Golden, Kevin Z. — “Lawsuit to Ban Genetically Modified Alfalfa”

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This program was originally broadcast May 7, 2007.

The consequences of growing genetically modified alfalfa were deteremined by the United States District Court in San Francisco, California to be so uncertain and so potentially dangerous that they were outlawed nation-wide in litigation brought by the Center for Food Safety based in San Francisco. In this edition of Radio Curious we visit with Attorney Kevin Zelig Golden, who, along with others from the Center for Food Safety, litigated this landmark case which banned the planting of genetically modified alfalfa as of May 3, 2007.

The book that Kevin Z. Golden recommends is “Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals,” by Michael Pollan.

Dr. Arthur Janov, Dr. France Janov –” Emotional Healing by Examining Initial Imprints”

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Originally Broadcast: December 20, 2006

Primal Healing: Access the Incredible Power of Feelings to Improve you Health

The alleviation of human angst and emotional pain or distress is the goal of psychotherapy. Dr. Arthur Janov, together with his wife Dr. France Janov, believe the traditional, century-old method of talk therapy is not the answer. Together they direct the Primal Center in Venice, California, and Dr. Arthur Janov, who wrote, “The Primal Scream,” in the late 1960s, is the author of “Primal Healing: Access the Incredible Power of Feelings to Improve Your Health.” The Janovs assert that the best emotional healing is obtained by reaching back to the point of injury that formed an initial imprint of the pain, which often occurs in the womb or in early childhood. They believe that accessing these subconscious memories is necessary for improved physical and emotional health. We began our conversation with Dr. France Janov and Dr. Arthur Janov, recorded in mid-December 2006, from their home in Santa Monica, California, when I asked them to explain how initial imprints in a person’s life can be the cause of lifelong pain.

http://www.primaltherapy.com

Dr. Arthur Janov recommends, “Hostile Takeover: How big Money and Corruption Conquered Our Government and How We Can Take It Back,” by David Sirota.

 

John Darnton – “Who is Charles Darwin”

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The Darwin Conspiracy

Who was Charles Darwin and what led him to describe what we now call “the theory of evolution?” These curious questions are ones that I have been following since I was about ten years old. In 1978 I had the good fortune of visiting the Galapagos Islands, 600 miles west of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Island in 1831 for month as part of a five-year voyage around the world. There he saw birds and animals that helped him formulate some of his ideas about evolution he published “The Origin of the Species,” 22 years later in 1853. And the world has not been the same since. Now, at a time when concepts of evolution and natural selection are attacked certain from theological and political perspectives, a novel called “The Darwin Conspiracy,” has been written by John Darnton, a writer and editor for the New York Times. “The Darwin Conspiracy,” although fiction, is said by John Darton to be 90% accurate, and covers Darwin’s life and thinking before and after the publication of “The Origin of the Species.” I spoke with John Darton from his home in New York City at the end of October 2005. He began by describing who Charles Darwin was, in his time and place.

John Darnton recommends “Snow,” by Orhan Pamuk.

Originally Broadcast: November 29, 2005

Stuart Shanker – “The First Idea”

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The First Idea: How Symbols, Language and Intelligence Evolved From Our Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans

“The First Idea: How Symbols, Language and Intelligence Evolved From Our Primate Ancestors to Modern Humans,” is a book by professors Stanley Greenspan and Stuart Shanker. Their hypotheses assert that our ability to use symbols and language depends on specific types of nurturing interactions and other cultural practices passed down, learned anew and further developed by each generation, dating back to prehuman and even nonhuman primate cultures. I spoke with Professor Shanker about these and other topics.

Stuart Shanker recommends “The Trees in my Forest,” by Berndt Heinrich.

Originally Broadcast: November 23, 2004

Bryan Sykes – “The Y Chromosome May Disappear”

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Adam’s Curse, A Future Without Men

The Y chromosome, compared to the body’s 45 other chromosomes, is very fragile. It has been worn down by millions years of attrition and over time has lost many of its genes. It is unable to exchange genetic material or repair itself because it does not combine with other chromosomes like the X chromosome does. Professor Bryan Sykes, author of “Adam’s Curse, A Future Without Men,” explains the degeneration of the Y chromosome.

Bryan Sykes recommends “Mismatch,” by Andrew Hacker & “Burgdorf Blondes,” by Plumb Sykes.

Originally Broadcast: June 1, 2004

Deborah Koons Garcia– “The Future of Food”

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Director of, The Future of Food

“The Future of Food,” a film written and produced by Deborah Koons Garcia, discusses our food’s conflicting relationship with both mass agri-business and local agriculture. Our discussion was conducted in the context of the passage of Mendocino County’s Measure H, banning growth of GMOs in the county.

Deborah Koons Garcia recommends “Women’s Diaries fo the Westward Journey,” edited by Lillian Schlissel.

Originally Broadcast: April 25, 2004

Matt Ridley– “Nature or Nurture?”

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Genome & Nature via Nurture: Genes, Experience and What Makes Us Human

Are we humans defined by nature or nurture? Matt Ridley, the author of “Genome,” published in 2000, has more recently written “Nature via Nurture: Genes, Experience and What Makes Us Human.” He argues that genes are enablers, rather than constrainers; thus, we are continually shaped by everyday life.

Matt Ridley recommends “Dot Con,” by John Cassidy.

Originally Broadcast: February 3, 2004

Spencer Wells– “The Peopling of the World”

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The Journey of Man, A Genetic Odyssey

Around 60,000 years ago, a man – identical to us in all important genetic respects – lived in Africa. Every person alive today is descended from him. This is known because the secrets of human evolution are hidden in our genetic code. In this edition of Radio Curious, we visit with geneticist Spencer Wells, author of the book and movie, “Journey of Man, A Genetic Odyssey.”

Spencer Wells recommends “No Logo,” by Naomi Klein.

Originally Broadcast: February 10, 2004

Dr. Sally Shaywitz – “How to Identify and Overcome Dyslexia”

This episode was first broadcasted on August 5, 2003.

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Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level

Approximately one child in five suffers from dyslexia, a condition that makes learning to read difficult and in some cases seemingly impossible. In this edition of Radio Curious, originally broadcast in August of 2003, we visit with Dr. Sally Shaywitz, a Professor of Pediatrics at Yale University and the co-director of the Yale justify for the Study of Learning and Attention. She discusses early diagnosis of dyslexia in young children, older children, and in adults, and what can be done to assist people who suffer from this disability. In her book, “Overcoming Dyslexia,” Dr. Shaywitz describes how current research, including new brain imaging studies, are uncovering the mechanics underlying this problem, and have led to effective treatments.

Dr. Sally Shaywitz recommends “Emperor of Ocean Park,” by Stephen Carter & “Samaritan,” by Richard Price.

Steve Jones- “Tracing The Y Chromosome”

This program was originally broadcasted on August 12, 2003.

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Y, The Descent of Men, Revealing the Mysteries of Maleness

Professor Steve Jones, author of the book, Y, The Descent of Men, Revealing the Mysteries of Maleness, discusses biological aspects of maleness created by the Y chromosome. Jones explores the effect of male hormones, hair loss, and the hydraulics of mans most intimate organ. He lays out the case for and against masculinity.

Steve Jones recommends Cherries, the Worst Journey in the World: A Biography of Alexy Cherry Gerard, by Sarah Wheeler.