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Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 208 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:
The European Union is known for its hyper-skepticism of novel technologies. Yet the recent push to increase insect consumption has found eager supporters among EU leadership. This has persisted despite legitimate concerns that insect farming carries potentially serious health risks that should be addressed before humans begin relying on cockroaches as a protein source. Why is the EU so enthusiastic about bug-based food but fearful of low-risk biotech crops and pesticides?
Friends of the Earth Europe recently claimed that global pesticide use has increased by 80 percent since 1990. It’s a troubling statistic. It’s also meaningless. Food production has outpaced increases in pesticide use over the same period, even though the global population has boomed. Moreover, the toxicity of many pesticides continues to decline, though we may be using greater quantities of them. These numbers make clear that farming is becoming more sustainable over time, whatever critics may say.
Nearly three years of confusing, often contradictory pandemic response measures has left many Americans deeply skeptical of the public health establishment. Fearful that the public will begin rejecting health advice unrelated to COVID-19, officials are now scrambling to rebuild this fractured relationship between citizen and scientist. Are experts taking the right steps to regain America’s trust?
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
