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The Life Scientific: Episode 101: EO Wilson on ants and evolution

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EO Wilson

Episode 101

Episode 101: EO Wilson on ants and evolution

EO Wilson on ants and evolution

BBC Radio 4 - The Life Scientific, EO Wilson on ants and evolution

Leading biologist EO Wilson talks to Jim Al-Khalili about ants, altruism and evolution.

EO Wilson has been described as the "world's most evolved biologist" and even as "the heir to Darwin". He's a passionate naturalist and an absolute world authority on ants. Over his long career he's described 450 new species of ants. 

Known to many as the founding father of socio-biology, EO Wilson is a big hitter in the world of evolutionary theory. But, recently he's criticised what's popularly known as The Selfish Gene theory of evolution that he once worked so hard to promote (and that now underpins the mainstream view on evolution). 

A twice Pulitzer prize winning author of more than 20 books, he's also an extremely active campaigner for the preservation of the planet's bio-diversity: he says, "destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal".

EO Wilson talks to Jim al-Khalili about his life scientific.

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Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work.

Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work, finding out what inspires them and asking what their discoveries might do for us in the future.

Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work, finding out what inspires and motivates them and asking what their discoveries might do for us in the future

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Episode 101: EO Wilson on ants and evolution

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