Covid and our ancient ancestors

BBC Inside Science

BBC

Technology, Science

4.5 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 8 July 2021

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

A global project looking at the genomes of over 2 million people has found a number of distinct genetic markers which seem to either make Covid infection more likely or the symptoms more severe. Some of these markers are known to be associated with susceptibility to cancer and lung disease. However the researchers say on their own these genetic factors are not determinants of how sick people will become. Underlying health, age and sex and a range of environmental and social factors are likely more important says Andrea Ganna from Finland’s Institute of Molecular Medicine who crunched the numbers. The Royal Society Summer Exhibition has just opened. And this year its an opportunity for more people to get involved than ever before – the event is taking place online. There are a number of workshops and interactive games. We speak to a couple of the participants. Caroline Orr from Teesside University talks about research using supercomputers to make microbes produce a range of biofuels that could replace petrol and diesel, and Tony Peyton from Manchester University tells us how the electromagnetic properties of materials are bring harnessed to improve mine clearance in former war zones. And we go to another exhibition, the Royal College of Art graduate show, and ask the age old question - is it art ? Students Kukbong Kim and Bahareh Saboktakin show us their work with recycled concrete and 3d printing - which looks more like science to us.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before you listen to this BBC podcast, I'd like to introduce myself.
0:03.7	My name's Stevie Middleton and I'm a BBC Commissioner for a load of sport podcasts.
0:08.4	I'm lucky to do that at the BBC because I get to work with a leading journalist, experienced
0:12.2	pundits and the biggest sport stars.
0:14.3	Together we bring you untold stories and fascinating insights straight from the players'
0:18.5	mouths.
0:19.5	But the best thing about doing this at the BBC is our unique access to the sport world.
0:25.0	What that means is that we can bring you podcasts that create a real connection to
0:28.8	dedicated sports fans across the UK.
0:31.2	So if you like this podcast, head over to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more.
0:40.4	Hello and you have downloaded the Inside Science podcast first broadcast on the 8th of July 2021.
0:48.0	Coming up over the next half hour, I've been playing computer games on the BBC's time.
0:53.5	But it's actually science too, and more importantly, you can have a go.
1:00.4	We'll also be looking at the Royal Academy's art exhibition and CP Snow would be pleased.
1:05.7	It seems to be as much science as it is art, but before that, maybe a bit of Covid news.
1:12.3	The government has designated the 19th of July freedom day when all coronavirus restrictions could
1:18.5	be removed. The final decision won't be made until Monday, but against a backdrop of rising
1:24.2	case rates, 122 scientists signed a letter in today's Lancet calling the approach a dangerous
1:30.4	and unethical strategy. Aside from the fears that letting cases rip over the summer might lead to
1:37.3	the emergence of vaccine-resistant variants, it's a strategy that makes a lot of people with
1:42.5	dodgy immune systems feel very nervous indeed. Because this awful disease hits some people
1:49.2	like a freight train while others don't even notice they're infected. What's going on?
	...

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