Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas · Sean Carroll

Mary Roach on Replacing Parts of Our Bodies

September 15, 2025·1 hr 7 min·5 clips

Why did ancient civilizations start replacing noses due to a brutal form of punishment?

Sean Carroll interviews science writer Mary Roach about her book 'Replaceable You,' exploring the history and challenges of replacing human body parts, from ancient nose reconstructions to modern organ transplants and prosthetics. They discuss the complexity of biology, surprising historical anecdotes, and current advancements in bioengineering, emphasizing that while progress is being made, replacing body parts remains incredibly difficult.

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