Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta

The report saturated the popular media, claims that the herbicide glyphosate increased cancer risk by 41%.  This alarming statistic punctuated news reports, based on a new analysis of old data performed by a statistics team at the University of Washington.  These claims did not study cancer in general, but instead focused on a rare cancer known as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL).  Their conclusions we...

In the days of fear-based food labeling the market has been screaming for a science-friendly alternative.  Ethos Chocolates are distributed for free by A Fresh Look, an independent organization of farmers that want to set the record straight with regard to crop technology.  Today I speak with Dr. Rebecca Larson, Scientific Director for A Fresh Look.  We discuss the motivation behind Ethos Chocolat...

This week the American Association for the Advancement of Science announced an award to two Sri Lankan researchers for their research showing that glyphosate was a “deadly herbicide” that was causing kidney disease in farmers.  Of course, I remember some work they did in forming a hypothesis and eventually measuring heavy metals and farm chemicals in urine, but I never recall such a definitive con...

The relationship between pollinators and crop protection strategies has always pitted them against each other, with concern about how insecticides and herbicides might affect charismatic non-target insects like bees. A new technology by the company Bee Vectoring Technologies rewrites the definition to the relationship.  In this approach, bees exit the hive to deliver a fungicide to the flower, a b...

The new techniques in gene editing have made rapid, precise genetic changes possible in animals.  Some of the greatest benefits are genetic resistance to disease, generation of less waste, and more rapid growth on the farm.  The world has adopted these new techniques and devised sensible and appropriate mechanisms of regulatory oversight.  However, in the USA regulation of genetically-engineered a...

Researchers and communicators in biotechnology have experienced it for a long time– the people that oppose genetic engineering frequently know the least about it.  This observation was studied formally by a group of cognitive and social psychologists.  Their conclusion: The people with the most extreme attitudes about genetic engineering also have the least working knowledge about the science behi...

Our forests are critical to ecology.  They sequester carbon from human activity, and serve as great resources for renewable building materials, fuels and recreation.  However, our forests are threatened like never before.  Rapidly changing climates, human activity, and new pests and pathogens have caused massive change in forest populations over a very short time, with some species driven nearly t...

Indoor air is filled with hazardous trace compounds that arise from flooring, furniture, and even showering. While they pose a minor risk, they are present, and more so in our energy efficient homes. Dr. Stuart Strand has devised houseplants that express a detoxification gene from the human liver. The plants remove these compounds from the air, and may be important contributors to public health in...

This week’s podcast features and update on two critical technologies– the Bt Brinjal (eggplant) in Bangladesh and the blight resistant American Chestnut. Both of these were covered in earlier episodes, and an update on their status is long overdue. Dr. Tony Shelton of Cornell University and Dr. Bill Powell from SUNY share their stories.    Follow Dr. Powell on Twitter  @ChestnutPowell Follow Dr. T...

Weed resistance is a complex problem with incredible ramifications for agricultural production. It also provides an outstanding opportunity to examine how resistance happens– is it continual development of new mutations, new mutations in the same genes, or is it simply spread of already resistant material? Genome sequencing and comparative genomics indicates that it is all of the above. A recent p...

On December 6, 2018 environmental advocate Erin Brockovich published a high-profile opinion piece in The Guardian.  The piece was laced with scientific inaccuracies and inflammatory rhetoric about glyphosate, indicating in no uncertain terms that it causes cancer and is present in just about all food. None of these claims are supported by peer-reviewed literature.  Further examination shows that B...

Dr. Thomas Zinnen has worked with the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service for almost three decades. His principal job has been sharing information about technology with the state through creative programs and activities. He shares his thoughts on communication with the public, along with some excellent examples of how to get non-scientists to implement scientific reasoning. Follo...

Gary Nolan works in marketing, but enjoys science podcasts, including Talking Biotech.  He also frequently blogs about politics, social trends, and science. He finds that he still wrestles with some of the concepts around genetic engineering.  This week’s podcast is dedicated to Gary and folks like him– those that want to ask their questions and get honest answers.  This week Dr. Kevin Folta answe...

