{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/e421d786-ec36-4148-aa99-7a3b2928a779/0be9ec72-5c6a-49a8-a19b-2a19ac18e718?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Babbage: Viruses, lords of creation","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62e286a934d4d9fe5e874247/62e286c1bd17c20012ef40fe.jpg?height=200","description":"<p>These tiny, ancient predators do more than cause pandemics. Host Kenneth Cukier and science editor Geoff Carr investigate how <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/essay/2020/08/20/viruses-have-big-impacts-on-ecology-and-evolution-as-well-as-human-health?utm_campaign=babbage&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\">viruses have shaped the world</a>. Evolutionary biologist David Enard explains how viruses have driven human development. And <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2020/06/05/jennifer-doudna-on-how-covid-19-is-spurring-science-to-accelerate?utm_campaign=babbage&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\">Jennifer Doudna</a>, who pioneered CRISPR gene editing, and Steffanie Strathdee, an innovator in phage therapy, show how cells’ antiviral defences as well as&nbsp; <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/08/22/how-viruses-shape-the-world?utm_campaign=babbage&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\">viruses themselves can be harnessed</a> to protect the future of humanity. </p><p><br></p><p>Please subscribe to <em>The Economist</em> for full access to print, digital and audio editions:</p><p><a href=\"http://www.economist.com/podcastoffer?utm_campaign=babbage&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">www.economist.com/podcastoffer</a></p>","author_name":"The Economist"}