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What Makes Humans Human?

Susan Calman Is ConvictedSeries 2
Episode 4 of 4

The comedienne ponders if you can really describe a person by simply stating their genetic code. From April 2014.

Susan Calman explores issues on which she has strong opinions.

What makes humans human?

In the 1990's Susan worked at the United Nations in Geneva on the Human Genome project. It was a project which looked at the increasing genetic databases that were being set up all over the world. It got her thinking - can you really encapsulate people in one scientific code?

Susan thinks that the answer is no.

Science is making great advances in coding human beings, but that's not what we are. Siblings share a genetic code but can be incredibly different. Everyone is made up of people we meet, books we read and experiences we have.

Science is wonderful but we should also consider the human soul.

Producer: Lyndsay Fenner

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2014.

30 minutes

Last on

Thu 22 Feb 202423:00
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Credits

PerformerSusan Calman
ProducerLyndsay Fenner

Broadcasts

  • Wed 23 Apr 201418:30
    BBC Radio 4
  • Wed 30 Apr 201407:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Wed 30 Apr 201422:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 11 Oct 202012:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 11 Oct 202017:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 11 Oct 202022:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 12 Oct 202005:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 22 Feb 202423:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra