Replaceable You

In this episode of 99% Invisible, Roman Mars interviews author Mary Roach about her new book, "Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy," which explores the science and design challenges of creating replacement parts for the human body. They discuss the difficulties of integrating replacement parts due to the immune system and clotting, the bias towards organic solutions, and examples of successful replacements like fecal microbiome transplants and intraocular lenses. Roach shares anecdotes from her research, including her experience in an iron lung and her attempt to transplant head hair onto her leg to demonstrate donor dominance. She also discusses the ethical considerations and demystification of tissue donation, as well as the reasons pigs are commonly used for organ replacement research. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the quest for "normal" function and the potential for greater acceptance of diverse solutions for bodily ailments.