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Awe and wonder
Biology
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Politics
1 min read

Francis Collins: re-enchanting wisdom

Covid, faith, polarised politics and the battle for truth.

Nick is the senior editor of Seen & Unseen.

A man talks animatedly.

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Francis Collins is a physician and geneticist whose groundbreaking work has led to the discovery of the cause of cystic fibrosis among other diseases. He led the Human Genome Project which first sequenced the entire human DNA, established the science-faith organisation BioLogos, and has gone on to serve three US presidents as the director of the National Institutes of Health.

Francis’ new book is titled The Road To Wisdom: On truth, science, faith and trust and covers some of the controversies and challenges he has faced personally in his public role as a scientist and government advisor leading the USA’s Covid response during the height of the pandemic.

In the light of the 2024 presidential election Justin and Belle talk to Francis about whether we can re-enchant truth, trust and wisdom in an increasingly polarised world. Francis Collins:

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Seen & Unseen Aloud
1 min read

Assisted dying, Jane Austen and how to solve the Gaza conflict

New episode: the silent campaigns groups, Jane Austen inspires, and why only politics can solve Gaza.

Natalie produces and narrates The Seen & Unseen Aloud podcast. She's an Anglican minister and a trained actor.

A digital billboard reads: STAY
A suicide prevention advert.
CALM.

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About this episode

This week's thought-provoking selection starts with Jamie Gillies asking suicide prevention organisations to get involved in the Assisted Dying debate; Beatrice Schudeler introduces us to Jane Austen-inspired novels of different times and genres, and Graham Tomlin tracks the political history of Gaza back to the Roman Empire and still suggests that only politics can find a long term solution.

Support Seen & Unseen Aloud

Since Spring 2023, thousands of people have enjoyed hundreds of podcast episodes and over 1,000 articles. All for free. 
This is made possible through the generosity of our amazing community of supporters.

If you enjoy Seen & Unseen Aloud, would you consider making a gift towards our work?

Do so by joining Behind The Seen. Alongside other benefits, you’ll receive an extra fortnightly email from me sharing my reading and reflections on the ideas that are shaping our times.

Graham Tomlin
Editor-in-Chief