Beyond the Sequence: People, Pathogens, and Power Dynamics

The Infectious Science Podcast

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The cutting edge of infectious disease control isn't just about vaccines or treatments—it's increasingly about data. Dr. Stephen Molldrem, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Bioethics and Health Humanities, takes us deep into the world of pathogen genomics and the remarkable ethical questions that emerge when we sequence disease-causing microorganisms.
What happens when genetic analysis can potentially reveal who infected whom with HIV? Why do some communities welcome these technologies while others resist them? From the controversies surrounding HIV surveillance in America to the enthusiastic adoption of TB genomics in Botswana, Dr. Molldrem reveals how the same scientific tools can take on dramatically different meanings depending on context, trust, and community involvement.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the global adoption of pathogen sequencing, bringing terms like "variants" and "mutations" into everyday conversation. But this technological revolution has also revealed deep inequities—when South African scientists identified the Omicron variant and transparently shared this information, their reward was travel bans rather than support. This pattern reveals how scientific advancement doesn't happen in a vacuum but within complex social and political realities.
At the heart of Dr. Molldrem's work is a fundamental reminder: behind every genetic sequence is a person, a community, and a set of lived experiences. As one HIV advocacy slogan puts it, "We are people, not clusters." The challenge for public health isn't just implementing new technologies but doing so in ways that respect human dignity and build rather than undermine trust.
Whether you're fascinated by the science of disease tracking, concerned about health privacy, or interested in how new technologies reshape our understanding of outbreaks, this episode offers a thought-provoking journey through the socio-technical landscape of modern infectious disease control. Join us as we explore what happens when cutting-edge science meets complex human realities.

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Chapters

1. Beyond the Sequence: People, Pathogens, and Power Dynamics (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to One Health and Hosts (00:00:09)

3. Dr. Moldrum's Work in Health Ethics (00:03:38)

4. Understanding Science and Technology Studies (00:08:55)

5. Pathogen Genomics in Public Health (00:12:23)

6. HIV Surveillance and Treatment Evolution (00:19:40)

7. Media Coverage and COVID Variant Tracking (00:29:00)

8. The Politics of Pathogen Data (00:36:15)

9. TB Research in Botswana (00:51:25)

10. HIV Criminalization and Public Trust (01:07:51)

11. Book Recommendations and Closing (01:12:38)