To the Point
Can We Map the Brain?
President Obama wants to do for the brain what the Human Genome Project did for genetics. But even scientists concede that "mapping the brain" is vastly more complex.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenPresident Obama wants to do for the human brain what the Human Genome Project did for Genetics. But even scientists backing the idea concede that "mapping the brain" is orders of magnitude more complex. How should it be funded? Is it possible? Would it give scientists powers nobody wants them to have? Also, a new report reveals widespread "fish fraud" across the country, and more than a month of rising prices for gasoline.
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In this episode
3 storiesReport Reveals Widespread 'Fish Fraud' across the Country
Academics, consumer groups and media outlets have had their suspicions for a long time, but the advocacy group Oceana has conducted the largest investigation to date. The finding: when you order seafood in restaurants and grocery stores across the United States, one third of the time you're not getting what you asked for.
Read the story8 minCan We Map the Brain?
John F. Kennedy's Race to the Moon led to a multi-billion-dollar industry. Mapping the Human Genome returned $140 for every $1 invested. Now President Obama wants to jump-start a "map" of the human brain, to find how each of 100 billion neurons relates to all of the others.
Read the story35 minIs $4 Gas the New Normal?
A month ago, a gallon of regular gasoline cost an average of $3.30. Now it's $3.75 nationwide — and well over $4 in California. In the winter, gas prices generally go down. But for the past 34 days, the AAA Auto Club reports they've been going up -- faster than at any time since 2005.
Read the story8 min
