2022 was a dynamic year for scientific progress. The James Webb space telescope, launched on Christmas day 2021, quickly helped researchers document the existence of thousands of ancient, distant galaxies—some perhaps 150 million years older than those previously identified. This and other discoveries enabled by the telescope have had a "transformative" impact on astronomy, as one expert put it recently. It's a story that beautifully illustrates how investment in basic science can yield monumental returns.

Meanwhile, back down on earth, the tides are beginning to turn in the legal battle over the weedkiller glyphosate. Once bamboozled by misleading cancer claims proffered by trial lawyers, juries are starting to make science-based decisions, returning six consecutive verdicts in favor of Bayer, the original manufacturer of glyphosate.

Follow the latest news and policy debates on sustainable agriculture, biomedicine, and other ‘disruptive’ innovations. Subscribe to our newsletter.

SIGN UP

In the world of public health, the COVID-19 pandemic continues thanks to ever-evolving variants, most recently omicron, that have posed a real challenge to the vaccines and anti-viral drugs developed to combat the novel infection. The situation has also raised awkward questions about how state and national governments responded to SARS-CoV-2 and what they could do to improve when the next pandemic hits, which it inevitably will sooner or later.

One of the few silver linings of the pandemic, as well as the war in Ukraine, may be that resulting supply chain disruptions have boosted support for agricultural technologies such as gene editing, which can help address food shortages in times of crisis.

How will these stories develop in the new year? Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 199 of Science Facts and Fallacies to find out:

 

Kevin M. Folta is a professor, keynote speaker and podcast host. Follow Professor Folta on Twitter @kevinfolta

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow ACSH on Twitter