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Viagra and CRISPR

Viagra’s effect on men was discovered by accident after a clinical trial for a heart disease with some surprising side-effects. Here’s how it happened.

Viagra’s effects on men were first discovered as an unexpected side-effect during trials for a medication meant to help patients with a heart condition. CRISPR cas– 9 is now a tool that can be used to modify and replace genes – but it was first noted as a random collection of genes. In the first of three episodes about the genius of accidents in science, Professor Adam Hart explores how, sometimes, the results you’re looking for are not as important as those that appear unexpectedly.

Picture: Test Tubes, Credit: Grafner/Getty Images

Producer: Rory Galloway

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27 minutes

Last on

Mon 12 Nov 2018 00:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 5 Nov 2018 20:32GMT
  • Mon 5 Nov 2018 21:32GMT
  • Tue 6 Nov 2018 05:32GMT
  • Tue 6 Nov 2018 06:32GMT
  • Tue 6 Nov 2018 07:32GMT
  • Tue 6 Nov 2018 11:32GMT
  • Tue 6 Nov 2018 14:32GMT
  • Tue 6 Nov 2018 18:32GMT
  • Mon 12 Nov 2018 00:32GMT

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