Ira Flatow

Well, Steve, they will when they read your book.

You know, we could go on forever.

This is a great book.

Steve Brussati, paleontologist and author of The Story of Birds, A New History from Their Dinosaur Origins to the Present.

Steve is based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

This episode was produced by Kathleen Davis.

And if you have nightmares about demon ducks and terror birds after listening to this, give us a call.

877-4-CYFRY.

877-4-CYFRY.

We'll see you next time.

I'm Ira Flato.

Hi, this is Ira Flato, and you're listening to Science Friday.

Right now, your DNA is mutating.

Yes, yours.

Well, and mine too.

And no, I'm not giving you an early cancer diagnosis.

Cancer and mutations obviously go hand in hand, but you may be surprised to know that our bodily systems are rife with mutations.

These errors and attempts to repair them are a key to understanding immune function, aging, and even how heart disease develops.

In fact, gene mutations can even mitigate the harm caused by some inherited diseases.

My next guest is here to take us on a journey through the illuminating science of genetic mutations.