This episode examines recent progress in genetics, including advances in genetic science, practical applications of genomics, and ethical issues raised by genome technology. The guests are Michael Snyder, PhD, Chairman of the Genetics Department and Director of the Center of Genomics and Personalized Medicine at Stanford University, and Russ Altman, MD, PhD, Professor of Bioengineering, Genetics and Medicine and former Director of Stanford’s Bioengineering Department. Michael Snyder is a leader in the field of genomics, has created several new genome mapping techniques, and is the cofounder of several successful biotechnology companies, including Protometrix, Affomix, and Personalis. Russ Altman specializes in sophisticated computer modeling to gain insight into the human genome. He was a recipient of the U.S. Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, and is Chairman of the Food and Drug Administration’s Science Advisory Board, where he advises the FDA Commissioner. Questions addressed include whether the genome contains information for intangible traits such as personality and intelligence as well as physical traits such as hair and eye color, how understanding a person’s genome can help predict their susceptibility to disease, whether it’s possible to modify a person’s genome to make him less susceptible to disease, and whether altering a genome carries ethical risks. Martin Wasserman hosts.