CRISPR, stemcell banking,  and a football world cup

CRISPR, stemcell banking, and a football world cup

Author: The BMJ August 21, 2025 Duration: 36:16
CRISPR technology has revolutionised biological research, and for the first time it’s out of the lab and into the NHS, as NICE has approved its use as cost effective. Kenneth Charles, senior lecturer in haematology at the University of the West Indies explains how the treatment works, and what concerns he has about it's implementation. Also this week, a new investigation on bmj.com has looked at a number of British companies who are offering to collect children's teeth for stem cell extraction and storage. Freelance investigative journalist Emma Wilkinson explains the "outrageous" claims she found them making. Finally - we’re finishing with the football. Team GB had a strong showing this year -  our over 25 men’s team brought the trophy home, and our womans team competed for the first time To explain more about the medical world cup we're joined by Minnan Al-Khafaji, captain of the women’s team, and Jamie Thoroughgood, captain of the men’s team.   Read more. Banking baby teeth: companies may be misleading parents with “outrageous claims” CRISPR therapy for sickle cell disease Follow the British Medical Football Team on instagram

Produced by The BMJ, this weekly audio series delves into the pivotal research and urgent clinical debates shaping modern medicine. Each episode moves beyond the published page, bringing together the authors, critics, and practitioners directly involved to dissect a new study or a pressing health question. The conversation is rigorous and nuanced, designed for those who appreciate the complexity behind headlines. You’ll hear unscripted discussion about methodology, implications for practice, and the occasional healthy disagreement that drives science forward. This isn't just a summary of the latest findings; it's a critical appraisal in real time, offering listeners a front-row seat to the evolving discourse that defines evidence-based care. The Medicine and Science from The BMJ podcast serves as an essential audio companion for clinicians, academics, and anyone keen to understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind medical news. It transforms the latest evidence from the journal into an accessible, thought-provoking dialogue, ensuring that busy professionals can stay deeply informed. Tune in for a direct, intelligent, and often surprising take on the science that matters most.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 50

Medicine and Science from The BMJ
Podcast Episodes
Now is a golden opportunity to change primary care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:02
The next few months might be an inflection point for GPs in England and Wales Our strong primary care system is often credited in the success of the NHS - But changes to how that system works are currently underway. Legi…
When medical exams go wrong, & CTE in the NFL [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:26
In this week’s podcast we’ll be hearing a lot about exams - the bane of many doctor’s training lives, exams that determine your future are scattered through medicine and can cause a huge amount of anxiety and stress… Joh…
AI in healthcare - getting it right, and stopping it going wrong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:29
This week we’re focusing on how healthcare is using AI systems. The NHS is firmly set on a course of AI integration, with NHS England committing £10 billion of taxpayer funds to the cause over the next three years. The p…
New analysis on Bipolar treatment, and vaccines for malaria [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:33
Bipolar disorder affects almost 40 million people worldwide, but finding the right treatment is complex, and nearly half of patients struggle to follow their prescribed treatment plans. In the first part of this episode,…
We need to understand how global market forces undermine healthcare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:16
This week we focus on the external forces that shape medicine and healthcare. Global health is changing, after the reduction in financing from wealthy nations, the global community are beginning to implement reforms to i…
Are doctors afraid of death? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:48
In this week's podcast - the Sensitivity of Patient Questionnaires: If you've ever asked a patient to fill out a Patient Health Questionnaire (like the PHQ-9) to assess their mental health and wondered exactly how much o…
Is Burnham's 'Manchesterism' the fix for health & social care? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:43
Known for his use of devolved powers, during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham now has the opportunity to bring his local blueprint to the national stage. But what does this mean for the future of h…
Hands off our data: the need for sovereignty in a connected world [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:42
Who actually owns our health data once it is stored in the cloud? And how do we balance the global push for open medical research with the need to protect local populations from data extraction? Kamran Abbasi sits down w…