A drug given once monthly as an injection could drastically reduce opioid use in the US. Why is it so difficult for doctors to access? It might be possible to turn our wasted food into a sustainable source of energy. Are diets a thing of the past? Newly developed medicines appear to be as effective as bariatric surgery in treating obesity.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 167 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Once-a-month injection to control opioid addiction? Buprenorphine has shown enormous promise

Buprenorphine has helped many people overcome opioid addiction. Ideally given monthly as an injection, the drug binds opioid receptors, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, as well as the risk of overdose if someone takes a high dose of an illicit substance like fentanyl. Unfortunately, patients often struggle to access Buprenorphine because burdensome federal regulations restrict which pharmacies can dispense it and which doctors can prescribe it. Could changing these policies save lives?

* The world wastes billions of tons of food each year. Here’s how we can transform it into clean energy

Climate change is a serious problem, and so are the billions of tons of food waste we produce annually. Emerging research suggests that we may be able to address both of these challenges simultaneously—by turning food waste into carbon-neutral energy. How viable is this proposal, and what hurdles prevent it from coming to fruition?

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* Tirzepatide: Drug that can help you shed 50 pounds or more is as effective as bariatric surgery and in trials

It's no secret that losing weight and keeping it off permanently poses a significant challenge to millions of people, jeopardizing public health and driving up health care costs. A new drug making its way through clinical trials on the way to FDA approval may prove to be a vital tool in the fight against obesity. Recent research shows that tirzepatide improves glycemic control in adult type-2 diabetics, helping severely overweight patients lose up to 22 percent of their body weight—50 pounds in some cases. Can the drug live up to the hype surrounding these promising results?

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

There's a "toxic 10" group of chemicals lurking in every single food you consume. Listen in to find out what you should know about these ubiquitous substances. Could gene editing reverse some cases of heart disease? Finally, can you predict a dog's behavior based on which breed it belongs to? A new study says no.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 167 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Scared to death: These ‘Toxic Ten’ chemicals have been widely detected in many commonly-consumed fruits and vegetables

These 10 substances can literally kill you if you consume them in large enough quantities. They're found in every single food you eat, organic and conventional, and there's no product label that could help you avoid them in the grocery store. Each has a challenging chemical name, but all of them can be classified as—vitamins. Eaten in the reasonable amounts found in plants and animals, vitamins are of course perfectly safe and necessary for good health. Nonetheless, the toxic 10 illustrates just how misleading claims about "harmful chemicals in food" can be.

* Understanding genetic basis for heart disease opens up opportunity for gene editing solution

People who carry certain mutations in the PCSK9 gene are predisposed to develop very high (and potentially harmful) levels of LDL cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease. Thanks to advances in gene-editing, these patients in the coming years may have access to a one-time treatment that corrects the troublesome mutation responsible for their abnormally elevated cholesterol levels. Are we moving closer to an outright cure for heart disease?

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GMO grapes exist, so why can't we buy them? Farmers in the Philippines have access to disease-fighting Golden Rice after more than two decades of delay. Why does the FDA continue to regulate gene-edited animals as if they're drugs? There isn't a bit of data to justify the agency's position.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 167 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Viewpoint: GMO grapes could be engineered to cut pesticide use and reduce pest damage. Why are they not yet commercialized?

Researchers have been developing genetically engineered, disease-resistant grapes for several decades. A deep commitment to tradition in the wine industry and lingering anti-GMO fears among consumers have delayed progress. But with winegrowers facing growing pest threats, this technology may finally get a chance to prove its efficacy on the vineyard. Is there a GMO-derived wine in our future?

* Vitamin-A enhanced Golden Rice distributed for planting for the first time in the Philippines

Golden Rice is poised to make a serious dent in rates of vitamin A deficiency in southeast Asia, potentially saving many young children from blindness, disease and early death. Decades of dishonest activism and excessive regulatory scrutiny have kept the enhanced crop out of the developing countries that desperately need it. But, finally, farmers in the Philippines have gained access to the enhanced rice, which means it's a major step closer to helping the people who stand to benefit most from consuming it.

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Plant-based and cell-based meats have been sold as sustainable alternatives to animal products, but are they really as good as their proponents claim? A growing body of research indicates that intermittent fasting (IF) can help some people lose weight and improve their metabolic health. Just how good is IF? Do genetically engineered crops promote monocultures? Let's debunk this popular myth for good.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 167 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Viewpoint: Is cell-based meat oversold as a sustainability solution?

Is "alt-protein," meat made from plants, fungi and animal cells, a viable tool in our fight against climate change? The evidence isn't as clear as proponents of Impossible burgers and similar products say. When we consider all the data, what can we say with confidence about the benefits of alternative proteins?

* Most humans eat three meals a day. Is that what’s best for our health?

