Science Facts & Fallacies

Bad research in peer-reviewed journals is undermining the public's trust in science. What can experts do to stop the flow of flawed science into academic publications? It's the time of year when activist groups, with the media's help, scare the public about pesticides on food. Is the produce in your grocery store safe? Absolutely. Let's take a close look at the evidence.

Podcast:

Join host  GLP contributor Cameron English and guest host Dr. Kevin Folta on episode 255 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Part I — Viewpoint: Why is trust in scientific research at an all time low?

Scientists have identified a troubling trend in peer-reviewed journals that publish original research: a growing number of the studies found in these publications are nonsense. Sometimes this is the result of outright fraud—cases where researchers fabricate or distort data. In other instances, it's an honest mistake that undermines the reliability of a study. Whatever the cause in a particular instance, unreliable research is a critical problem for two reasons. It pollutes the body of evidence we use to make public policy and solve practical problems, like treating disease. Bad studies also sow public distrust in scientific institutions. We need to resolve crisis as soon as possible. But how do we do it?

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

SIGN UP

* Viewpoint: Feeding your child 2,000 nectarines or 340 apples in one day? Environmental Working Group claims about the dangers of conventionally-grown produce are scientifically absurd

Pesticides approved for use in the US are carefully tested for safety before they enter the market, and then carefully monitored by regulators at multiple federal agencies. Moreover, independent research consistently shows that trace amounts of pesticides in our food don't pose a risk to human health. Each year, though, a handful of NGOs led by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) warn Americans that their food supply is tainted by potentially dangerous chemicals. Their disingenuous claims don't stand up to scrutiny.

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

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit

Technological innovations continue to debunk predictions that global population growth will lead to mass starvation. Some mental health experts are concerned that widespread internet access is exacerbating the effect of disorders like schizophrenia. Urban farming has attracted a large following of city dwellers committed to sustainability. Unfortunately, growing vegetables on rooftops in major cities probably isn't a climate-friendly alternative to conventional agriculture.

Podcast:

Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 254 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Analysis: Climate activists issue scare-warnings of impending starvation, but they ignore technology’s future role in scaling productivity

For more than 50 years, a radical strain of the environmental movement has predicted mass starvation as the global population outstrips the world's ability to produce enough food to feed billions of people. These predictions have failed spectacularly. Thanks to significant innovations, especially in crop breeding and chemistry, we're able to grow more food on less land today than anyone could have anticipated half a century ago. Why, then, do so many people continue to believe a hunger-induced doomsday is around the corner?

* Delusion and technology: How the internet exacerbates schizophrenia and other mental health problems

Widespread access to information through the internet is both an incredible blessing and sometimes a curse. One oft-overlooked example of the latter involves people battling serious psychological disorders such as schizophrenia. The condition is sometimes characterized by persistent belief in irrational ideas; for instance, the possibility that a patient is receiving coded messages through the radio. Some mental health experts fear that the free exchange of conspiratorial claims online could amplify the symptoms schizophrenics may experience, and they're trying to devise treatments for their patients that account for the effects of our digitally connected world.

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

SIGN UP

* Urban farming sounds great in theory — but releases more CO2 than conventional agriculture. Here’s what needs to change

Cultivating a small farm on the rooftop of your apartment may seem like a sustainable way to grow food, but recent research suggests that urban agriculture is anything but earth friendly.

Neuralink has successfully implanted its "brain–computer interface" in a human patient. Elon Musk says the results so far are "promising." What does that mean exactly? CNN recently exaggerated the risk of COVID boosters, undermining efforts to quell groundless fears about the shots. Weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy have proven to be both effective and popular, but critics say these pharmaceuticals raise serious ethical concerns that must be addressed.

Podcast:

Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 253 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Elon Musk’s Neuralink implanted in a human, who is recovering well, billionaire tweets

Incendiary billionaire Elon Musk says his goal with Neuralink is to “achieve a symbiosis with artificial intelligence” using implantable brain–computer interfaces. In essence, the company aims to implant chips in people's brains so they can operate computers with their thoughts. Widespread use of this technology is a long way off, but Neuralink's coin-sized microchip, known as "Telepathy," could sooner improve the lives of quadriplegics, patients who experience paralysis in all four limbs. One individual has already received the implant, and Musk says the next step is a six-year clinical trial to determine if the product is a viable long-term treatment. 

