Explorations With Dr. Michio Kaku - February 5, 2002

Program Title:
Explorations With Dr. Michio Kaku - February 5, 2002
Series Title:
PRA Archive #: 
PZ0451.019
Description: 

Explorations with Dr. Michio Kaku, professor of theoretical physics at the City University of New York, science program. GUEST: Dr. STUART B. LEVY, M.D. and author of "Antibiotic Paradox: How the Misuse of Antibiotics Destroys Their Curative Powers" [Perseus Books, 2002; ISBN: 0738204404] Discussion: the overuse and misapplication of antibiotics, germs, and issues surrounding life expectancy and quality. Specific topics and biographical figures addressed in the interview are: 1) An historical interpretations of how infections were perceived 100 years ago 2) The impact of hygiene, sanitation, and antibiotics on lifespan 3) Alexander Fleming and the discovery of Penicillin 4) The biology of antibiotics 5) Mutation in germs and antibiotic resistance 6) The use of antibiotics in farm animals and pets 7) The comeback of Tuberculosis in the inner city and the passage of germs in a global society 8) The role of hospitals today and in the days of yore 9) The development cycle for new drugs in an industry where no new natural antibiotics have been discovered in 40 years 10) Anthrax and Ciprofloxacin 11) Consumer demand and pressure on doctors to write prescriptions Other topics covered: Thousands of protestors converged upon the World Economic Forum's annual meeting at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. They peacefully called for world accountability on issues of the environment and labor in the Third World. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that a Star Wars missile defense shield could cost $238 billion, take up to 25 years to construct, and may not even work at all. Physicists have stated that decoys that emit a signal that is indistinguishable from a warhead have to potential to overwhelm and confuse anti-ballistic missile systems. A 5,000 page 11 volume terrorist manual was translated from Arabic to English and revealed plans to attack commercial nuclear power plants in the United States. Governor George Pataki and Senator Hillary Clinton have called for increased security measures at the Indian Point facility 30 miles north of New York City. Additionally, too much emphasis and hype has been placed on Potassium Iodide, the so-called "anti radiation" pill. The International Atomic Energy Agency is scrambling to recover 2 highly radioactive nuclear power packs in an area of Post-Soviet Georgia controlled by Muslim Guerillas. The power packs were produced by the USSR during the cold war and were discarded into the forest and can be used to create "dirty" rad laced bombs. Recently 3 hunters came across some of the packs and suffered severe radiation burns. NASA announced that the 7,000 lb Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer Satellite (EUVE) launched in 1992 plunged into the earth. Norad tracked its descent into an area over Egypt. Though the satellite contained no radioactive materials, the uncontrolled reentry highlights the danger of placing hazardous substances in orbit. The FDA has approved a new drug called Gleevec that treats rare cancers Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. The drug uses a molecular mechanism to block enzymes necessary to support cancer growth. Scientists are also exploring myriad novel and alternative ways to treat cancer by way of gene therapy and protein interference. A caller asks about quantum entanglement and causality and how space itself can stretch faster than the speed of light. Michio references a 1963 experiment by Einstein Podolsky, and Rosen to ponder the notion of whether or not it would be possible to communicate instantly with the other side of the galaxy while violating the laws of special relativity. They concluded that one cannot use an apparatus to send usable information faster than the speed of light, but the philosophical implications of their experiment showcases a holistic view in that our very existence chances the orientation of physical matter in other parts of the universe.

Date Recorded on: 
February 5, 2002
Date Broadcast on: 
February 5, 2002
Item duration: 
60 min.
Keywords: 
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Distributor: 
Los Angeles, Pacifica Radio Archive, 2002
Rights Summary: 
RESTRICTED. Permissions, licensing requests, Curriculum Initiative, Campus Campaign and all other inquiries should be directed to: Mark Torres, Archives Director, 800-735-0230, Mark@PacificaRadioArchives.org
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