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Science In Action: One million genomes in two dimensions

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29/02/2024 GMT

One million genomes in two dimensions

BBC World Service - Science In Action, One million genomes in two dimensions

US researchers aim to sample genomes from one million diverse people but concerns raised

US researchers aim to sample genomes from one million people. However, scientists are concerned that the way some of the data has been framed could reinforce racist beliefs

The All of Us Research Program is undergoing the herculean task of gathering genomic data from over one million people living in the United States, from widely different backgrounds, in the hopes of accelerating health care research. However, within the scientific community many, including Ewan Birney, deputy director general of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, are concerned that the way some of this data has been framed in a recent paper could reinforce racist beliefs. We also learn about the program and hear a response to the criticism from Josh Denny, the CEO of the All of Us Research Program.  

Over the past two years, a deadly version of bird flu, H5N1, has been spreading around the globe, killing hundreds of thousands of birds and mammals in the process. Isolated from the rest of the world, animals in Antarctica have been safe from the virus so far. But, virologist Antonio Alcamí, who is located on the continents Spanish base, confirms that bird flu has reached them, infecting Antarctic skua seabirds.   

And, on a less serious note, can the smell of a female cause premature death? Maybe in mice. Researcher Mike Garratt goes over the intriguing results in his new mouse study.  

Presenter: Roland Pease  
Producer: Ella Hubber  
Production co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

(Image: Colorful diverse crowd in modern collage. Credit: Dedraw Studio via Getty Images)

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