S4.15 Catching cancer: A story of devils, dogs and cannibal hamsters

We tell the story of transmissible tumours, looking at the history of contagious cancers in dogs, devils, clams and cannibal hamsters. Plus, the man who caught cancer from his tapeworm.Full show notes, music credits and references online at GeneticsUnzipped.com Follow us on Twitter @GeneticsUnzipGenetics Unzipped is written and presented by Kat Arney with audio production by Hannah Varrall.This podcast is produced by First Create the Media for the Genetics Society - one of the oldest learned societies in the world dedicated to supporting and promoting the research, teaching and application of genetics.

What this episode covers

We tell the story of transmissible tumours, looking at the history of contagious cancers in dogs, devils, clams and cannibal hamsters. Plus, the man who caught cancer from his tapeworm.

NOW PLAYING

0:00 33:46

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

The Machine That Lets Us Look At Dark Energy

Jun 24, 2026 ·24m

Cocaine is in Our Waterways. How are Animals Responding?

Jun 17, 2026 ·25m

Science Needs Creativity

Jun 10, 2026 ·27m

Copy, Paste, Clone: What it Takes to Bring Back the Past

Jun 3, 2026 ·21m

What Out-of-Body Experiences Reveal About Consciousness

May 27, 2026 ·29m

Hantavirus Outbreak: Separating Fact from Fear

May 20, 2026 ·21m

Similar Podcasts

Why are you, YOU? Subtitle: Human behind NAME Sava Bisarani Asalamu aleykum,"Why Are You, You?" is an engaging and thought-provoking podcast show that delves into the depths of human identity and the complex factors that shape who we are as individuals. Hosted by Sava Bisarani, this podcast explores the multifaceted nature of personal identity, uncovering the intricate interplay of genetics, upbringing, experiences, and societal influences."Why Are You, You?" an essential listen for those who are curious about the human condition and the mysteries of selfhood.Asalamu aleykum or in Kurdish: Xuwa legel! Big Biology BigBiology The biggest biology podcast for the biggest science and biology fans. Featuring in-depth discussions with scientists tackling the biggest questions in evolution, genetics, ecology, climate, neuroscience, diseases, the origins of life, psychology and more. If it's biological, groundbreaking, philosophical or mysterious you'll find it here. bigbiology.substack.com The Genetics Podcast Sano Genetics Exploring all things genetics. Dr Patrick Short, University of Cambridge alumnus and CEO of Sano Genetics, analyses the science, interviews the experts, and discusses the latest findings and breakthroughs in genetic research. To find out more about Sano Genetics and its mission to accelerate the future of precision medicine visit: www.sanogenetics.com The Pragati Podcast IVM Podcasts Take a step back from noisy political debates and tune in to rich conversations on India and the world. The Pragati Podcast is a weekly talkshow on public policy, economics and international relations. Science-geek-turned-policy-wonk Pavan Srinath talks to scholars and experts on everything from India's unique genetics to why China isn't really trying to take over the world. New episodes out every Thursday. The Pragati Podcast is the titular podcast of the online magazine Pragati, and has a lot more brain fodder at www.thinkpragati.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Genetics Unzipped?

This episode is 33 minutes long.

When was this Genetics Unzipped episode published?

This episode was published on July 29, 2021.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this Genetics Unzipped episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!