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The Forum: Viruses: in medicine, technology and in our minds

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HIV Artwork by Science Photo Library

23/03/2013 GMT

Viruses: in medicine, technology and in our minds

BBC World Service - The Forum, Viruses: in medicine, technology and in our minds

The terrifying and wonderful viral world with Peter Piot, Angela Belcher, Susan Blackmore

The ever mutating world of viruses, both the biological kind that cause epidemics and the new synthetic viruses being engineered in the lab for environmentally-friendly products.

Viruses: both lethal vectors that can sow death and destruction, and clever adaptable mechanisms that could transform the future of manufacturing. And should we worry more about the viral spread of ideas and trends? Bridget Kendall's guests are the Director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Peter Piot, who is the co-discoverer of the Ebola virus; bioengineer professor Angela Belcher, who uses viruses to make novel materials at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and psychologist Dr. Susan Blackmore, who has a special interest in the viral potential of digital technology. PHOTO: Artwork of HIV virus by Science Photo Library

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