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Discovery: The Genius of Accidents: Viagra and CRISPR

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05/11/2018 GMT

Viagra and CRISPR

The Genius of Accidents

BBC World Service - Discovery, The Genius of Accidents, Viagra and CRISPRSearch BBC

Viagra was first developed to treat heart disease, but it had some surprising side-effects

Viagra’s effect on men was discovered by accident after a clinical trial for a heart disease with some surprising side-effects. Here’s how it happened.

Viagra’s effects on men were first discovered as an unexpected side-effect during trials for a medication meant to help patients with a heart condition. CRISPR cas– 9 is now a tool that can be used to modify and replace genes – but it was first noted as a random collection of genes. In the first of three episodes about the genius of accidents in science, Professor Adam Hart explores how, sometimes, the results you’re looking for are not as important as those that appear unexpectedly. 

Picture: Test Tubes, Credit: Grafner/Getty Images

Producer: Rory Galloway

Discovery: The Genius of Accidents

How luck has been surprisingly important in some of the greatest discoveries in science.

Adam Hart explores how luck and serendipity have been surprisingly important in some of the greatest discoveries in science.

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