What Doesn't Kill You

What is nanotechnology? Find out with Heather Millar, an award-winning freelance magazine writer and author who has covered science, health, and technology for twenty years, contributing to magazines such as Sierra, Smithsonian, and The Atlantic. Tune in and learn how these microscopic particles could bring on the next industrial revolution. From solar panels to medicinal purposes to whitening agents in food – take a trip down the rabbithole in the world of nanoparticles and technology. Discover the potential health risks as well as the potential for good with this new frontier of science. This program was sponsored by Route 11 Potato Chips. “The problem with nano technology is that it’s such an incredibly broad field. It’s described as being the next industrial revolution – it has the potential to revolutionize solar cells for solar power, medicine for diagnostics, pretty much anything you can imagine.” [4:00] — Heather Millar on Straight, No ChaserSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Katy Keiffer’s guest on today’s Straight, No Chaser is Elizabeth Royte. Elizabeth is the author of Bottlemania: How Water Went On Sale and Why We Bought It; Garbage Land: On the Secret Trail of Trash; and The Tapir’s Morning Bath: Solving the Mysteries of the Tropical Rain Forest. Her writing on science and the environment has appeared in Harper’s, National Geographic, Outside, The New York Times Magazine, and other national publications. Elizabeth is on the show talking about the negative effects of hydrofracking on livestock in drilling areas. Hear Elizabeth share a devastating story about a cattle rancher’s losses in North Dakota. How have farmers been silenced on the issue? Why is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce backing fracking? Find out on this week’s Straight, No Chaser. This program has been brought to you by The International Culinary Center. “There are so many unknowns- there’s industry secrecy and there’s a lack of funding for these long-term, peer-reviewed studies to show the fate and transport of these chemicals.” [19:00] — Elizabeth Royte on Straight, No Chaser See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Katy Keiffer rings in 2013 by talking about the upcoming season of Straight, No Chaser! Tune in to hear about recent studies on hydraulic fracturing, and how its methane byproducts make it no more environmentally sound than burning coal. Hear about nanotechnology in cosmetics and the food chain, and why the label of “generally regarded as safe” doesn’t actually mean that it’s safe. Katy talks about how she hopes to delve deeper into antibiotic use in food, and hear about her recent conversation with a physician concerning superbugs. Support local fisherman! Support local wineries! Listen to Straight, No Chaser in 2013! This episode has been brought to you by Hearst Ranch. “Hydro-fracking releases 9% methane… The whole argument for hydraulic fracturing has gone out the window!” [2:00] — Katy Keiffer on Straight, No Chaser See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined in the studio by guest co-host Dr. Marion Nestle! Dr. Nestle is Paulette Goddard Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, which she chaired from 1988-2003. She is also Professor of Sociology at NYU and Visiting Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell. Katy and Dr. Nestle are talking sugar with Cristin Couzens, a senior consultant at the University of Colorado Center for Health Administration and an instructor at the University of Washington School of Dentistry. Hear about Cristin’s experiences digging up the dirt of the sugar industry! Find out how the sugar business has attempted to hide the facts and abscond responsibility from the increase of Type 2 diabetes. How do sponsored studies alter scientific progress? Tune in to hear Dr. Nestle talk about some poorly-controlled scientific studies involving pomegranates, and learn just how many studies are influenced by outside corporate money. This program has been sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons. “I’m all for suggesting that people cut down on the sources of sugars in their diet, especially through soft drinks because soft drinks have no redeeming nutritional value at all… The body is not equipped to handle that amount of sugar.” [32:15] — Dr. Marion Nestle on Straight, No Chaser See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is talking poultry and public health with Amanda Hitt, the Director of the Food Integrity Campaign for the Government Accountability Project. Amanda oversees FIC operations and is responsible for ensuring that FIC fulfills its mission of enhancing food integrity by facilitating truth telling. Founded in 1977, GAP is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization. Located in Washington, DC, GAP is a nonpartisan, public interest group. In addition to focusing on whistleblower support in our stated program areas, we lead campaigns to enact whistleblower protection laws both domestically and internationally. Tune in to learn about the microbial swabbing of poultry, and why it is likely to be less effective in locating disease than prior methods of inspection. Hear how antibiotic resistance has affected the poultry industry, and how poultry often escapes criticism when compared to beef. What are some alternatives to industrial poultry, and what should the consumer expect to pay for safe, quality birds? Find out on Straight, No Chaser! This episode has been brought to you by Hearst Ranch. “When the going gets tough, and the government wants to save money, they go after inspectors.” [8:40] “It’s hard for consumers to ‘keep the faith’ when the industry isn’t doing the right thing in [poultry] production.” [12:45] — Amanda Hitt on Straight, No Chaser See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is geeking out with Dr. Charles Benbrook. Dr. Benbrook is a research professor at the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University. He is the program leader of “Measure to Manage: Farm and Food Diagnostics for Sustainability and Health.” His career has focused on developing science-based systems for evaluating the public health, environmental, and economic impacts of changes in agricultural systems, biotechnology, and policy. He has worked extensively on pesticide use and risk assessment, and the development of