New season unveiled for the 'Distillations' podcast by Science History Institute
The Science History Institute is set to launch a new season of its popular podcast, Distillations, starting August 5, 2025. This season promises to be an exciting exploration of the fascinating history of genetic engineering and the birth of the biotech industry.
Over the course of eight new episodes, Distillations will delve into key scientific discoveries and medical breakthroughs that ushered in the age of genetic engineering. From the early foundational science to the creation of the biotech industry, each episode will offer a deep dive into the innovations, breakthroughs, dreams, and nightmares that have shaped the field.
The new season is inspired by science fiction movies like The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park, and will cover a wide range of topics. Some episodes will focus on gene therapy, in vitro fertilization, and CRISPR, while others will delve into the crisis in Alzheimer's research and the 19th-century vampire panic in New England.
The season started early with a two-part story on the 1975 Asilomar Conference on Recombinant DNA, which marked a turning point in the history of genetic engineering.
In addition to the podcast launch, the Science History Institute is hosting a number of events to celebrate the new season. On August 1, 2025, there will be a free event called First Friday: Gene-ius Quizzo, featuring a preview of the new season and a trivia round inspired by science fiction and genetically modified characters. The Science History Institute's 2025 Curious Histories Fest event, centered around the theme "What's for Lunch?", will include pickle tastings, cooking demos, ice cream, and more.
The Science History Institute's flagship podcast, Distillations, takes deep dives into a variety of science-related topics, illuminating lesser-known stories in the history of science and helping listeners understand the complex relationship between scientific innovation and society. Scholars from around the world will study various topics at the Science History Institute as part of the 2025-2026 Beckman Center Fellowships.
Distillations can be subscribed to wherever podcasts are available. Whether you're a fan of science fiction or simply interested in learning more about the history of genetic engineering and the biotech industry, this new season of Distillations is not to be missed.
- The new season of Distillations, inspired by science fiction films, will delve into health-and-wellness topics such as gene therapy, in vitro fertilization, and the use of CRISPR technology.
- The new season of Distillations, a science podcast by the Science History Institute, will also cover medical-conditions like the crisis in Alzheimer's research and the historical vampire panic in New England, showcasing how technology and societal dreams have shaped these fields.
