GLP podcast and video: Curing deadly diseases with mRNA; COVID killed more Republicans than Democrats? WaPo promotes ‘acupuncture pseudoscience’

The same technology behind the mRNA COVID shots could also yield groundbreaking treatments for wide-ranging diseases. A new study posits that COVID killed more Republicans than Democrats in two states. Let’s take a closer look at this study. Why is the Washington Post promoting acupuncture?

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Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 232 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

• mRNA technology revolution: Battling sickle cell, aging and other tough-to-tackle diseases will soon be easier and cheaper

The same mRNA technology that yielded effective COVID-19 vaccines could be used to treat a variety of serious conditions, from inherited blood disorders to HIV and maybe even aging. A recent study performed with rodents demonstrated that messenger RNA can be adapted to deliver genetic material to the blood stem cells in bone marrow, potentially allowing scientists to correct mutations behind diseases like beta thalassaemia. The next step is to confirm that this procedure can be performed safely on humans. But according to one scientist involved in the research, “This is the future of medicine. The sky is the limit.”

• During the COVID pandemic, Republicans in Ohio and Florida had a higher mortality rate than Democrats

A recent headline-grabbing studied found that more Republicans than Democrats in Ohio and Florida died from COVID after vaccines were authorized for all adults. The researchers claimed based on their results that voter registration may be a risk factor for vaccine hesitancy and thus disease risk. Left out of the many news stories, however, were the study’s serious limitations—which render its results, at the very best, speculative.

• Viewpoint: ‘Acupuncture pseudoscience’ — Washington Post propagates alternative medicine

Like many news outlets, the Washington Post has taken up the task of combating scientific “misinformation.” Oddly, the Post continues to spread its fare share dubious research and sham medical treatments, including acupuncture. Why would the news media chastise the public for believing mis and disinformation while promoting obvious examples of pseudoscience?

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