Gene Hack, Man




Big Picture Science show

Summary: <p><span class="caps">ENCORE</span> Computers and <span class="caps">DNA</span> have a few things in common. Both use digital codes and are prone to viruses. And, it seems, both can be hacked. From restoring the flavor of tomatoes to hacking into the president’s <span class="caps">DNA</span>, discover the promise and peril of gene tinkering.</p> <p>Plus, computer hacking. Just how easy is it to break into your neighbor’s email account? What about the CIA’s?</p> <p>Also, one man’s concern that radio telescopes might pick up an alien computer virus.</p> <h2>Guests:</h2> <ul> <li> <strong><a href="http://genome.wustl.edu/people/individual/george-weinstock/">George Weinstock</a></strong> – Microbiologist, geneticist, associate director at the Washington University Genome Institute, St. Louis</li> <li> <strong><a href="http://plantbio.cornell.edu/cals/plbio/directory/faculty.cfm?netId=jjg33">Jim Giovannoni</a></strong> – Plant molecular biologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cornell University campus</li> <li> <strong><a href="http://andrewhessel.com/?page_id=34">Andrew Hessel</a></strong> – Faculty member, Singularity University, research scientist at Autodesk, and co-author of “<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/11/hacking-the-presidents-dna/309147/">Hacking the President’s <span class="caps">DNA</span></a>” in the November 2012 issue of <i>The Atlantic</i> </li> <li> <strong><a href="http://dankaminsky.com/">Dan Kaminsky</a></strong> – Chief scientist of security firm <span class="caps">DHK</span> </li> <li> <strong><a href="http://home.fnal.gov/~carrigan/index.htm">Dick Carrigan</a></strong> – Scientist emeritus at Fermilab, Batavia, Illinois</li> </ul><p><strong><a href="http://www.seti.cl/podcast-del-instituto-seti-genes-y-maquinas/">Descripción en español</a></strong></p> <p>First released December 10, 2012</p>