* Another lesson from the news coverage of COVID: How poorly-written headlines can adversely impact the lives of readers

The media routinely misreport scientific facts to the public. But even when news stories are more or less correct, their headlines can still be misleading—a serious issue since so many people only read headlines. CNN published a case study late last year in a story reporting a rare risk associated with COVID and flu vaccines in the elderly. The article rightly reported that fewer than three people out of 100,000 experienced stroke after receiving both shots—an exceedingly low incidence rate. However, the story's title implied that the COVID booster significantly increased the risk of stroke for older patients. Moral of the story? Headline writers should read the article before composing its title.

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

SIGN UP

* Viewpoint: Weight loss drug boom raises host of unaddressed ethical and scientific questions

Initially developed as treatments for type 2 diabetes, Ozempic and Wegovy are now widely used as effective interventions for obesity.

Can marijuana make your workout better? Probably not, according to a recent study. Four science publications produce a large swath of the anti-biotech, anti-chemical research and commentary we see in the headlines. Is Bill Gates trying to force everyone to eat insects instead of meat?

Podcast:

Video:



Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 252 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Can cannabis make your workout more productive?

Some people say using cannabis before they exercise improves their workout by reducing pain and improving their mood. But does the drug actually enhance the effects of exercise? A team of researchers from the University of Colorado, Boulder, put that claim to the test. They asked 42 recreational marijuana users to consume CBD or THC, chemicals naturally found in cannabis, and then report how they felt during 30 minutes of running on a treadmill. The results will probably disappoint weed aficionados.

* Viewpoint: Whitewash — How four obstructionist journals and their academic enablers are corrupting reporting on the science of chemicals and crop biotechnology

Many of the claims used to attack crop biotechnology and pesticides originate in one of four science publications. While these outlets have all the academic trappings of scholarly journals, they're actually predatory websites that will publish almost any study or opinion article if the authors are willing to pay. This pay-for-play arrangement, as its known, gives activists a platform to amplify their unscientific claims to an unsuspecting public. What can we do to quell this harmful impact?

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

SIGN UP

* Bill Gates and bug-eating: Conspiracy theory claims billionaire wants to replace cattle industry with insect protein. What’s the truth?

The internet is awash in claims that Bill Gates and other billionaires are conspiring to force average people to eat insects instead of meat. Some reporters and fact-checkers have pushed back on these allegations, labeling them conspiracy theories promoted by right-wing political pundits. Let's try to settle the dispute by looking at the evidence. Is mandatory bug eating Alex Jones-inspired fiction, or is there actually some truth to it?

Dr. Liza Dunn is a medical toxicologist and the medical affairs lead at Bayer Crop Science. Follow her on X @DrLizaMD

Cameron J.

Good hygiene is important, but too much of it might be contributing to chronic disease in developed countries. A data breach at 23andMe has geneticists and cybersecurity experts speculating about the dangers of amassing genetic data online. Are environmental activists colonizing Africa by trying to ban GM crops and synthetic pesticides from the continent?

Podcast:

Video:



Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 251 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* ‘Overly sanitized’ environments? Unraveling why diseases tied to chronic inflammation are spiking in the developed world

Personal hygiene is a simple but essential tool in the never-ending battle to prevent the spread of disease. But as with everything, balance is key. Recent research suggests that wealthy societies are too clean: our zealotry to avoid germs has prevented our immune systems from learning how to fight potentially harmful microbes we're routinely exposed to. The result, according this hypothesis, is chronic, low-grade inflammation which may contribute to a whole host of illnesses, including heart disease and stroke.

* In wake of 23andMe DNA data breach, privacy concerns reemerge

Late last year, hackers breached some 14,000 23andMe accounts by acquiring user passwords. Although no information stored on the website was stolen, hackers ultimately gained access to the ancestry data of nearly seven million users, and related health records in a subset of cases. The scandal has raised important questions about how individuals can protect their DNA data, not just from would-be thieves but also corporations and governments that may legally access the information. For instance, how do you stop a health care provider from sharing your genetics with a pharmaceutical company for marketing purposes?

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

SIGN UP

* Viewpoint: Are corporations and Western countries shackling African agriculture to suit their interests, as anti-GMO groups claim? Or are the activists doing the shackling?

Activist groups have alleged for decades that agriculture companies "hook" farmers in developing countries on their expensive but ineffective biotech seeds and synthetic pesticides. This arrangement, they claim, gives Western companies control of food production in these nations, enslaving them to "Big Ag." But what if it's the other way around?

