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There are many scientific hurdles to be cleared before dreams of using animal organs for human transplants have a chance of becoming reality. While two teams of scientists report progress this week in developing the means to create genetically engineered pigs whose organs will be accepted by the human body, another group of researchers shows that the risk of transferring animal viruses to humans during transplants could be a real one. NPR's David Kestenbaum has more.

Veteran broadcaster Robert Trout continues his series, recalling his political coverage over the years to tell the history of the Democratic Party. Today, Trout remembers how radio coverage of the conventions changed the way the public perceived convention news. In 1948, Northern and Southern Democrats were sharply divided on issues of race, as the country listened in. When Southern delegates left the convention in a huff, it became known as the Dixiecrat walkout.

NPR's Martin Kaste reports Brazil is in shock, following an unexpected 3 - 0 loss to Chile in a qualifying match for the 2002 World Cup soccer championship. Brazil for many years dominated international soccer, holding more World Cup championships than any other country. The Brazilian team has been in trouble since losing to France in the 1998 championship match. After last night's loss, Brazil falls to fourth place in South American World Cup qualifying competition. It's expected that Brazil eventually WILL qualify, but just barely, something Brazilians find hard to accept.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says that President Clinton, having returned from looking back on his achievements at the Democratic National Convention, now faces some simmering international problems.

Tom Moon, a music reviewer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, reviews a new CD by Brazilian singer Joao Gilberto. (4:00) {STATIONS NOTE:} Joao voz e violao by Joao Gilberto, is on Verve records, catalog # 314 546 713-2. More info at www.vervemusicgroup.com

This week in Los Angeles, organized labor has played an active and enthusiastic role at the Democratic National Convention. But bringing the party home to working men and women, rallying them to get out and vote for Al Gore, remains a challenge for Gore and union officials. NPR's Don Gonyea reports from Los Angeles.

Gay civil rights activist Candace Gingrich talks about Mary Cheney -- the openly gay daughter of Republican Vice Presidential candidate Dick Cheney. Ms. Gingrich says that Mary is now in a difficult position because her father supports a GOP platform that is hostile to homosexuals. Candace also talks about her experience having a brother -- former House Speaker Newt Gingrich -- who is opposed to equal rights for homosexuals.

Scott speaks with reporter Alice Furlaud who remembers the 1960 Democratic National Convention. Alice was there, but missed, it seems, the most important events.

The city of Santa Monica was one of the first communities in the nation to discover that its underground water source was contaminated by the gasoline additive MTBE. Now they are suing seven major oil companies for the money to pay for the cleanup. Nova Safo reports from Santa Monica.

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports from Warsaw that a special tribunal today cleared former Polish president Lech Walesa of charges he collaborated with the communist-era secret police. The court ruled that in the early eighties, the Interior Ministry faked documents, casting Walesa as an informant, to undermine his chances of receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Thursday, the court also cleared the current president Alexander Kwasniewski, of similar charges of collaboration.