The lab-leak origin story for SARS-CoV-2 morphed from fringe conspiracy theory to valid scientific hypothesis seemingly overnight. One side of the debate continues to assert that the available evidence supports a natural origin for the virus, while the other points to revelations about bat coronavirus research conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and argues that we need a fuller investigation to determine where SARS-CoV-2 came from. Will we ever know how this pandemic really started?
After decades as a stronghold of opposition to crop biotechnology, the UK recently broke with the European Union and began taking steps to allow its farmers to cultivate gene-edited crops. Activist opposition to this dramatic policy shift remains strong, but the British government hasn’t been swayed, pointing to the many studies showing that genetic engineering offers significant benefits while posing little risk to human health and environment. Is this development further evidence that the anti-GMO movement is losing its political influence?
Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 150 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down the biggest news stories of 2021.
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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
