Monday 13 December 2010

Interview: Quirks & Quarks

I've been interviewed by Bob McDonald of CBC's national radio program Quirks & Quarks. The interview will air on Saturday Dec 18, 2010. You can check air times on the CBC website, CBC.ca, or listen to the podcast later!










11 comments:

  1. Dear Dr. Drisdelle,

    That was a grand interview. I took a 6 credit Parasitology course at Concordia, years ago.

    Boy did your interview with Bob McDonald make my skin crawl again. trypanosomes, shistosomiasis, guinae worm, Baylisascaris. I'll never look at a raccoon the same way again. Though I was acutely aware of Toxoplasmosis and kids sand boxes. (sp?) (I thought they were fascinating under the microscope anyway) We used Noble and Noble.
    Glad you included our symbiotic immune benefits due to some.

    Gary (Montreal)

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  2. Hello Rosemary,
    I listened to your fascinating interview on Quirks and Quarks today. Your discussion about Toxoplasma gondii was particularly interesting, especially regarding behavioural changes in infected individuals. A couple of observations came to mind: 1. If infection makes rodents less fearful of cats, is it possible that infection in cats made them less fearful of humans and allowed domestication thousands of years ago?
    2. Did you see the recent article in either the Globe and Mail or the Chronicle Herald about the woman with a very damaged amygdala who apparently experiences no fear?
    I look forward to reading your book and wish you all the best for Christmas.

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  3. I just found out about this show from a friend. I wondered if what I am suffering from could be due to racoons? We have a lot of them around our place. I have been suffering from neurological problems and have had an MRI where they noticed demyleination of areas of the spinal cord. Kate

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  4. The medical literature to date doesn't provide evidence of this type of disease from the raccoon roundworm Baylisascaris. Your diagnosis is probably better left in the hands of the neurology experts. All the best.

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  5. Interesting points. I'm not sure if there have been any studies that looked at behavioral changes in cats but it does seem logical that the parasite would have some effect. That's thought provoking.

    I hope you enjoy the book!

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  6. Thanks for listening! Merry Christmas.

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  7. Hi,
    I've been (morbidly?) fascinated since I happened on mulitfarious black and white plates of parasites in the 1958(?) Encyclopedia Brittanica resident in my childhood home. Gruesome but fascinating. The volume 'P' never lost its thrill factor! I particularly remember an entire goat's skull with horns intact sectioned across the now brainless brainpan occupied by a large and well-fed worm. My vet has a wall calendar of microscopic parasites which are most beautiful.
    Your truthy tale of the origins of 'white trash' deserves a wider dissemination: as Dickens reminded us, we should fear that child named ignorance most of all.
    Great interview, great stories, and you make me proud: a woman and a Canadian scientist of note.

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  8. I agree that images of parasites are frequently both fascinating and beautiful. I've often thought they have great potential for art, but unfortunately few people view them in that light! Thanks for listening to the interview and for your kind words here.

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  9. Dear Rosemary,
    I absolutely enjoyed your interview with Bob on CBC Radio. I have shared the interview with others. And I will put in a request for your book at our Public Library.

    Be Well,
    and a Happy New Year 2011...just don't let the bed bugs bite!

    Monique

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  10. Thanks so much for your comment Monique, and for telling others about the book. I hope you enjoy reading it.

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  11. Rosemary,

    Your book has been purchased (5x) by several of the local libraries here in Victoria, BC.

    I have a copy.

    Be Well,

    Monique

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