Science Friction: The 226th Evolutionary Lens with Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying
May 22, 2024
02:03:54
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Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying discuss polyploid potatoes and corn from Ohalo Genetics, trade-offs in biotechnology, mistakes of modernity, and Terrence Howard's predictive model. They challenge progress and evaluate abandoned patents with engaging insights.
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Quick takeaways
Polyploidy in nature leads to genetic diversity in plants and animals, aiding in adaptation to harsh conditions.
Tetraploids show resilience in colder, drier areas but struggle to compete with diploids directly.
Uniform seeds in agriculture enhance yields but risk monocropping vulnerabilities due to reduced genetic diversity.
Agricultural innovations must balance genetic uniformity with diversity to avoid unforeseen challenges and ecosystem vulnerabilities.
Scientific rigor is crucial in evaluating extraordinary claims, demanding testable predictions to challenge prevailing understanding.
Deep dives
Polyploidy in Plants and Animals
Polyploidy occurs in nature, notably in plant species where cycles of meiosis, singamy, and selection lead to the production of polyploid seeds and plants. In animals, like frogs and fishes, polyploidy can be found, influencing their distribution and environmental tolerance. The advantage of polyploidy may lie in expanding into new territories or coping with harsh conditions.
Effects on Plant Competitiveness
In a study of a diploid/tetraploid amphibian complex in North America, tetraploids excelled in colder, drier conditions and higher elevations compared to diploids living in warmer, wetter regions. Tetraploids showed resilience to harsh abiotic factors but struggled to compete with diploid species directly. This research sheds light on polyploid persistence mechanisms.
Risks of Monocropping and Perfect Seed Ideas
The podcast highlights the idea of 'perfect seed' for crops like potatoes to enhance yields and disease resistance but raises concerns of monocropping risks. A uniform seed variety erases genetic diversity, increasing vulnerability to diseases. Lessons from past monocropping failures emphasize the importance of genetic variability and caution against total uniformity.
Implications of Agriculture Innovations
Agricultural innovations aiming to increase crop yields and disease resistance must consider the balance between uniformity and genetic diversity. While advancements in seed technologies offer potential benefits, overlooking the importance of genetic variability may lead to unforeseen challenges and ecosystem vulnerabilities.
Conclusion and Future Applications
Exploring the impact of polyploidy across plant and animal species reveals evolutionary adaptations to diverse environments. Applying these insights to modern agriculture requires a nuanced approach that balances yield optimization with preserving genetic diversity. Understanding the ecological implications of genetic manipulation is critical for sustainable and resilient farming practices.
Understanding the Importance of Making Predictions in Science
In the face of revolutionary and extraordinary claims in various domains, the key lies in applying the scientific method by demanding the formulation of hypotheses and subsequent predictions. By distinguishing between notions, hypotheses, and theories, the burden rests on the claimant to provide testable predictions that challenge prevailing understanding. This systematic approach ensures that ideas are scientifically valid and can stand the test of rigorous inquiry.
Navigating the Cartesian Crisis and the Rise of Enhanced Science Fiction
In a time of escalating misinformation and the proliferation of scientifically extraordinary claims, it is imperative to acknowledge the need for more robust and better-founded science. With society grappling with a crisis of discerning truth, the integration of sound scientific practices becomes essential in safeguarding against the spread of pseudoscience and misinformation.
Exploring the Merchandise Store and Locals Community
The engagement with merchandise at the DarkHorse store, featuring the 'Cut That Shit Out' shirt, highlights the relevance and impact of thought-provoking messages. Additionally, the call to join the vibrant Locals community emphasizes the value of diverse interactions, engaging discussions, and exclusive access to additional content like Q&A sessions and Discord channels.
Acknowledging the Importance of Audience Support and Engagement
Expressing gratitude for audience support through likes, shares, subscriptions, and engagement with DarkHorse content underlines the mutual appreciation between creators and listeners. The shared commitment to critical thinking, exploration of ideas, and community connections fosters a dynamic and enriching platform for knowledge sharing and discourse.
In this 226th in a series of live discussions with Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying (both PhDs in Biology), we talk about the state of the world through an evolutionary lens.
In this episode, we discuss a new breakthrough in plant genetics: polyploid potatoes and corn from Ohalo Genetics, which are claimed to double the harvest from individual plants. Beginning with a discussion of naturally occurring polyploidy in other species, including frogs, we analyze the discussion of Ohalo’s new products with an evolutionary lens. Is it possible that biotechnology can evade trade-offs, or is this utopian thinking in the corporate world? Why do so many mistakes of modernity come in the form of people accustomed to complicated systems, applying their knowledge to complex systems? Finally: does Terrence Howard (recently on Joe Rogan) have a predictive model, or is he just blowing smoke?
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Mentioned in this episode:
Ohalo Genetics: https://ohalo.com
Discussion with Ohalo CEO on The All-In podcast: https://x.com/noorsinghrai/status/1793006932862587370.
Wood et al 2009. The frequency of polyploid speciation in vascular plants. Proceedings of the National Academy of sciences 106(33): 13875-13879. https://www.pnas.org/doi/pdf/10.1073/pnas.0811575106
Otto et al 2007. Climatic variation and the distribution of an amphibian polyploid complex. Journal of Animal Ecology, 76(6): 1053-1061. https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2656.2007.01300.x
Terrence Howard on Joe Rogan: https://youtu.be/g197xdRZsW0?si=DMKHwvPdbnlFt3hJ
