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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

How one human gene could lead to the end of pain

Steven Pete has never felt pain, not even when he broke more than 70 bones in his body. Pam Costa feels pain constantly, even wearing clothes hurts. She has a rare condition that makes her skin feel like it’s always on fire. Pete and Costa both live in Washington State and are helping scientists identify a cure for pain without using opiates.

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By Madeleine Brand • Apr 25, 2017 • 1 min read

Steven Pete has never felt pain, not even when he broke more than 70 bones in his body. Pam Costa feels pain constantly, even wearing clothes hurts. She has a rare condition that makes her skin feel like it’s always on fire. Pete and Costa both live in Washington State and are helping scientists identify a cure for pain without using opiates.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

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    Sarah Sweeney

    Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Anna Scott

    Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

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    Jolie Myers

    Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

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    Erika Hayasaki

    Wired

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    Stephen Waxman

    Yale Medical School; Veterans Affairs Connecticut

    News
Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand