Talking Biotech Podcast

Tweet Neonicotinoids (neonics) are a class of insecticides based on natural plant compounds that disrupt the insect nervous system. They are used because they have relatively low toxicity on non-insects.  They are applied as seed coatings, so when a seed germinates the water-soluble insecticides are taken up and mobilized throughout the plant, providing protection against insects that feed on it.  The strategy decreases the need for aerial spraying of broad-spectrum insecticides. Because of these attributes, neonic use has increased significantly. As usual, when a single strategy is employed there can be collateral effects. Dr. John Tooker from Penn State University describes his work on today’s podcast.  Dr. Tooker examines a situation where the reliance on neonics has led to problems with other pests. This reminds us that integrated pest management is important, that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, and that we have to exercise care in monitoring unanticipated effects of insecticide use. Dr. Tooker’s website Follow on Twitter:  @jftooker     Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM  Pod Directory  TuneIn

Tweet Domestication Dr. Lazaro Peres    De novo domestication also has the potential to expand genetic diversity in crops, potentially conferring additional roles in food security.   Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM  Pod Directory  TuneIn

Tweet The representation of crop biotechnology in film has been an asymmetrical assault on science and reason.  Food Evolution breaks that trend. The film tells several stories of biotech applications, where “GMO” crops are the centers of policy decisions.  The film features scientists standing up for science and reason, and activists working hard against it, pushing to influence policy even if it means hurting people.  Today’s podcast features two interviews. First Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam speaks of her role in the discussion and the film. Later, Director/Producer/Writer Scott Hamilton Kennedy and Producer/Writer Trace Sheehan speak about the mission of the film and some of the surprises along the way. Most of all, this is not a film about GMOs.  It is a film about how humans make decisions, ignore experts, and let belief guide their actions– even with horrible consequences to others.  Narrated by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. To arrange a screening or to learn where it is playing near you:  www.foodevolutionmovie.com     Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM  Pod Directory  TuneIn

