Living with the Eugenic Past: Brian Donovan

Living with the Eugenic Past: Brian Donovan

Author: The Genetics Society November 24, 2022 Duration: 14:31

This podcast is part of a miniseries of interviews with speakers from the 2022 annual conference of the Adelphi Genetics Forum - a learned society that aims to promote research and discussion concerning the scientific understanding of human heredity. Formerly known as the Galton Institute, and before that, the Eugenics Education Society, the society has changed its name to the Adelphi Genetics Forum to firmly reject and distance itself from the discredited and damaging ideas of its namesake, Francis Galton – widely viewed as the founder of eugenics.

Dr Brian Donovan is a senior research scientist at BSCS Science learning – the oldest science education non-profit organisation in the United States. They have a long history in teaching biology, having been developing biology curricula for over 50 years, and were responsible for reintroducing evolution into American high school biology textbooks. His talk explored how better understanding of genetics and genomics in schools can help to dismantle white supremacist culture. Kat Arney started by asking Brian how his interest in biology education intersects with the topic of eugenics.

You can find out more about the Adelphi Genetics Forum, including their grants, awards and publications, at adelphigenetics.org You can check out the rest of this series on the Genetics Unzipped podcast feed – just search for Genetics Unzipped on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. This series was produced by the team at First Create The Media – that’s Kat Arney, Sally Le Page and Emma Werner, with help from Ed Prosser and Frankie Pike. Our music is Drops of H2O by J. Lang, licensed under Creative Commons.


Ever wondered how a monk's garden peas changed science, or what your own DNA might reveal about you? Genetics Unzipped, presented by The Genetics Society, explores these questions and countless others, weaving together the past, present, and future of heredity. This isn't a dry lecture series; it's a collection of conversations and narratives that make the complex world of genes feel immediate and fascinating. Each episode delves into a specific story, whether it's a historical breakthrough, a debate in modern medicine, or the surprising genetic connections in nature and our daily lives. You'll hear from researchers, historians, and sometimes the subjects of genetics themselves, all unpacking how DNA shapes health, fitness, evolution, and what it means to be alive. The podcast moves seamlessly from the fundamentals to the frontiers, making the science accessible without oversimplifying the profound implications. Tune in for a thoughtful and engaging exploration that goes far beyond the helix, examining the very code that writes our stories.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 168

Genetics Unzipped
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