Talking Biotech Podcast

Tweet   Genetic counselors play a critical role from pre-natal guidance to lifelong expertise in managing genetically-based disorders. With the tools of rapid sequencing and computational biology, the genetic counselor has new tools to predict genetic disorders and advise symptom management. Today’s guest is Pilar Magoulas, a Certified Genetic Counselor from Texas Children’s Hospital.  She has won awards for her expertise in genetic counseling. We discuss the traditional roles of genetic counselors, how new technology aids in her work, and what the future holds for those interested in this growing career area. Baylor School of Medicine Genetic Counseling Program  

Tweet Drug pipelines are thick with novel compounds that may have an effect on our most insidious diseases.  However, most either fail early trials or are withdrawn because companies don’t see the return on investment of driving them forward. These shelved compounds still may have important roles in treating orphan diseases.  The Children’s Tumor Foundation identifies these compounds lost to corporate expectations and re-analyzes them for therapeutic potential for other indications. Dr. Annette Bakker describes the process, the potential and the promise of compounds already identified in this partnership with pharmaceutical companies– testing their throwaways for new applications.

Tweet   The classical assumption was that the modern dinosaur lineage led directly to today’s reptiles. However, a growing suite of evidence has shown that modern birds more closely emulate prehistoric creatures. Today’s guests are Profs Alexander Vargas (University of Chile) and Joao Bothelo (Catholic University of Chile).  Their work on comparative anatomy in embryos has unveiled additional similarities between birds and dinosaurs, and pharmacological and molecular evidence has shown that chicken embryos can be affected to present subtle dinosaur-like traits. Their work provides additional evidence that modern birds are actually modern avian dinosaurs.   Here’s a link to the EU Commission’s public comment website. 

Tweet We must be dedicated to fighting back against false information in food and medicine.  Jeffery Smith is a personality with no scientific training that has used disinformation to taint an important public discussion on biotechnology for over 25 years.  One of the ways he does this is to hijack legitimate scientific venues, making them think he conveys actual information.  He then uses their media to push his false information that ultimately affects the public trust in food, farming and medicine. Last week Smith was a guest on the Finding Genius Podcast, a podcast that features some excellent discussions with actual researchers. Smith and others like him have targeted science podcasts to promote their non-scientific ideas, using established scientific conduits to promulgate false claims. The point of this podcast is:  1. Illuminate how Smith propagates false information with uncited generalities, misrepresentation of actual science and innuendo. 2.  Demonstrate how he (and folks like him) exploit credulous podcast/media hosts to gain an audience that may be unfamiliar with their misrepresentation of science and to promote their books/websites/documentaries.  3.  To show how a reasonable podcast can fall prey to those that push false claims for agenda, politics and profits.

Tweet In this week of technical failures and personal challenges, this week’s podcast investigates the merits of civil conversation.  In an angry online environment, can we use the tools of trust building, listening, and empathy to build trust and have greater influence?  I discuss my current circumstances and the status of the social media discussion of vaccine hesitancy and genetic engineering.  Can we influence the acceptance of good technology with a soft touch?  Can we win more hearts and minds with kindness than with data?  This is a very important episode I hope you’ll find illuminating.

Tweet There is no such thing as bad food, it is just bad diets, so says Craig Good.  Various life events caused him to rethink his relationship with food, and a keen skepticism led him to carefully evaluate the mistakes we make, the myths we accept, and the potential reasons we have an epidemic of diet-related illness and an internet packed with fad diets.  The punchline is common sense, but comes after a discussion of food facts, psychology, and a prescription for healthy eating. Follow Craig on Twitter (good follow) Relax and Enjoy Your Food Website Relax and Enjoy Your Food  Trailer

Tweet   How does misinformation about genetically engineered crops (GMOs) start and how do we correct it?  These are questions asked by Prof. Robert Bird of the University of Connecticut.  Prof. Bird discusses how an errant article can become the basis of misinformation spread, and how communicators can help push back against misinformation. Sign up for the online class here. 