A decades-long campaign alleges that BPA, a chemical used to manufacture many plastic products, is dangerous. There is no evidence to support that allegation, and there never was. A large body of research shows that artificial sweeteners can help people lose weight, so why does the press continue to speculate about the harms of these "fake sugars"? It takes many years and costs hundreds of millions of dollars to discover and commercialize new pesticides. Why is the process so expensive and so time-consuming?

Podcast:

Video:



Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 250 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Anti-GMO activists take page out of anti-chemical and anti-BPA lobby, targeting the ‘black box’ of endocrine disruption

There are striking similarities between the campaigns against GM crops and BPA. That's because critics of agricultural biotechnology utilized the "playbook" of anti-BPA activists to attract media attention and public support for their cause. While there is zero credible evidence that either technology causes harm in real-world settings, a cohort of committed activists continues to insist that both should be banned. Why have these tactics been so effective, and how can scientists counter them today?

* Sucralose, aspartame, stevia: With the use of sugar substitutes continuing to rise, questions mount about their impact on diets

The evidence is clear at this point: artificial sweeteners promote weight loss without causing any serious side effects in the vast majority of cases. Nevertheless, mainstream news reports continue to speculate about the potential harms of so-called "fake sugars," alleging they could damage the gut microbiome and increase the risk of diabetes, stroke and coronary heart disease. Let's fact-check the fact-checkers and examine what the science really says about artificial sweeteners.

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

SIGN UP

* If a viable herbicide was discovered this year, farmers couldn’t use it until at least 2035’: Why new weedkillers take so long to hit store shelves

On average, it takes several decades of research and $250 million to discover and commercialize a new weedkiller.

Sustainable agriculture advocates are split over the potential benefits of cell-based meat. Why are these longtime allies divided over this fledgling technology? Marijuana legalization has given rise to a growing industry dubbed "Big Weed" by critics. How worried should we be about the pot business and the intoxicating products it markets? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently published a hotly contested report on biotech crops and pesticides. Experts fear it could mislead parents about the safety of America's food supply.

Podcast:

Video:

Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 249 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Cell-based, lab grown meat is splitting food and agricultural sustainability communities. Here’s why

Cell-based meat, produced in a laboratory rather than on a farm, has been hailed as a massive step forward for earth-friendly food production, though not everybody is excited about the technology. Many scientists worry the industry won't be able to deliver on its sustainability marketing, owing to the high costs and energy consumption that come with its products. Advocates of cell-based meat say these criticism are overblown. Let's take a closer look at the evidence.

* ‘Big Weed’: How today’s cannabis landscape mirrors tobacco companies in the 1950s

Once a largely underground industry, marijuana has grown into a multi-billion-dollar business driven by retail and online dispensaries that market a broad array of products. Some public health activists say the marketing claims used to sell this recently legalized cannabis are misleading, and the products themselves (ranging from vape pens to gummies and even THC-laced beverages) pose a serious threat to children's health. This burgeoning industry should therefore be regulated like the tobacco industry, critics argue.

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

SIGN UP

* Are children and pregnant women risking their health by eating “GMO” foods? The American Association of Pediatrics controversially says ‘yes’. The real question: Is the AAP endangering the food vulnerable?

The (American Academy of Pediatrics) AAP has a reputation for disseminating science-based guidance on vaccines, nutrition and other vitally important children's health topics. Unfortunately, the organization in recent years has joined the chorus of activist groups that spreads misinformation about crop biotechnology and pesticides. Its recent clinical report on those topics was blasted by experts for repeating cl...

Thousands of pending lawsuits allege that the weedkiller paraquat causes Parkinson's Disease (PD), a connection its manufacturer tried to hide from regulators and the public for many years. "Documents unveiled as part of ongoing court proceedings in California show that [the chemical company] Syngenta has spent decades investigating the potential side effects of its product," the LA Times reported in December. "This research has sometimes contradicted public statements issued by the company."

These allegations have attracted major media attention, but there's an awkward fact rarely mentioned in the headlines: a large body of research has failed to produce any solid evidence that paraquat exposure causes Parkinson's.

