Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta

Anthony Warner is known as The Angry Chef, achieving notoriety as a food-fad/social critic.  He has roots in biochemistry and trained as a chef, with years of experience in a variety of cooking venues. He is recognized for his books, columns and blogs, where he provides scientifically consistent critical analysis of current food trends and historical food foibles. His new book is entitled The Truth About Fat.Follow Anthony Warner on Twitter This link goes to the blog One Angry Chef Buy the book, The Truth About Fat # COLABRATalking 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 BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Today’s graduate students understand that participation in science communication can significantly enhance a scientific career.  While there are challenges, the idea of being willing to share science with the public can have tremendous benefits, yet there are few universities that stress the mechanics and psychology of public engagement.  The Cornell Alliance for Science held a science communication workshop in San Diego, geared toward graduate students. Three of the participants, Andrew Katz (Colorado State), Bliss Betzen (Kansas State) and Saarah Kuzay (UC Davis) join Drs. Kevin Folta and Paul Vincelli to discuss their projects, their projects, and their long-term aspirations.Bliss Betzen on Twitter @bmbetzen Andrew Katz  on linked in Saarah Kuzay via UC-Davis, Dubcovsky Lab# COLABRATalking 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 BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

Military preparedness means testing ammunition and ordinates in controlled field trials, as well as decommissioning of obsolete weaponry.  The result is a significant environmental deposit of residues of TNT and RDX, two explosives used in the production of military hardware. These compounds are environmentally persistent and leach into groundwater. They represent significant environmental toxins near military bases. Dr. Liz Rylott and her team at the University of York have developed plants capable of inactivating these compounds.  Plants take up RDX and TNT, however, these compounds remain stable within the plant.  Using genes from unusual bacterial species, plants have been engineered to inactivate these compounds, turning them essentially into fertilizer. This work is an exciting example of how genetic engineering can be used to solve a critical environmental problem. Follow Dr. Rylott at @LizRylott# COLABRATalking 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 BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

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 were generated from re-analysis of previous reports, the most powerful of which showed absolutely no association between glyphosate use and NHL.  So how do reports with marginal/no associations and a powerful report with no association morph into a report claiming a definitive association?  In this week’s podcast I discuss the analysis with Dr. Geoffrey Kabat, retired cancer epidemiologist and risk expert.  We discuss the new report, its strengths and weaknesses, and his concern that the data put into the study may have been selectively chosen to produce the desired outcome.Follow Dr. Kabat at @GeoKabat and www.geoffreykabat.com# COLABRATalking 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 BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

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 Chocolates and the overwhelming reception the product has enjoyed.Learn more at Ethos Chocolate# COLABRATalking 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 BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

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 conclusion.  Because there was none. The research is what the research is, but AAAS made a huge blunder in allowing a completely incorrect interpretation of the current literature to hit their pages. Of course, now this has blossomed in to a claims of multinational corporate conspiracy of censorship and suppression, when it really was just an organization likely posting what they were told was the actual science.# COLABRATalking 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 BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

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 biological control that competes against pathogenic fungi that start their damage early in fruit development.  In this episode I speak with representatives from the company about the technology, its application, and its safety with regard to pollinators and the environment. Company website:  BeeVt.com Follow BeeVT on Twitter:  @BeeVTech# COLABRATalking 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 BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

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 animals is cumbersome, and arrests solutions from reaching the field.  In short, a GE animal is regulated as a drug, whereas a GE plant is regulated as a GE plant.  Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam sets out to correct this discrepancy.  She points out the problems with burdensome regulation and how it will affect American scientists and ultimately the American farmer, rancher and economy.   As a solution, she requests that you sign the petition below, as she will use your name and interest in changing the rules to bolster her efforts in supporting rigorous, thorough, yet reasonable regulation. Dr. Van Eenennaam on Twitter: @BioBeef HERE IS A LINK TO THE PETITION!  PLEASE SIGN! # COLABRATalking 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 BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

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 behind it.  In this week’s podcast Dr. Philip Fernbach from the University of Colorado discusses the results of the study, along with a deeper discussion into the ramifications of these findings as they apply to science communication.Link to the paper discussed:  Dr. Fernbach’s website:  www.philipfernbach.com Website at University of Colorado: Here is his book:  The Knowledge Illusion: Why we Never Think Alone# COLABRATalking 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 BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.

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 to extinction. Scientists are poised to meet these problems with modern biotechnology.  The problem is that the certification and regulatory bodies that govern the work have great restrictions on the kind of research that may be performed, and they all but forbid any types of genetic engineering.  Ancient language installed by activist groups is difficult to overcome, and stops the best tools from being utilized in tree improvement.  Dr. Steve Strauss discusses the recent National Academies Report on forests and technology, and introduces a petition for scientists and concerned citizens to sign.  The hope is that regulators and certification bodies will maintain rigorous assessment, yet will allow new technologies to at least be considered and tested as scientists search for answers.Please click here to go to sign the petition. Read the full petition and related scientific background. View a press release on the petition here.# COLABRATalking 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 BIOTECHTwitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotechWebsite: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahqThe Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.