Viagra and CRISPR

Published: Nov. 5, 2018, 8:32 p.m.

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Viagra\\u2019s effects on men were first discovered as an unexpected side-effect during trials for a medication meant to help patients with a heart condition. CRISPR cas\\u2013 9 is now a tool that can be used to modify and replace genes \\u2013 but it was first noted as a random collection of genes. In the first of three episodes about the genius of accidents in science, Professor Adam Hart explores how, sometimes, the results you\\u2019re looking for are not as important as those that appear unexpectedly.

Picture: Test Tubes, Credit: Grafner/Getty Images

Producer: Rory Galloway

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