S4.18 Meet the Robinson Crusoe Islanders: the genetic roots of speech and language development
Hello, and welcome to Genetics Unzipped - the Genetics Society podcast, with me, Dr Kat Arney. In this episode we’re taking a trip to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, dropping in on the Robinson Crusoe islanders to learn about their story and discover what their genes can teach us about speech and language development, and what happens when this goes awry.
Before we start, a quick mention for a few things I’ve been up to lately. Firstly, if you’re not sick of the sound of my voice and have access to the BBC iPlayer or BBC Sounds, you can check out all ten episodes from both series of Ingenious, my Radio 4 series looking at the science and the stories behind some of my favourite human genes. From the Fat gene to the eyeball gene, each episode is only 15 minutes long and fascinating as well as fun, so do go back and check them out. Search for Ingenious Kat Arney, or follow the link from the page for this podcast at GeneticsUnzipped.com.
And yep - here’s the book plug. My latest book, Rebel Cell: Cancer, evolution and the science of life, is now out in paperback in the UK, along with the hardback, Kindle and audiobook versions, and a US edition. Just head to your favourite real-life or online retailer or go to rebelcellbook.com to buy a signed copy or bookplate sticker. Thank you.
Dianne Newbury: Studying the Robinson Crusoe Island population to discover genetic clues to speech and language impairment
Head out 600 miles into the Pacific Ocean from the coast of Chile, either two days on a boat or an hour in a tiny propeller plane, and you’ll get to the Robinson Crusoe Island. Formerly known as Mas a Tierra and renamed in 1966, this small mountainous island is a remote tropical paradise known mostly for the fact that it’s said to be the inspiration behind Daniel Defoe’s novel Robinson Crusoe, hence the name.
That’s all for now. Thanks to Dianne Newbury for chatting with me about the islanders and her work - it’s a story I’ve been wanting to tell for a long time since I first interviewed her back in 2013 and I’m so pleased to be able to bring it to you now.
We’ll be back next time with a brief history of DNA sequencing, from the very earliest methods to today’s futuristic technologies.
For more information about this podcast including show notes, transcripts, links, references, music credits and everything else head over to geneticsunzipped.com You can find us on Twitter @geneticsunzip and please do take a moment to rate and review us on Apple podcasts - it really makes a difference and helps more people discover the show.
Genetics Unzipped is written and presented by me, Kat Arney. It is produced by First Create the Media for The Genetics Society - one of the oldest learned societies in the world dedicated to supporting and promoting the research, teaching and application of genetics. You can find out more and apply to join at genetics.org.uk. Our theme music was composed by Dan Pollard, and the logo was designed by James Mayall, and audio production was by Hannah Varrall. Thanks for listening, and until next time, goodbye.
Music and sound effects licensed from Epidemic Sound
Image credits:
Isla Robinson Crusoe, Image courtesy of Dianne Newbury
