Current Controversies #183
September 28, 2012

This episode was recorded when Science for the People was called Skeptically Speaking.
This week, we’re looking at two science stories making headlines and stirring debate. Science writer David Dobbs returns to the show, to discuss the controversial neuroscience in Naomi Wolf’s new book Vagina: a Biography. And genetics researcher Michael White joins us to sort out the science from the hype in the results of the ENCODE genomics project.
Guests:
- David Dobbs
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