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Scientific Breakthroughs

For a series of special editions examining the cultural forces affecting our lives, Anne McElvoy considers the scientific breakthroughs anticipated to shape the 21st century.

At a time of globalization and the acceleration and multiplication of exchanges, the future appears, if not obscure, at least opaque Throughout this week.Nightwaves examines some of the major cultural forces shaping the 21st century - trends dramatically affecting our lives from population change to power and greed, scientific breakthrough and artistic endeavour.

Tonight Anne McElvoy asks to what extent are science and medicine shaping our lives and what breakthroughs are shaping the twenty first century?

Joining her are:

Uta Frith, a leading developmental psychologist working at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London. She has pioneered much of the current research in autism and dyslexia.

Marcus Chown is a science writer of books about the Universe, cosmology and quantum physics. His latest book 'Solar System' is the first book to be spawned by an iPad App.

Raymond Tallis is a philosopher, poet, novelist and cultural critic and was until recently a physician and clinical scientist).

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Tue 20 Dec 2011 22:00

Broadcast

  • Tue 20 Dec 2011 22:00

Free Thinking

Free Thinking

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