GLP Podcast: ‘Cancel’ culture comes for science outreach; Activism blocks avian flu solution; CRISPR-edited cats?

A major university recently halted a science outreach event because the invited speakers were white men. Has so-called “cancel culture” finally come for science communication? Genetic engineering may help stop the spread of avian flu and alleviate cat allergy symptoms, but will these powerful tools ever receive FDA approval?

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Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 164 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

• Silencing Science: NC State Cancels Panel Discussion to Appease Woke Activists

NC State recently cancelled an event designed to teach science-outreach techniques to graduate students. The reason? The three-member expert panel consisted of white men, which a handful of social-justice activists on Twitter found unbearable. Instead of allowing the student-invited speakers to present, the school caved to political pressure. What does this development tell us about the state of America’s universities? And could the situation hinder efforts to promote science literacy among the general public?

• Viewpoint: There is a solution to the devastating poultry pandemic – but anti-technology activist groups and outdated regulations are blocking it

A new strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has devastated America’s poultry industry in recent years. Over 50 million domestic chickens and turkeys were killed by the virus just in 2015, an estimated loss of $3.3 billion. Scientists have engineered birds that cannot catch or spread HPAI, though the technology is unlikely to be commercialized in the near future. The FDA maintains tight restrictions on genetically engineered animals—in large part to avoid legal battles with anti-GMO activists groups.

• ‘Here, CRISPR critter’: How to gene edit a hypo-allergenic cat

Allergic to cats? There may be a genetic engineering solution for that, too. Using CRISPR gene editing, scientists can delete two genes that encode a protein called Fel d 1, which is secreted by glands in the animal’s skin, mouth, eyes, and anus and thought to cause the horrific symptoms that afflict people with cat allergies.

A recent study showed that the technique worked more than 50 percent of the time and yielded no unintentional changes, which means it likely won’t harm the gene-edited animals. Genetically modified cats are still a long way off, however. Until then, antihistamines and specialized cat treats might be the best tools to help keep your cat allergies in check.

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