The American Chernobyl, a Secret History of Lyme Disease

Frank chats with author Kris Newby to discuss her research into the relationship between the biological weapons program of the United States during the Cold War and the subsequent explosion of tick born diseases. Newby charts the life of scientist Willy Burgdorfer, who is credited with discovering the bacterial spirochete (named after him) that is thought to cause Lyme Disease. But her interviews with Burgdorfer and deep research into his lab work tell a much darker and more complex story of his involvement in the effort to weaponize ticks as vehicles for biological warfare. Kris Newby is the author of "BITTEN: THE SECRET HISTORY OF LYME DISEASE AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS." ​