Your DNA is changing all the time. Here’s why

About this episode

The episode explores how DNA is constantly changing and the implications of these mutations on our understanding of disease and genetic therapy.

We tend to think of the DNA strands that contain our genetic code as consistent, stable units. But in reality, the cells that make up our bodies are constantly replicating and changing. Even as you read this sentence, in fact, the genes within your cells are mutating. So, what causes these mutations and what’s the impact? Science writer Roxanne Khamsi examines the answers in her new book, Beyond Inheritance . Today on the show, she gets into how scientists examine these mutations, how they’ve shifted our understanding of disease and what the future of genetic therapy could entail. Interested in more biological and life sciences? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org . Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

People in this episode

Host: NPR

Guest: Roxanne Khamsi

Topics covered

• DNA
• genetic mutations
• disease understanding
• genetic therapy
• biological sciences

Keywords

• DNA
• mutations
• genetic therapy
• disease
• biological sciences
• Roxanne Khamsi

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NPR

Books & works: Beyond Inheritance

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