bio-intensive Integrated pest Management. He played an important role in the evolution of the 1996 “Food Quality Protection Act,” and has produced multiple reports on agricultural biotechnology. Tune into this episode to hear about herbicide-resistant crops, and whether or not they will be a solution to extravagant herbicide usage. Learn the differences between GMO crops and hybridized plants. Are resistant insect populations a worry for farmers in the United States? Hear about some commonly used herbicides, and their health and environmental concerns. Click here for a study concerning toxicity and Roundup-resistance. This program has been sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons. “This largest group of GE crops that have been planted around the world since 1996, they really don’t have anything to do with increased yields. In fact, the evidence suggests a small yield drag as a result of the genetic transformation that renders them tolerant to applications of this Roundup herbicide…” [4:55] “I’m just trying to keep the industry honest. You will still find claims by so-called experts that today’s GE crops are reducing pesticide use. It’s just not true!” [32:00] — Dr. Charles Benbrook on Straight, No Chaser See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined in the studio by Lily Kelly. Lily Kelly is the Interim Director for Global Green USA’s New York Office and the Coalition for Resource Recovery. Prior to joining Global Green USA, she contributed to various environmental and social stewardship projects with both for- and non-profit agencies, including the Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Majora Carter Group, and The Earth Institute. Tune into this episode to learn about greenhouse gas that occurs in landfills, and how recycling reduces greenhouse gases. Listen in to hear Lily talk about her work with wholesale retail packaging. How does Global Green USA affect corporations and legislature for environmental good? Find out on this week’s episode of Straight, No Chaser! This program has been brought to you by Heritage Foods USA. “Methane is a 25-27 times more potent greenhouse gas than CO2.” [5:00] “How can we maximize the infrastructure we have, the technology we have…and recover more of it [consumer waste] now?” [13:35] — Lily Kelly on Straight, No Chaser See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is joined in the studio by Christy Robb, the Director of Food Services at St. John’s Bread & Life in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Today, Katy and Christy are discussing disaster relief after Hurricane Sandy. Tune into this episode to hear how St. John’s Bread & Life has been serving hot meals in affected areas such as Coney Island and The Rockaways since the storm hit the city. Hear about the differences in services provided by large organizations like the American Red Cross, and smaller community organizations like Occupy Sandy. Is New York City prepared for another major storm? Hear Katy and Christy weigh in on what measures need to be taken to prevent a crisis in the case of another disaster. Preparedness is key; tune into Straight, No Chaser and learn what you can do to help the victims of the storm, and how to be prepared for the next one! This episode has been brought to you by White Oak Pastures. “Now is the time to figure out next time… we need lights, water, sanitation… How many port-a-potties are in New York? How hard would it be to put those out in areas that don’t have flushing water?” [18:15] — Christy Robb on Straight, No Chaser See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week’s episode of Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is talking with Dr. James Johnson. James R. Johnson, M.D. is Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota, Director of the Infectious Diseases T32 Training Program and Senior Associate Director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program (both, University of Minnesota), and Director of the Minneapolis VA Molecular Epidemiology Unit. Dr. Johnson is a frequently invited speaker at national and international scientific meetings, has presented at Capitol Hill briefings and hearings, and has served on multiple national task forces, committees, and grant review panels. He serves as an Attending Physician for the VA Infectious Diseases Consult Service and Infectious Diseases Clinic, and sits on multiple hospital committees, including (currently) the Antimicrobial Subcommittee, Space Committee, and Institutional Biosafety Committee. Tune into this episode to learn about the spread of resistant strains of bacteria, and how mere contact can cause extreme contamination. Hear how nations abroad have curbed antibiotic use food animals, and how it has affected food safety. Listen in to hear Dr. Johnson and Katy discuss the measures that consumers can take to protect and educate themselves from the ever-prevalent problem of food contamination. This episode has been brought to you by White Oak Pastures. “The U.S. uses more antibiotics per animal per pound of meat that comes to market than any other industrialized country for which we have data.” [10:00] “To suggest that one needs growth promoter to have a healthy agriculture industry is patently false as demonstrated by the totality of Europe.” [23:50] — Dr. James Johnson on Straight, No Chaser See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Straight, No Chaser, Katy Keiffer is talking with Erik Cutter of Alegría Farms and EnvironIngenuity. Tune into this episode to her Eric discuss the water retention benefits of certain drip hydroponic systems. Learn why Eric prefers hydroponics to organic row farming, and what the differences are between hydroponic and row crop seeds. At what point does vertical farming become as cost-efficient as vertical farming methods? Learn how hydroponics can be used as an educational tool for today’s youth, and how hydroponics can increase local food production in desert areas such as the American Southwest and the Middle East. This episode has been sponsored by Hearst Ranch. “We’ve got to get to a decentralized urban environment with may hundreds of small farms… We’re talking farm-to-table in minutes!” [16:45] “We’re not short on oil… we’re short on two resources: soil and water.” [23:20] — Erik Cutter on Straight, No Chaser See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.