Science Facts & Fallacies

If you drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, a growing body of evidence suggests that your genetics may have predisposed you to those behaviors. Women are probably more empathetic than men, according to a new study. Is there an evolutionary explanation for this dichotomy? A recently developed HIV vaccine failed in clinical trials. Will we ever get an immunization against this deadly infection?

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 203 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Do you drink alcohol or smoke tobacco? Your genes may play a role

It's well known that drug use is a complex behavior influenced by a variety genetic and environmental factors. As time goes on, though, scientists are beginning to pin down the gene variants that influence someone's propensity to drink alcohol or smoke tobacco. Exactly how these genetic factors influence these habits remains a mystery. Nevertheless, researchers hope that deeper understanding of the genetics behind addiction could help identify people who should avoid certain substances, or perhaps develop therapies that reduce the risk of becoming addicted to harmful drugs.

* Are you good at perceiving other people’s perspectives? Women score higher than men on ‘cognitive empathy’ test

A study of several hundred thousand people across 57 countries indicates that biological sex influences our ability to empathize with others. Psychologists administered a test designed to gauge cognitive empathy, the ability to perceive how someone else feels, and consistently found that women, regardless of their cultural background, were better at empathizing with those around them. It's not clear why this dimorphism exists, though some have speculated that this trait conferred an evolutionary advantage that aided survival long ago.

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* Will an HIV vaccine ever be developed? Failure of Janssen Pharmaceuticals’ global testing raises doubts

Janssen Pharmaceuticals' once-promising HIV vaccine has failed in late-stage clinical trials, deflating hopes that we could soon  immunize at-risk populations against an infection that still kills an estimated 650,000 people ever year.

Are our current farming practices unsustainable? If so, how do we make them sustainable? Academic freedom enables researchers to pursue their work unencumbered by outside influence, but it's also abused by activist academics who promote unscientific ideas. How do we protect well-meaning scientists without allowing fringe voices to promote nonsense? Alternative health proponents have a new villain in their sights: a compound naturally in plants called oxalate. Is it really as bad as they claim? Nope.

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Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 200 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Viewpoint: Can large-scale agriculture overcome stigma it is not sustainable? Here’s a 10-step regulatory guide to make that happen

In order to feed a growing global population, we need to increase crop yields while reducing inputs and the environmental footprint of agriculture, says risk assessment expert Dr. David Zaruk. The Brussels-based researcher has advanced a 10-point plan that he says will help policymakers avoid "an increasing number of famines, food insecurity, migration and social strife" that could result if leaders in the European Union and elsewhere continue to promote large-scale organic farming, which is embraced for the sake of virtue signaling, not science. One important question remains: will the plan actually work?

* Viewpoint: MIT turns blind eye to misinformation on agricultural biotechnology and vaccines promoted by ‘infamous crank’ computer scientist Stephanie Seneff

Here's the dilemma: Academic freedom ensures that scientists can pursue their research wherever the data leads. Unfortunately, this concept has been abused by activists with university appointments, who use their institution's credibility to promote outright harmful ideas. Paradoxically, some schools have refused to defend researchers who do good work while allowing fringe voices in the academy to vocally deny the benefits of vaccination and proclaim that innocuous pesticides cause autism, among other scientifically dubious assertions. Is there a way to preserve academic freedom and prevent activist academics from spreading nonsense?

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* Dietary bogeyman? Is oxalate the root of dozens of food-related diseases — ...

A new gene-editing technique known as base editing may have helped doctor's cure a young girls "incurable" cancer. Why are so many companies afraid to stand up to environmental groups that attack their products with scientific misinformation? Is your child's school lunch tainted with harmful pesticides? There isn't a shred of evidence behind that allegation.



Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 200 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* ‘Zero detectable cancer cells’: Experimental CRISPR tool appears to cure 13-year-old’s ‘incurable’ leukemia

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an especially aggressive form of cancer. It progresses quickly, making the disease difficult to treat with standard therapies such as stem-cell transplants, radiation and chemotherapy. Fortunately, a novel gene therapy may give some patients and their doctors the upper hand they need to beat T-ALL. Using a relatively new gene-editing technique called base editing, researchers engineered a young patient's T-cells to target and attack the cancerous cells. This experimental treatment prevents the patient's immune system from destroying the modified T-cells; it also keeps the cells from attacking each other. So far, the patient, named Alyssa, has responded well to the therapy. Her cancer has not returned six months after she received this CAR-T therapy. That's a generally encouraging sign, but experts say the disease is more likely to return shortly after a seemingly successful treatment. The fact that it hasn't may indicate that Alyssa's cancer has been cured. Of course, only time will tell if her "incurable" disease has been cured.