Many of us take for granted that eating three meals a day is optimal. As it turns out, three squares a day is more a cultural artifact than a science-based conclusion. Some people do indeed thrive when they eat frequently throughout the day, but others may do just fine on one or two meals a day. The fact of the matter seems to be this: the "right" eating habits likely differ based our genetic makeup and individual preferences.

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* Does crop genetic engineering promote monoculture, as anti-GMO activists claim?

Does growing the same crop year over year jeopardize our food system? There is some validity to this concern hypothetically; however,

Treating vaccine-hesitant individuals like they are hardcore vaccine "deniers" could backfire as a science-outreach strategy. Can the food you eat actually change your DNA? Biotechnology gave us effective COVID-19 vaccines, and it may prove even more useful when the next global health crisis arrives.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 166 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Misinformation or disinformation? Deniers or skeptics? How the GMO and vaccine controversies are undermining science communication

Are all science "deniers" created equal? According to risk expert Dr. David Zaruk, the answer is no. Many people may have doubts about the safety or efficacy of a new drug, though their uncertainty isn't motivated by the intense ideological commitments that usually drive genuine vaccine denialism. By blurring the distinctions between these two groups, science advocates risk alienating the merely vaccine hesitant and driving them into the arms of more radical anti-vaccine activists. How do we combat the ideologues while simultaneously winning the trust of open-minded consumers who have legitimate questions about vaccination?

* Nutrigenomics: Can what you eat reprogram your genes?

"You are what you eat," the old saying goes. But to what extent does your diet actually modify the expression of your genes? Some preliminary animal studies have offered helpful clues. We also know, for example, that exposure to toxin-producing molds in food can cause cancer, though definitive answers about how specific nutrients affect human DNA remain elusive. So when it comes to "nutrigenomics," how much of the field is good science and how much is speculation?

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* Why biotechnology will be critical in preparing for the next health crisis

Biotechnology proved its value during the COVID pandemic by allowing scientists to rapidly engineer and mass produce effective vaccines. When the next global health crisis hits, and it will inevitably hit, biotech experts anticipate that AI-powered modeling will help us anticipate how a dangerous pathogen may spread,

Is there a science-based case for organic farming? One professor says yes, but how compelling are his arguments? Environmental Working Group (EWG) is back with its annual 'Dirty Dozen' list, and experts are again criticizing EWG for unnecessarily scaring consumers away from safe fruits and vegetables. Ten years after receiving a novel gene therapy, children diagnosed with a rare immune disorder are symptom free. Have they been cured?

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 164 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Viewpoint: A science-backed case in support of organic farming

Critics of organic farming are quick to point out its deficiencies. Growers generally have to cultivate more land to produce the same amount of food that conventional farmers do, meaning that organic agriculture has a higher environmental footprint. Moreover, there is little evidence that organic crops are more nutritious than their conventional counterparts, though they tend to cost significantly more.

Nonetheless, advocates maintain that there is sound science behind organic farming and insist it has an important role to play in global food production. Do they have a convincing case?

* Viewpoint: Why scientists and health experts believe you can ignore the Environmental Working Groups’s Dirty Dozen list

Each year, the Environmental Working Group publishes its “Dirty Dozen,” a list of fruits and vegetables that contain the highest levels of pesticide. Mainstream news outlets like CNN uncritically report EWG's results to the public. What they don't mention is that health experts see little value in using the Dirty Dozen to guide your grocery shopping. The reality is that essentially every product on the shelves of your local supermarket is perfectly safe; exceptions to this rule are few and far between.

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A major university recently halted a science outreach event because the invited speakers were white men. Has so-called "cancel culture" finally come for science communication? Genetic engineering may help stop the spread of avian flu and alleviate cat allergy symptoms, but will these powerful tools ever receive FDA approval?

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 164 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Silencing Science: NC State Cancels Panel Discussion to Appease Woke Activists

NC State recently cancelled an event designed to teach science-outreach techniques to graduate students. The reason? The three-member expert panel consisted of white men, which a handful of social-justice activists on Twitter found unbearable. Instead of allowing the student-invited speakers to present, the school caved to political pressure. What does this development tell us about the state of America's universities? And could the situation hinder efforts to promote science literacy among the general public?

* Viewpoint: There is a solution to the devastating poultry pandemic – but anti-technology activist groups and outdated regulations are blocking it

A new strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has devastated America's poultry industry in recent years. Over 50 million domestic chickens and turkeys were killed by the virus just in 2015, an estimated loss of $3.3 billion. Scientists have engineered birds that cannot catch or spread HPAI, though the technology is unlikely to be commercialized in the near future. The FDA maintains tight restrictions on genetically engineered animals—in large part to avoid legal battles with anti-GMO activists groups.

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* ‘Here, CRISPR critter’: How to gene edit a hypo-allergenic cat

Allergic to cats? There may be a genetic engineering solution for that, too. Using CRISPR gene editing, scientists can delete two genes that encode a protein called Fel d 1, which is secreted by glands in the animal’s skin, mouth, eyes, and anus and thought to cause the horrific symptoms that afflict people with cat allergies.

