meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Science Quickly

Mary Roach on the Science of Swapping Human Parts

Science Quickly

Scientific American

Science

4.31.4K Ratings

🗓️ 24 September 2025

⏱️ 12 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman explores the age-old quest to replace failing human body parts with science writer Mary Roach. From ancient surgery to modern medical marvels, Roach shares insights from her new book Replaceable You, revealing why replicating our original anatomy is still one of medicine’s greatest challenges. Recommended Reading Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy, by Mary Roach. W. W. Norton, 2025 E-mail us at [email protected] if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover! Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter. Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Jeff DelViscio. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check the show. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Why are businesses like HelloVet choosing Apple products and services?

0:05.1

So we started the business two years ago.

0:07.2

We had a few people who were used to PCs and this was their first foray into Macs.

0:12.5

But it's been super smooth getting everyone onto those devices and everyone seems really, really happy.

0:18.0

Find out how Mac can help you run and grow your business at apple.com forward slash

0:23.6

HelloVet.

0:26.9

Hi listeners, I'm Jeff Delvisio, the chief multimedia editor and executive producer here at Scientific

0:31.9

American.

0:32.5

I work every day alongside Rachel and Fonda and the rest of our crew here at Siam to bring you science quickly.

0:39.2

But before we dive into today's episode, I want to share something very personal and important.

0:44.4

I've spent the last 25 years of my life telling stories about science. I've written, filmed,

0:50.1

recorded, and animated the discoveries that shape our world. Whether it's exploring science inside

0:54.9

of biosafety labs or out on ice sheets, I've witnessed the power of science journalism.

1:00.3

But here's the hard truth. Journalism like ours is getting harder to do. Newsrooms are shrinking.

1:06.2

Misinformation is growing and responsible reporting. Real verified reporting, takes time, care, and support.

1:14.1

Subscribing to Scientific American is the best way to keep science journalism alive.

1:19.0

By subscribing to Siam, you're supporting the work we do to bring you science quickly.

1:22.8

Please consider getting a subscription today at Scientificamerican.com slash gets I am slash science quickly.

1:29.9

As Thomas Jefferson once said, if a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization,

1:35.8

it expects what never was, never will be. I know we all want to live free. So let's keep learning

1:42.7

together. For Scientific American Science quickly, I'm Rachel Feltman.

2:05.9

Humans have been trying to replace ailing parts of our bodies for thousands of years,

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Scientific American, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Scientific American and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.