* Viewpoint: Tobacconization of corporations — How green activist groups delegitimize industries regardless of the benefits of their products

Environmental activist groups have successful shut many companies out of public discussions about the safety of their products. Using a carefully orchestrated approach employed successfully against tobacco companies in years past, so-called "green groups" have attacked the makers of pesticides, cell phones, GM crops, baby powder and many other useful consumer and industrial products. Oddly, many of the firms targeted in this way have refused to defend themselves in the public square,

After years of delay, a genetically engineered chestnut tree may finally receive USDA approval. Is it headed for a new home in America's Appalachian forests? There's no evidence that Tylenol causes autism, but that hasn't stopped lawyers from filing lawsuits claiming it does. Did an mRNA COVID shot cause Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest? As of now, there is no evidence to support that speculation.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 200 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Biotech chestnut tree poised to restore lost ecosystems and biodiversity — But it needs your help

After many years of research and regulatory review, a blight-resistant, genetically engineered chestnut tree known as Darling 58 is poised to receive final approval from the USDA. The project was designed to reestablish the American chestnut (Castenea dentata), which dominated Appalachian forests for many years until a deadly fungal infection all but wiped out the tree in the last century. It was a key species that supported significant biological diversity; reviving the chestnut could yield the same environmental benefits today. What hurdles remain in the way of success, and when will scientists actually begin planting these biotech trees?

* Analysis: Acetaminophen linked to autism? Claims about the causes of this behavioral disease get weirder as scientists hone in on genes as driving culprit

We've all taken Tylenol for minor aches and pains without a second thought. It's one of the only pain relievers women can safely consume during pregnancy, and that, sadly, has made acetaminophen, the active ingredient, a target for opportunistic trial lawyers. All it took was a single study suggesting that children exposed to Tylenol during pregnancy were 19% more likely to have autism spectrum disorders compared to non-exposed children and the litigants were off to the races. The story underscores the fact that our legal system is routinely abused, forced to serve as a venue in which bad science gets an unjustified hearing.

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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.

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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

Are you ready to eat insects? Some scientists say it's time we get more protein from bugs and less from meat. CRISPR gene editing may help eliminate high cholesterol, potentially reducing the deadly threat posed by heart disease. Flu shots based mRNA technology may be coming to a drug near you.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 198 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Insect food? Public skepticism remains a major hurdle but here is the sustainability case for including them in our diet

Is it time for consumers in the developed world to make bugs a staple in our diets? Some scientists and policymakers have been vocal in their demands that we eat insects in order to reduce agriculture's contribution to climate change.  As is often the case with controversial ideas, two questions arise: does the science support this campaign to put mealworms on the menu, and will doing so really reduce our environmental footprint?

* Poor cholesterol? A gene-edited solution could lower ‘bad’ LDL and reduce heart disease risk

Millions of Americans suffer from high cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart disease. Although multiple treatments exist for high cholesterol, a novel CRISPR-based therapy may allow scientists to edit the gene that controls LDL levels, potentially eliminating the risk before it becomes a problem later in life. This gene-editing solution is many years from commercialization, but it's still tempting to speculate about how it may impact the interplay between genetics and environment that dictates our risk for heart disease.

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Do you want to clone your pet? There are companies that will do it for you—if you have a half-million dollars to spare. Drought-tolerant biotech crops have been developed and are grown around the globe. Why do anti-GMO groups continue to deny they exist? We need new antibiotics to control bacteria that have evolved resistance to the drugs we've used for decades. How do we spur the development of these desperately needed medicines?

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 197 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* ‘He’s more than just his DNA’: Cloning a beloved pet costs up to $500,000 — but there’s no guarantees when it comes to personality

The death of a family pet is a brutal experience for most of us. If you've ever wished that you could hit the reset button and give your dog, cat or even your prized bull a second chance—and you have anywhere from $50,000 to $500,000 laying around—there are companies that will harvest your pet's cells and use them to produce a clone of your fury family member. The problem? With just a 20 percent success rate, the process is hardly foolproof. And even if it works, Lassie 2.0 may not behave as you expect. It's a stark reminder that genetics doesn't dictate personality—even in our pets.

