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Mary Roach on the Science of Swapping Human Parts

Mary Roach on the Science of Swapping Human Parts

How Hard is it to Replace a Body Part, Anyway?

Science Quickly

September 24, 202511m 5s

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Show Notes

In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman explores the age-old quest to replace failing human body parts with science writer Mary Roach. From ancient surgery to modern medical marvels, Roach shares insights from her new book Replaceable You, revealing why replicating our original anatomy is still one of medicine’s greatest challenges.

Recommended Reading

Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy, by Mary Roach. W. W. Norton, 2025

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Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Jeff DelViscio. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check the show. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.

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