Plant breeding is an important discipline, and the foundation of plant genetic improvements.  While modern techniques like gene editing sometimes steal the spotlight, the foundational varieties must have outstanding performance before such amendments are remotely relevant.  Today plant breeders are in high demand, both in industry and academia.  Drs. Patricio Muñoz and Marcio Resende are two early...

The term “Conflict of Interest” is thrown around a lot these days, mostly to sully reputations or cast doubt on quality research. That perception of what a conflict of interest is, is quite different than what it actually is.  Dr. Chris MacDonald is an expert in Conflict of Interest, disclosure and transparency at Ryerson University.  We had a great discussion about what a conflict of interest is,...

They are farmers.  They also own A&C Liquid Assets, a liquor store in Hoxie, Kansas.  Allison and Cole Nondorf saw the Smirnoff commercial where they proudly proclaim that they reject “GMO” seed technology, the same seeds that the Nondorf’s (and most of their community) use on their farms.  The idea of selling Smirnoff products when the company brazenly rejects the technology your community de...

The future gets closer every day, and many argue that technology will radically change the world for the better in the next 20 years– if we have the courage to let it.  Matt Ward is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor and host of the Fringe FM Podcast.  He shares his provocative view of how technology is shifting life and priorities, and how the strangling force of regulation stands to slow prog...

What do we use to feed our food?  From cattle to fish, livestock require substantial inputs to thrive, and a substantial part of that is their feed.  This has measurable impacts from the environment to producer costs.  Sam Glickstein of Biotrophics has a solution.  Sustainability might be surprising, but he offers an excellent solution. # COLABRA Talking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R...

The mango is an incredibly important fruit worldwide, yet little is known about its precise origins or domestication. Today’s podcast explores this important fruit with Dr. Emily Warschefsky, who studied this fruit during her doctoral training. She reveals a surprising background story about this popular fruit. # COLABRA Talking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that bring...

Today’s episode is where Kevin Folta answers common questions from listeners. In the second half, we discuss the recent lawsuit against LaCroix and the alleged insecticides used as ingredients. # COLABRA Talking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/ # TALKING BIO...

Nitrogen is required for plant growth, and is a significant input in terms of cost and environmental impact. While plants are literally surrounded by nitrogen, it is present in the atmosphere in an unusable form. Some plants (like legumes) have the ability to fix nitrogen, converting it from a gas into a form the plant can use. The idea of somehow moving this important trait from legumes (or micro...

The drug thalidomide was developed with tremendous promise in managing a variety of disorders, such as anxiety and morning sickness.  However, a few years after its common use it became linked to a suite of birth defects, primarily defects in limb development.  For almost sixty years scientists have tried to unravel the molecular basis of its action.  Dr. Katherine Donovan is a postdoctoral resear...

There is a vanilla crisis.  The familiar flavor agent is a mixture of chemicals from an orchid- and there’s not enough being produced to satisfy demand.  But Dr. Alan Chambers knows that crisis and opportunity travel together.  He is currently engaging in breeding of vanilla orchids, hoping to improve yields and product quality.  In this episode he covers vanilla’s natural history, its current cha...

In framing effective discussions about any subject it is important to understand human psychology, and the mistakes we make in debate.  It also is important to understand how ingrained human tendencies shape our perceptions and skew our willingness to accept new information.  In this episode Itamar Schatz discusses these concepts, concepts that are the basis of his website Effectiviology . We disc...

The herbicide glyphosate has been in use for over 40 years.  It is non-selective (kills all plants), it is inexpensive and has extremely low toxicity.  These attributes made it an important tool for municipalities, farmers, and homeowners. Use increased starting in 1996 with the advent of glyphosate-tolerant (marketed under the brand name “Roundup Ready”) crops, which have expanded in acreage ever...