S6.08: Pop goes the genome! Genetics in popular culture
Hello, and welcome to Genetics Unzipped - the Genetics Society podcast, with me, Dr Kat Arney. In this episode we’re taking a leftfield look at public communication of genetics, exploring how the science of DNA turns up in popular culture from comics and music to cakes.
As a science communicator and genetics podcaster, I’m always on the lookout for examples of how the science of DNA and inheritance makes an appearance in popular culture, from the infamous genetic dystopia of the movie Gattaca and the deadly genetic bioweapon in the most recent Bond film to songs, adverts, books, TV and more. So in this episode we thought we’d highlight a few fun examples of how people are using genetics ideas in creative ways, and also explore how including genetics in popular culture can help engage people in this complex and sometimes controversial science.
Image courtesy of Syabira Yusoff
Syabira Yusoff: How an edible DNA double helix bake helped to win the Great British Bake Off
If you’re a fan of both genetics and the Great British Bake Off, like I am, you can’t have failed to cheer at one of the most charismatic contestants of the 2022 series - research scientist Syabira Yusoff, whose enormous three-dimensional baked DNA double helix krokan helped to propel her to the final and ultimate Nake Off glory. I was delighted to catch up with her for a chat about her career in genetics research and her plans for the future, combining her love of science and baking.
Matt Dillon: Taking a trip to Genome Island
Another fun example we’ve seen recently of using genetics ideas in a hilarious and creative way is the webcomic Genome Island - a kind of anarchic Jurassic Park, with plenty of adventures, jokes, and gene editing. Sally Le Page caught up with its creator, cartoonist Matt Dillon, to find out more.
Genome Island, Image courtesy of Matt Dillon
Image courtesy of Jonathan Roberts
Jonathan Roberts: Does it matter how genetics portrayed in popular culture?
There are plenty of examples of genetics in popular culture - but are they helpful? And does it matter if the science isn’t quite right, or even flat out wrong? Jonathan Roberts, a genetic counsellor and academic who works in the NHS and at Genomics England, has a particular interest in genetics and popular culture - so much so that he ended up doing a PhD in it. I sat down for a chat with him to talk about how genetics is portrayed in pop culture, why it matters, and what could be done differently.
Rishi Nag: Genomics! The Musical
We’ve covered baking, art, films and TV, so finally we come to music. And who better to talk about putting genetics into song than Rishi Nag, a former genomics researcher and bioinformatician turned full-time singer songwriter and science communicator. He’s the creator of Genomics! The Musical, a one-man stage show packed with songs about the science of DNA and heredity. I caught up with him to find out more about the challenges of setting genetics to music, and where the idea for his show came from.
Rishi Nag, Image courtesy of Stephanie Li
Coming up at the Genetics Society!
The Heredity Fieldwork Grant deadline is coming up, and you can apply for up to £2000 to cover travel and accommodation costs associated with doing a genetics research project in the field. Applications have to be in by 1st May.
That’s all for now. Thanks to Rishi Nag and my other guests, Jonathan Roberts, Matt Dillon and Syabira Yusoff. And do keep listening to the end for a cheeky bonus - a version of the Elements song by Tom Lehrer with chemicals replaced with the names of fruit fly genes, performed by my sister, science comedian and songwriter Helen Arney.
Next time we’re off on a genetic crime spree, looking at the science of stealing genes.
For more information about this podcast including show notes, transcripts, links, references and everything else head over to geneticsunzipped.com You can find us on Twitter @geneticsunzip and please do take a moment to leave us a rating in the Spotify app or review us on Apple podcasts - it really makes a difference and helps more people discover the show.
This episode of Genetics Unzipped was written and presented by me, Kat Arney. It’s a First Create the Media production for The Genetics Society - one of the oldest learned societies dedicated to promoting research, training, teaching and public engagement in all areas 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, audio production was by Emma Werner and our producer is Sally Le Page.
And to play us out, here’s the Fruit Fly genes song, with words by Helen Arney and the immortal music of Arthur Sullivan. Enjoy!
