Past Programs
Health - 2008
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995
Hendra and the bats
31/08/2008
Bats carry many of the nasty viruses, even SARS, Ebola, Nipah and Hendra. Scientists think bats may be using these deadly viruses in a war with other species, including horses and man. Reporter Ian Townsend.
The allergy generation and the EpiPen epidemic
27/04/2008
Allergies to everything from dust, to cats, to peanuts are hitting young children hard, and doctors don't really understand why or what to do. Long held theories are changing, and there's great confusion. Reporter Ian Townsend.
Atul Gawande
13/01/2008
He is a professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, and has several other prestigious roles in the US health policy and public health system. As well, he's a practising doctor and surgeon, editor, author, and New York Magazine writer. Atul Gawande discusses what makes a good doctor, how hospitals can be improved, and what he has learnt about the imperfect science of medicine. (Originally broadcast 3rd June 2007)
Stronger, smarter, nicer humans
06/01/2008
Professor Julian Savulescu is an eminent ethicist from Oxford University. He believes we should proceed with research into enhancing not only the genetics of fighting disease, but the genetics and pharmacology of improving IQ, behaviour, mood, character and morality. He argues there are immense benefits, not only for individuals, but for society as a whole. Only by knowing, can we prevent the abuses of knowledge. A lecture from the Sydney Ideas series at the University of Sydney. (Originally broadcast on 19th August 2007)
Genetic Interventions and the Ethics of Enhancement of Human Beings
Download a chapter (pdf) from The Oxford Handbook of Bioethics (Oxford: Oxford University Press) 2007, edited by B Steinbock. Author and owner of the document is Julian Savulescu, Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics.
Download pdf
