GLP podcast/video: Yes, BPA is safe; ‘Fake sugar’ promotes real weight loss; How long does it take to develop a pesticide?

A decades-long campaign alleges that BPA, a chemical used to manufacture many plastic products, is dangerous. There is no evidence to support that allegation, and there never was. A large body of research shows that artificial sweeteners can help people lose weight, so why does the press continue to speculate about the harms of these “fake sugars”? It takes many years and costs hundreds of millions of dollars to discover and commercialize new pesticides. Why is the process so expensive and so time-consuming?

Podcast:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Video:

Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 250 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

• Anti-GMO activists take page out of anti-chemical and anti-BPA lobby, targeting the ‘black box’ of endocrine disruption

There are striking similarities between the campaigns against GM crops and BPA. That’s because critics of agricultural biotechnology utilized the “playbook” of anti-BPA activists to attract media attention and public support for their cause. While there is zero credible evidence that either technology causes harm in real-world settings, a cohort of committed activists continues to insist that both should be banned. Why have these tactics been so effective, and how can scientists counter them today?

On average, it takes several decades of research and $250 million to discover and commercialize a new weedkiller. Since these chemicals play such an important role in food production, it’s worth considering why the development process is so arduous and expensive. An obvious question also arises: can anything be done to accelerate the introduction of new herbicides?