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Gonads: The Primordial Journey

At two weeks old, the human embryo has only just begun its months-long journey to become a baby. The embryo is tiny, still invisible to the naked eye. But inside it, an epic struggle plays out, as a nomadic band of cells marches toward a mysterious destiny, with the future of humanity resting on their microscopic shoulders. If you happened to have caught this show on air, you can find the second half of our broadcast version here.  This episode was reported by Molly Webster, and produced by Jad Abumrad. With scoring and original composition by Alex Overington and Dylan Keefe. Additional production by Rachael Cusick, and editing by Pat Walters. The “Ballad of the Fish” and “Gonads” was composed and sung by Majel Connery, and produced by Alex Overington. Special thanks to Ruth Lehmann and Dagmar Wilhelm. Radiolab is supported in part by Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation initiative dedicated to engaging everyone with the process of science. And the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, enhancing public understanding of science and technology in the modern world. More information about Sloan at www.sloan.org. Support Radiolab today at Radiolab.org/donate.
Duration
34m
Broadcast on
15 Jun 2018
Audio Format
other

At two weeks old, the human embryo has only just begun its months-long journey to become a baby. The embryo is tiny, still invisible to the naked eye. But inside it, an epic struggle plays out, as a nomadic band of cells marches toward a mysterious destiny, with the future of humanity resting on their microscopic shoulders.

If you happened to have caught this show on air, you can find the second half of our broadcast version here. 

This episode was reported by Molly Webster, and produced by Jad Abumrad. With scoring and original composition by Alex Overington and Dylan Keefe. Additional production by Rachael Cusick, and editing by Pat Walters. The “Ballad of the Fish” and “Gonads” was composed and sung by Majel Connery, and produced by Alex Overington.

Special thanks to Ruth Lehmann and Dagmar Wilhelm.

Radiolab is supported in part by Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation initiative dedicated to engaging everyone with the process of science. And the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, enhancing public understanding of science and technology in the modern world. More information about Sloan at www.sloan.org.

Support Radiolab today at Radiolab.org/donate.


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RIDILEB is supported by AT&T. We all love to connect via video calls or texts. Right now, at AT&T, you can get the new iPhone 18 Pro for $0 with iPhone trade-in. Any condition. It has the ultimate pro camera system and big leap in battery life, so you can turn this deal into a long-lasting connection. Learn how you can trade in your iPhone for the new iPhone 18 Pro requires trade-in of iPhone 14 or higher, excluding iPhone 16E, an eligible plan. Terms and restrictions apply, subject to change, visit an AT&T store for details. Hi, I'm Robert Krollwich, Radio Lab is supported by CASPER. As we begin this episode on reproduction in the human body, check out the CASPER or the wave mattress, providing supportive comfort for all kinds of bodies. Visit CASPER.com/radiolab and use code radio lab at checkout to get $50 towards select mattresses, terms, and conditions apply. Hi, I'm Robert Krollwich, Radio Lab is supported by Audible. As we begin this episode on reproduction and development, check out how we do it. The evolution and future of human reproduction, go to audible.com/radiolab or text radio lab to 500-500 for a free 30-day trial and a free audiobook. Hey, this is Chad, very proud to present to you guys starting today here on Radio Lab. A mini-series from producer Molly Webster. Hi, I'm Molly Webster, for the last time, I don't know, I'd say three years, I've been doing a lot of reporting about how humans make more of themselves, right? Like science stories, ethical stories, and we came up with this idea that we're reporting only on reproduction for the next 10 years of radio lab, that what if we just put them all together in a series? And so we're about to do that. For the next month, we're going to do the series and the name of the series is gonads. I know what you're thinking, why? I'm going to ask you a question, you can say no. What do you think about the word gonads? Oh, that's a crazy question. It's almost like that word moist, where it gives you like a little, yes, that word does have certain connotations. What do you think of? Well isn't that nuts? It's a slang term for balls, balls, testicles. Testicles. Definitely balls. Definitely balls. We got cajon, it's just used in like stupid boy humor. So almost like toxic masculinity situation, you just think like sweaty balls and male jokes. Pretty much. Like kick you in the nads? Great. Would you think it has anything to do with ladies? No. No. Oh no. Did you know that ladies actually have gonads also?

Transcription truncated.

At two weeks old, the human embryo has only just begun its months-long journey to become a baby. The embryo is tiny, still invisible to the naked eye. But inside it, an epic struggle plays out, as a nomadic band of cells marches toward a mysterious destiny, with the future of humanity resting on their microscopic shoulders. If you happened to have caught this show on air, you can find the second half of our broadcast version here.  This episode was reported by Molly Webster, and produced by Jad Abumrad. With scoring and original composition by Alex Overington and Dylan Keefe. Additional production by Rachael Cusick, and editing by Pat Walters. The “Ballad of the Fish” and “Gonads” was composed and sung by Majel Connery, and produced by Alex Overington. Special thanks to Ruth Lehmann and Dagmar Wilhelm. Radiolab is supported in part by Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation initiative dedicated to engaging everyone with the process of science. And the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, enhancing public understanding of science and technology in the modern world. More information about Sloan at www.sloan.org. Support Radiolab today at Radiolab.org/donate.