GLP Podcast: At-home dementia test raises concerns; mRNA flu vaccines? Chemical-free pesticides

A new at-home dementia test may help predict your risk of cognitive impairment late in life, though some experts fear the new diagnostic tool could have harmful unintended consequences. MRNA technology gave us effective COVID-19 vaccines; could the same platform yield better flu shots as well? Advances in gene-silencing techniques could begin to replace chemical pesticides in the coming years, developers claim. Are we really moving closer to farming with fewer pesticides?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 147 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

• 5-minute at-home dementia test has some health experts concerned

If a test could determine your risk of developing dementia, would you want to know? Experts are split over the deployment a new diagnostic tool that may be able to make such a prediction. Detractors say that with no effective treatment for dementia, widespread testing makes little sense, unless we want to unnecessarily scare the public. Proponents argue that more information is better than less, and may allow people to alter their diet and exercise habits to possibly reduce their dementia risk before it’s too late.

• mRNA technology can revolutionize the flu vaccine, too

Less than a year after SARS-COV-2 began to spread around the world, pharmaceutical companies introduced two mRNA-based vaccines to reduce transmission of the virus and the severity of  COVID-19 symptoms. Developing safe and effective flu shots based on same technology seems like a logical next step given our experience over the last 19 months. What would it take to get new influenza vaccines onto the market and into people’s arms?

• Replacing chemical pesticides? Sprays made from RNA may be the next generation of plant pest control

Chemical pesticides remain a necessary aspect of crop protection. But gene-silencing technology, and a tool known as “RNA interference” in particular, may begin to reduce the quantity of pesticides farmers use to protect our food from harmful insects and microbes. Instead of traditional chemicals, growers could utilize pesticide sprays that turn off certain genes in an insect’s genome, for instance. These tools could help keep pests at bay without taking a toll on human health or the surrounding environment. What progress are scientists making in developing these next-generation pesticides?

Kevin M. Folta is a professor, keynote speaker and podcast host. Follow Professor Folta on Twitter @kevinfolta

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow ACSH on Twitter @ACSHorg