A controversial study recently suggested that artificial sweetener consumption may be linked to elevated cancer risk. Have food-safety regulators overlooked this danger? Canada's lingering vaccine mandate may interfere with the upcoming MLB season. We've all been told high cholesterol boosts our risk of heart disease; evidence gathered in recent years indicates that cholesterol numbers may not mean what we think they mean.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 162 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Do artificial sweeteners fuel cancer? New data reignites the debate

The evidence has consistently shown that artificial sweeteners, typically used in diet sodas and other low-calorie foods, are safe for human consumption. Every so often, though, a study challenging this consensus hits the headlines. A new paper, published in PLoS Medicine, suggested that artificial sweetener consumption boosted an individual's cancer risk 13 percent, the equivalent of three additional cancer cases per 10,000 people over eight years.

But even assuming those numbers are valid may be a mistake. Experts were quick to point out serious flaws in the paper, including the fact that higher sweetener consumption was associated with fewer cases of all cancers. Why was there such a major mismatch between the study's results and the news stories they generated?

* Baseball’s COVID problem: Unvaccinated players won’t be allowed in Canada to play against Toronto Blue Jays

While most US jurisdictions have dropped their COVID vaccine mandates, Canada continues to require proof of immunization to enter the country. The policy creates a potentially serious roadblock for Major League Baseball teams, because a sizeable minority of players, including some of the league's biggest stars, remain unvaccinated. With opening day just around the corner, it seems likely that some teams won't be at full strength when they travel to Toronto to face the Blue Jays.

The situation raises some tough questions about Canada's mandate. Since the majority of Americans and Canadians have been vaccinated, are the entry restrictions really necessary? It's clear that "we now have a high degree of background population immunity to SARS-CoV-2, as well as medical countermeasures ... to prevent progression of disease," as

Last week, French activist group Extinction Rebellion destroyed 15,000 tons of wheat to prove its anti-GMO bona fides. The grain it targeted wasn't genetically modified—but it was meant to feed people in poor countries. The image you see in the mirror probably doesn't reflect reality, recent research shows. Are GM crops really safe? A new "study of studies" says no, though it's been blasted by independent experts.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 162 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Believing shipment was GMO crops, anti-technology organization ‘Extinction Rebellion’ illegally dumps 15,000 tons of conventional wheat intended to feed poultry in countries hard hit by Ukrainian war

As the world braces for food shortages, well-fed activists affiliated with Extinction Rebellion are dumping grain destined for countries hardest hit by the effects of war in Ukraine. The environmental group stacked cinder blocks in front of a train carrying 15,000 tons of wheat, then dumped every last ounce of the crop after the locomotive came to an abrupt stop. The kicker: Extinction Rebellion thought they were targeting a shipment of GM corn.

* Self perception: Most of us have a distorted sense of what we actually look like

Disappointed by the image you see in the mirror? The problem may not be your physical appearance, psychologists say, but your distorted self-perception that misinterprets sense data you take in from your surroundings. What can this conclusion tell us about our understanding of ourselves? Perhaps a little caution is in order before we rush headlong into conclusions about the world around us.

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The war in Ukraine could have long-term impacts on global food prices. Can we prevent this dangerous outcome? A Japanese reporter explains why he abandoned his anti-GMO views and embraced crop biotechnology. The battle to get anti-evolution curriculum into public schools is decades old. Where does the campaign stand today?

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 161 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* With Russian invasion of Ukraine disrupting food supplies, European Union open to importing GMO feed grain to support meat industry

As the war in Ukraine rages, concern is growing that the conflict will further spike food prices and even cause shortages in some parts of the world. Russia and Ukraine supply as much as 40 percent of the wheat consumed globally. But the intense fighting and economic sanctions designed to punish Russia are preventing both countries from exporting their grain. Several major agricultural producers have capped their exports in response, hoping to shield their own populations from skyrocketing food prices. Just how serious is the situation?

* Japanese journalist explains why he flipped from anti-GMO campaigner to embracing agricultural biotechnology revolution

Japanese journalist Masami Kojima was an ardent critic of biotech seeds and the big firms that sell them. But after interacting with growers around the world who benefit from the technology, he changed his mind. Kojima now works to help the public better understand why genetically engineered crops are such an important tool in food production. His story could help other science communicators improve their outreach efforts.

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* Anti-evolution state legislation has a notorious history – and it continues today

Although the political campaign to undermine the teaching of evolution in public schools goes back many decades, it hasn't achieved much success. Every piece of legislation designed to get Intelligent Design or Young-Earth Creationism into science classes triggered intense push back from educators and biologists, who didn't want politics dictating what students learned in school. Where do things stand today? Is anybody still trying to sneak creation myths into public schools?

Kevin M. Folta is a professor, keynote speaker and podcast host.