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. Show less