Tweet The herbicide glyphosate has been used for decades, with increased use paralleling the adoption of genetically engineered crops. The compound has a strong safety record and international regulatory consensus stating no unique health risks when used as directed. However, claims of cancer risk have increased in social media and websites, despite only cursory and/or circumstantial evidence of any actual causality.  Juries have supported class-action lawsuits with substantial payouts based on cancer claims. The claims hold no weight if there is no exposure, and anti-glyphosate groups know this. Over the past decade there have been regular reports of finding glyphosate in beer, wine, hair, cereal, crackers and dozens of other products– with the implication that its presence is a cancer risk. However, there are two problems. First, most were performed with methods that could not be used for legitimate detection, and second, levels detected were extremely low, well below any levels that would constitute a health risk. A recent published peer-reviewed scholarly review by a team from an expert team from Bayer CropSciences compiled all of the claims, peer-reviewed and otherwise, and analyzed their methods. The synthesis is that many reports use methods that may not be extended to the specific analysis, they report insufficient results, or have legitimate detection with low amounts found that do not constitute a health risk.   Here is a link to the review

Tweet Today’s podcast features two interviews about COVID19.  The first is an interview with Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried.  Commissioner Fried has been an outspoken critic of the state’s handling of the pandemic, she pulls no punches about the errors in policy, and discusses her efforts and vision for a COVID-free future. In the second half Brady Holmer discusses long COVID.  As the pandemic continues unfortunate patterns are emerging with regard to chronic cognitive, pulmonary, cardiac and other effects of the SARS-CoV2 infection. These two interviews will help you evaluate the realistic risks of the pandemic and share important public health information with others. On Twitter: Commissioner Nikki Fried :  @nikkifried and Brady Holmer :  @bradyholmer 

Tweet Many cancers are much more curable if detected early. However, the current suite of detection methods are slow, expensive and can’t detect a problem until it is advanced. Dr. Steven Quake of the Chan-Zukerberg Biohub is working with a group to perfect the liquid biopsy. Using just a patient’s blood, the test strive to identify cell-free RNA and /or DNA that often is shed into the bloodstream from solid tumors. Detection of such molecules may help diagnosticians identify cellular transformation events before symptoms ever are experienced. The relatively inexpensive and non-invasive test will likely be a central part of every annual physical, as it can detect problems long before they become problematic.  

Tweet Yay for gremlins!  Technical difficulties precluded the planned podcast, but that didn’t stop two good interviews from materializing a the last minute. Cameron Siggs is an attorney in south Florida.  He came into a conversation in a Whole Foods Market that demonstrated the power of engagement and kind dialogue. In the second half we visit with registered dietitian Leah McGrath about farmers markets, seasonal produce and strange consumer expectations. Two great interviews with excellent information and ways to think about communicating our science. Follow Leah McGrath on Twitter :  @LeahMcGrathRD The article about farmers markets in the Cook’s Cook

Tweet The role of Cas9 as an editing/deletion nuclease has been well established, but can it be used to turn genes on?   Dr. Yiping Qi of the University of Maryland has developed a system where Cas9’s specificity is used to recruit gene expression activation factors to plant promoters.  The approach allows activation of sets of genes associated with disease resistance or other useful plant traits.

Tweet COVID19 is the spectrum of pathologies caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus.  While the pandemic moves well into its second year, the importance of detection in populations cannot be overstated.  However, testing methods typically include visiting testing centers, and it is hard to find a test that is both rapid and precise.  Dr. Peter Ngyuen is a scientist with the Wyss Institute that has designed wearable sensors to detect specific viruses.  We talk about the amazing synthetic biology technology and how it is now being applied to face masks that can detect the presence of the virus in the breath of someone wearing the mask.  The rapid detection can help guide behavior as well as provide an early detection to potentially seek medical care to minimize long-term health implications.  

Tweet   Cassava is a staple for one in ten people on earth, grown mostly by small famers tending a few acres. One of the challenges is insect-vectored virus Cassava Brown-Streak Virus that destroys the root.  Scientists from Africa and the Danforth Center in St. Louis MO, USA have collaborated to create a cassava line that is genetically engineered to suppress the virus. The approach is similar to what was done to save the papaya in Hawaii, essentially using a portion of the virus sequence to shut down viral infection. In this week’s podcast Dr. Douglas Miano, Professor at the University of Nairobi, describes the problem and the solution. as well as how the technology may serve farmers in Kenya and the entire African continent. KARLO Website CassavaPlus Website

Tweet Episode 300 is guest-hosted by Ally Kennedy. She interviews Dr. Kevin Folta about the obstacles to communicating science over the last decade. From a libelous piece in the New York Times, to coordinated smear campaigns, and a university’s rejection of academic freedom, they discuss the details of these events and their impact on Folta’s ag/science communication efforts. It is an eye-opening discussion of the battles faced for stepping into a public discussion, along with the personal and professional consequences of being effective and showing leadership. The take home message is a positive one, and affirms why we all need to be participating in teaching and correcting poor information, particularly in social media space.