Tweet Glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup, has been used as a non-selective (kills all plants) herbicide since 1970.  It blocks a necessary step in plant metabolism and the plant dies, yet it has lower acute toxicity than table salt to animals. It is inexpensive, and a small amount works well, with rapid turnover in the environment. For this reason it has been widely used in municipal, agricultural and residential applications for decades.  Glyphosate sales increased upon the advent of genetically engineered crops. Some of these crops were engineered with a gene that circumvents the toxic effects of glyphosate on the plant, so the herbicide kills weeds but not the plant itself. The technology has been widely adopted and is popular with farmers.  The chemical has been tested and approved but government agencies all over the globe.  Hundreds of studies have concluded that it is extremely safe when used as directed.  However, there is a movement afoot that has targeted this compound with misinformation, including the claim that it causes cancer.  This is almost exclusively predicated on the decision of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that described glyphosate as a “probable carcinogen” based on a few barely significant data points, while ignoring higher-quality data.  Dr. Len Ritter is a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences and an Professor Emeritus at the University of Guelph. He is an expert in human toxicology and has followed the glyphosate story for decades.  In this episode of Talking Biotech we discuss the historical assessments of glyphosate safety, the well-described risks, and the IARC decision.   Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet The documentary space is filled with disparaging films about food science, including those that target biotechnology.  Many of these films feature artistic flair, and tell a compelling story through the lens of the camera– even if it is not true.  Filmmaker Nick Saik applies his craft to in the development of a science-based documentary about the use of technology to feed more people, more nutritious food.  In this conversation, he discusses his motivations, his philosophies and release plans for the movie.   Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet Forests are under many threats, from new pests and pathogens, to invasive trees, to climate.  The advancement of these traits by far exceeds the natural response of trees to acclimate, and outpaces the efforts to traditionally breed trees for forest conservation and restoration.  Dr. Ellen V. Crocker is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Kentucky.  She talks about the current threats to forests including sudden oak death, chestnut blight and the emerald ash borer. She also discusses efforts in integrating new biotech tools in forest improvement, including genetic engineering, speed breeding, and gene drive approaches.  Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli (@Pvincell). Learn more about Dr. Crocker and the Forest Health Research and Education Center at the University of Kentucky here. Forest Health Research and Education Center Facebook page here.    Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet While the technologies of genetic engineering are quite commonplace, it was not always the case.  The scientists that blazed the trail hold tremendous history, and it is good to visit with them to understand where the technology came from and where it is going. Dr. Maurice Moloney was there in the beginning, working with Calgene and some early issues in transgenic crops.  He also has served as a leader in some of the world’s preeminent plant science institutions. Dr. Moloney provides interesting and valued perspective about where we have been and where the science is going.  Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet In the race to feed 10 billion people by 2050 some agricultural production will shift to where people live.  The idea of vertical farms or repurposing urban space for agriculture is becoming increasingly feasible, as lighting, cooling, and automation advances are more and more efficient.  These concepts are being explored worldwide.  The International Congress on Controlled Environment Agriculture met in Panama City, Panama, and it was a great opportunity to interview the experts about how to grow crops in limited space. Interviews with David Proenza, Chris Higgins, Leo Marcelis, Chieri Kubota, and Ricardo Hernandez.  The conference website may be accessed here.  Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet Uruguay is a major producer of soy and corn from genetically engineered seeds, with over 2.5 million acres in production.  Dr. Paul Vincelli talks about the regulatory framework in Uruguay with Dr. Alejandra Ferenczi, Head of Biosecurity with the Ministry of Agriculture in Uruguay.  The regulatory system of Uruguay involves many levels of regulation and input to evaluate the safety of the crops.  Dr. Ferenczi discusses how multiple regulatory bodies perform risk analysis, risk assessments and communication around GE crops.  The discussion also covers issues of food safety, risk, and public perceptions. Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet In the industrialized world the potato is defined as one of a few varieties of tuber crops.  But there is tremendous diversity available to be exploited, and potato breeders are folding that into modern germplasm using a variety of methods. Dr. David Douches from Michigan State University describes some of the current efforts in traditional potato breeding.  The history of potato improvement is discussed, along with the efforts to introduce genes from wild populations that can improve cultivated varieties. These traits are mostly centered around color, disease resistance and nutrition. We also discuss efforts going on in the broader potato world, using genetic engineering to improve disease resistance and storage, both which could be of benefit to the developing world and the environment. Dr. Douches program in potato breeding and genetics at MSU can be accessed here.  Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet The sweet potato has special seasonal or fast-food application in the industrialized world, but in many parts of the world it is an important part of the daily diet.  The sweet potato is botanically distinct from the standard solanaceous potato, and stands to have additional application as a nutritious food for new populations.  Dr. Jan Kreuze is classically trained in plant virology and has practiced his craft in potatoes.  He is currently working at the Center for Potato Improvement (CIP) in Lima Peru, near the center of potato diversity.  He discusses what a sweet potato is, its natural diversity and some of its genetic oddities.  The podcast concludes with discussion of a natural horizontal gene transfer that could be the basis of domestication. Dr. Kreuze’s PNAS paper is here. Follow Dr. Jan Kreuze on Twitter-  @JanKreuze  Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet The issues of biotechnology benefit from examination from social scientists.  There are scientists that help define the social reaction to science and the way that scientists need to communicate issues in technology.  Dr. Matthew Harsh is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Engineering Technology at Concordia University in Montreal Canada.  The discussion talks about the interface of natural sciences and social sciences, and how discussions can affect policy.  Tips are also provided for how to better interact with the public.  Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli. Dr. Harsh’s website is here. Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet What are Specialty Crops?  These are the crops of the produce aisle, fruits, vegetables, nuts.  These are high-value crops that receive relatively little research funding compared to other types of the big-ag crops, things like corn, wheat, sugar and soy.   Helena Bottemiller-Evich is the Senior Food and Ag Reporter for Politico, and asks the question, “Why is the government not putting more funding into the foods we are supposed to be eating?”   Helena discusses the paradox of funding for fruits and veggies and shares great stories of iceberg lettuce, post-harvest packaging, tribal thinking, and how we communicate topics like biotechnology.   Helena’s March 8 Article–   The Vegetable Technology Gap Follow Helena on Twitter:  @Hbottemiller Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet The newest and most promising therapies for challenging cancers are adopting molecular-biology strategies.  Brain tumors are especially problematic because of their location impedes patient function and presents formidable barriers to surgical treatments.  But new molecular approaches show promise.  A series of new techniques from viruses genetically trained to attack the tumor, to genetic modifications of immune cells, to new types of monoclonal antibodies represent a few of the new tricks researchers are now deploying in the fight against these deadly conditions.  Dr. Duane Mitchell is a Professor at the University of Florida.  He is a neurosurgeon that is discovering and refining the leading edge of next generation therapies.  In today’s podcast, he shares his expertise in explaining the new types of technologies and the potential promise they may bring. Website: Dr. Duane Mitchell and the UF Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn

Tweet This week’s podcast is an important discussion, a cautionary tale of what can happen when genetically-engineered crops are introduced to the environment.  Circumstances may lead to release of the transgene into sexually compatible wild plants, leading to its persistence in non-crop species.  Dr. Carol Mallory-Smith from Oregon State University has analyzed gene flow in grasses, and was the perfect match for understanding the issue of gene flow from genetically-engineered, roundup-ready, creeping bentgrass in Oregon.  Her work has detailed how a genetic engineering plan to aid the consumer resulted in unwanted environmental impacts. Dr . Mallory-Smith’s work demonstrates that transgene escape and gene flow need to be carefully considered when establishing trials and during deregulation of GE crops.  Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli. Website:  http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/content/carol-mallory-smith The paper discussed can be accessed here. Follow Dr. Vincelli on Twitter:  @PVincell Like the podcast?  Please subscribe and write a review!  Stitcher    iTunes   Player FM   TuneIn