Podcast:

Video:



Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 248 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down this recent GLP feature:

* Phony Whistleblower Gambit: This is how far some environmental activist groups are willing to go to corrupt science for money and ideological gain

Only available to licensed pesticide applicators, paraquat was used in agriculture without incident for many years. Long after it was commercialized, however, scientists discovered the herbicide was chemically very similar to an impurity found in illicit opioids that caused Parkinson-like symptoms in several recreational drug users. This discovery fueled rampant speculation about the risks of paraquat exposure, though subsequent research showed that the herbicide doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier efficiently enough to cause the neurological damage at the root of PD.

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

SIGN UP

Studies have also shown that workers at paraquat manufacturing plants, individuals with the highest exposure to the chemical, are no more likely to develop Parkinson's than the general population. With this data in mind, is there any additional evidence that can help settle the dispute about paraquat and Parkinson's? Let's take a closer look at the science and politics surrounding this controversial herbicide.

Dr. Liza Dunn is a medical toxicologist and the medical affairs lead at Bayer Crop Science. Follow her on X @DrLizaMD

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Cou...

Exaggerated media coverage distorts the public's understanding of critically important scientific issues, and the consequences can be dire. How do we combat the harmful effects of sloppy science journalism? There's no evidence that the weedkiller glyphosate harms pregnant women (or anyone else for that matter), but that hasn't stopped reporters from trying to embroil the controversial pesticide in yet another scandal.

Podcast:

Video:



Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 247 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Viewpoint: ‘Following sensationalism’ — How media distort science, influencing courts and regulators

It's a familiar formula: questionable study makes an exaggerated claim about a chemical; reporters uncritically promote the study's conclusion; courts and regulators restrict or ban said chemical in a bid to appease consumers misled by the hyperbolic media coverage. Reporters need to do a better job of conforming their science and health coverage to the available evidence. Since they won't do it themselves, what can scientists and informed laypeople do to hold the media accountable?

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

SIGN UP

* Glyphosate can harm pregnant women living near farms? Carelessly-written article based on the same authors’ more sober academic study shows how misinformation metastasizes

Glyphosate is arguably the most-studied chemical in history, with thousands of papers published over five decades showing that it poses minimal risk to the public, including pregnant women. Nevertheless, headlines routinely assert that mothers and their unborn children could be harmed by exposure to the herbicide. The claim is usually based on low-quality research unworthy of the glowing media coverage it receives. Let's examine a textbook example of a recent study involving women who live near farms and the Conversation's misleading reporting about the research.

Dr. Liza Dunn is a medical toxicologist and the medical affairs lead at Bayer Crop Science. Follow her on X @DrLizaMD

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow him on X @camjenglish

Speculation persists about the causes of autism thanks to an explosion in the number of cases that have been diagnosed in recent years. Why are so many more children diagnosed today than in previous decades? Veterans battling crippling PTSD may benefit from treatment with psychedelic drugs, but lingering scientific and legal obstacles could prevent us from finding out for certain. Is alcoholism inherited? Some studies support that conclusion, though it could just be a classic case of confusing correlation for causation.

Podcast:

Video:



Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 246 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Autism increase mystery solved? No, it’s not vaccines, GMOs, glyphosate—or organic foods

There's no doubt that the number of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) cases has skyrocketed in recent decades, going from one child in 2,000 being diagnosed in the 1970s to roughly one in 250 eight years olds today. The increase has given rise to rampant speculation about the environmental factors that may contribute to the spectrum of conditions. Everything from pesticides and vaccines to assisted reproductive technologies and maternal alcohol consumption have been identified as possible causes, although none of these correlations have withstood scientific scrutiny. Have we learned more about the causes of ASD, or are we still grasping at straws?

* Psychedelics could help veterans with PTSD, anxiety and depression. Breakthroughs and dropping of taboos opening new treatment possibilities

Military veterans suffering from PTSD and related psychiatric disorders may benefit from the use of psychedelic drugs like MDMA. Preliminary research and anecdotal evidence have been promising, suggesting that psychedelics may cure these debilitating conditions in some cases, though additional research is needed to understand the long-term impacts of these treatments, including their side effects. There's a bipartisan effort underway in Congress to roll back regulations that restrict how these substances are studied and utilized in clinical settings, but it remains to be seen if psychedelics can live up to their hype.

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

SIGN UP

* Can alcoholism be inherited?

Children of alcoholics are four times more likely than other children to become alcoholics. That observation has fueled investigations to uncover a genetic basis for alcohol use disorder (AUD). While there is no definitive answer yet, studies have linked mutations in genes related to alcohol metabolism to an individual's risk f...