BEING HUMAN

In these six programs, which ran for a week on Canadian radio, producer Bob Carty creates an exciting audio documentary about new technologies that challenge what it means to be human. Carty has done a spectacular job of finding those involved in cloning, gene therapy, xenotransplantation (animal to human transplants), and even cyborg technology, and letting them tell their own stories. Despite wildly different circumstances, such as voices weakened by illness or interrupted by sobs, the sound quality is uniformly high. After the scientific experts and human guinea pigs explain their situations and agendas, Carty puts it all into perspective, using simple language and a gentle wit. This is a great overview of intriguing technologies. G.T.B. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]