ward off
possible sudden effects from climate change. We'll talk about
why they feel immediate action is necessary.
We'll finish the hour with a look back at the scientific achievements
of colonial scientist and statesman Ben Franklin, and celebrate
the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of his famous kite experiment
with attendees at the Citizen
Science Conference in Philadelphia this weekend. (more info
on the conference)
Call in with your comments and questions at 1-800-989-8255,
and share your opinions online in our Listeners'
Lounge (registration
required).
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Benjamin Franklin's experiment with the kite
-- "..when the string was thoroughly wet, abundance of electricity
was procured..." In: "The Thunder-storm" by Charles Thomlinson,
F.R.S., 1877, p. 30. NOAA image, Historic NWS Collection.
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Guests:
Inder Verma
American Cancer Society Professor, Molecular Biology
Co-director, Laboratory
of Genetics
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
La Jolla, California
Michael Oppenheimer
Albert G. Milbank Professor of Geosciences
and International
Affairs
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey
Shawn Carlson
Founder and Executive Director
Society for Amateur Scientists
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
American
Society of Gene Therapy | ASGT
Gene
Therapy
MEDLINEplus:
Genes and Gene Therapy
Fact
Sheet 7.18
Gene
Therapy Reverses Male Infertility In Salk-led Study
The
Scientist - Psst! Gene Therapy Research Lives
Princeton
- News - Preserving options: short-term action required to avoid long-term
climate damage
NY
Times: No Margin for Error
The
World of Benjamin Franklin
The
Bakken - Exhibits
Society
for Amateur Scientists
The
Franklin Institute Online
Citizen
Science Conference in Philadelphia
This segment produced by Karin
Vergoth
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