* Viewpoint: GM drought-tolerant crops: Here is one biotech innovation that only anti-GMO science rejectionists can demonize

Drought-tolerant biotech crops exist. Varieties of corn, wheat and soy have been developed and farmers around the world grow them every year. Why, then, do anti-GMO groups persist in claiming that biotechnology can't produce plants with drought tolerance? They're either unaware of the evidence or they just deny it. Neither option paints a flattering picture of these activist groups.

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Believe it or not, scientists are exploiting venom from snakes, snails and other poisonous critters to make life-saving medicines. Could genetically engineered soybeans reduce deforestation caused by palm-oil production? Sustainable, biodegradable plastics may be on the horizon, thanks to a slew of biotechnology innovations.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 196 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Life-saving venom? How deadly compounds can be used as medications

Sensible folks know it's wise to avoid poisonous snakes and other dangerous animals. What's not widely known, however, is that venom from these creatures has already yielded effective medications—for example, the first ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure. The list of important drugs we could derive from venom is seemingly endless and includes everything from non-addictive pain killers to affordable insulin found in the venom of snails.

* An alternative to harvesting environmentally-destructive palm oil? Here’s a biotech solution using soybeans

Producing palm oil in bioreactors using soybean cells could be one of the solutions that helps us reduce deforestation in west Africa and South America. The concept is simple in principle: using gene-editing technology, researchers engineer soybean to produce the oil we usually get from palm kernels. These souped-up soybean cells thrive on nitrogen and sugar and "grow" in laboratory bioreactors. The big hurdle may be energy consumption. Could electricity required to run the bioreactors offset some or all of the environmental benefits of this new palm oil source?

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Using body mass index (BMI) to assess a patient's health may yield misleading results and undermine public trust in medicine, researchers claim. Lab-grown meat has been heralded as solution to agriculture's environmental footprint, but the technology may not live up to the hype. One anthropologist says he's uncovered evidence suggesting that early humans ate each other. Did our ancestors really engage in cannibalism?

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 195 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Viewpoint: Do doctors rely on BMI too much? Undue focus on weight can lead to patient distrust and delayed care

Doctors and public health officials have used body mass index (BMI) to assess obesity for decades. In recent years, though, BMI has come under fire as an unreliable and unhelpful tool. Some researchers now argue that this single metric doesn't tell physicians very much about their patients' health. Urging overweight individuals to slim down based on BMI may "harm" them emotionally and discourage them from seeking medical care when they need it. Is it time to ditch BMI and replace it with more holistic measurements of health?

* Why sustainably-produced lab-grown meat might be a pipe dream

Is meat more sustainable if it's grown in a lab instead of raised on a farm? While there isn't enough evidence to conclusively answer that question, two other issues could limit the technology's impact on our dietary habits: cost and consumer acceptance. Producing meat in a laboratory is incredibly expensive at present, and many consumers have said they won't give up their traditionally produced steaks and burgers even if those foods could be mass produced without animals. Can the nascent "alternative protein" industry overcome these hurdles?

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* Ancient homo sapiens diets included grains, veggies… and other people? Cannibalism was the norm in early human societies

Although we consider cannibalism unthinkable today, recent anthropological research has uncovered "evidence of butchery, gnawing, filleting, and cooking on human bones at sites around the world," science writer Ross Pomeroy recently reported for BigThink. This data invites an uncomfortable question: did early humans eat each other?

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

The New York Times last week alleged that a high-profile scientist is in cahoots with the meat industry. Is there any truth to the allegation? Genetically engineered insulin was approved 40 years ago. What have we learned about drug regulation since then? Four gene therapies have received FDA approval so far. Will we see more of these novel medicines on the market in the coming years?

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 194 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Viewpoint: NY Times collaborates with Greenpeace in front page ‘hit piece’ targeting professor working to reduce the sustainability footprint of animal agriculture. Here’s his response

Repeating recent history, the New York Times last week attacked a widely respected scientist for allegedly taking money from corporations to defend their products. "He’s an Outspoken Defender of Meat. Industry Funds His Research, Files Show," the paper wrote about UC Davis air-quality specialist Dr. Frank Mitloehner. The problem? Nearly everything in the story was completely false.

* Viewpoint: Human insulin saga: Anomalous, successful 40-year history of the first genetically-modified medicine underscores how regulators can scuttle innovation

Insulin produced from genetically engineered microbes hit the market roughly four decades ago. It greatly expanded access to the hormone and earned regulatory approval in a record-breaking five months, instead of the usual 30 months. According to the FDA scientist who oversaw the approval of this novel drug, known commercially as "Humulin," the story illustrates the power of biotechnology to save lives—and how unnecessary regulation can stifle innovation.

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