ASP tinker around with some highly controversial bioethical stuff: chimeras! In Greek mythology, a chimera is “a fire-breathing female monster with a lion’s head, a goat’s body, and a serpent’s tail”.  In relation with biology a chimera is defined as “an organism containing a mixture of genetically different tissues, formed by processes such as fusion of early embryo”.  Should scientists and doctors be allowed to develop these chimera-technologies and techniques to help save or improve human lives? Ponder as you listen to the show and cast your vote below or on our Twitter page.  (If you’re curious, check out a real human chimera right here!) ASP also discuss the recent deadly and questionable police shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana, and Micah X. Johnson’s violent attack on police officers in Dallas. If this stuff isn’t enough, we touch upon the latest Nintendo mania of Pokémon Go and how it can help you inadvertently discover unexpected non-pokémon, inanimate things.  Finally, the dynamic trio play a game called Guess that Acronym! You think you know what TGIF means? Guess again.

Download and listen to episode #27!

Credits:

“Starlight” http://www.dl-sounds.com

“Piano Trio No. 2 in G Major, K. 496” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Royalty free music. Public domain and copyright free classical music)

Music: “Sea” by Portrayal
From the Free Music Archive
Attribution CC BY

Click here for the NPR article/audio on the chimera story.