Featured in Weekly Newsletter
Breaking down the ‘scientific and statistical sins’ behind reporting on marijuana science
A new book and New Yorker feature are filled with cherry-picked data, oversimplified studies, and scientific errors ...
Viewpoint: Controversy flares over activist ‘predatort lawyers’ who ‘massaged facts’ in the Monsanto-glyphosate case
Lawyers often use a certain breed of self-interested scientist to terrify a jury of vulnerable non-specialists ...
Building a better mini brain: How these tiny organoids can boost fight against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s
It’s your favorite organ, self-assembling, ready to go ...
How genetic engineering can help Africa cope with climate change by tweaking crops, animals
The impact of climate change on African crops could be mitigated by GE technologies ...
Newborns and genome sequencing: Do we sacrifice privacy in the name of health?
If history provides a lesson, routine newborn genomic sequencing won’t come without a fight ...
A tricky study about links between GMO rejectionism and education, and evidence the biotech debate may not be as ideologically polarized as most people think
Before we do an end-zone dance over this study, let's look at its limitations ...
Nigeria has its first GMO cowpea. The battle for public acceptance is just getting started
A war of words over a recently-released genetically modified cowpea has divided the Nigerian public and raised concerns about the ...
Gluten free diets are all the rage—here’s why that could be a bad thing
Gluten-free diets are all the rage, even though only a tiny fraction of us are susceptible to celiac-linked reactions. But ...
From a sustainability perspective, GMO AquaBounty salmon should be a ‘dream come true’. Why do environmentalists oppose it?
The flip-flop by Food and Water Watch and other advocacy groups rests not on environmental or science-based concerns but on ...
Gene drives: Why the best option for fighting mosquito-borne diseases is the ‘mosquito itself’
Gene drives are now a viable method of fighting mosquito-borne disease ...
Viewpoint: Pervert science at your peril—anti-GMO campaigners, vaccine deniers and ‘bee-pocalypse’ scaremongers find common ground in ‘evidence rejectionism’
Widespread misunderstanding of the nature of science and the confirmation bias spawned by social media and the internet can have ...
Séralini pseudoscience syndicate: Lessons learned from decade-long assault on biotechnology orchestrated by French geneticist
A look at Séralini's modus operandi can equip journalists and other interested observers to turn a critical eye on Séralini ...
Is gender identity fluid or fixed? What we know about other animals might help inform the debate.
Distinguishing between sex and gender is a vital first step in understanding gender identity ...
Infographic: Are genetically engineered crops less safe than classically-bred food?
Crops and foods today are not what they used to look like. Farmers and plant breeders have been modifying plant ...
What’s the future of human gene editing? Balancing ethical and religious concerns with evidence-based uses of genetic technologies
The November announcement of CRISPR-created babies provoked an intense uproar from scientists, ethicists and the public alike. Fears of independent ...
Key to fecal transplants could revolve around ‘recipe and preparation’
Fecal transplants are slowly becoming a more effective, and more palatable option for various gut disorders, such as IBS or ...
41% glyphosate-cancer increase claim under fire: Did authors of new meta-study deliberately manipulate data or just botch their analysis?
Among other lapses, The Zhang paper does not mention the serious science and ethical questions raised pertaining to IARC’s assessment ...
Why neonicotinoid pesticides don’t deserve a ‘deadly to bees’ label
While some activists blame the popular class of pesticides for bee deaths, research suggests there are many contributing factors. And ...
Is love a mystery of the heart? Or hard-wired in our genes?
Scientists have identified a number of genetic markers that 'code' humans for attraction--genes for intelligence, subtle human body odors, height ...
Ouch! Why is pain so much worse for some of us?
Exploring how pain differs from person to person ...
Viewpoint: Here’s why we don’t have to worry about a world without insects
Recent headlines about the coming collapse of the insect world are another case of extrapolation from inadequate data ...
Deep dive into the science and history of Monsanto’s glyphosate-based weed killer
The science behind the product, the fight over glyphosate, and the research behind the formulations ...
Many people are confused and concerned about human gene editing. They might just need a ‘better understanding’ of how it works
Genome editing has struck a public nerve in a more profound way than most new medical technologies ...
Rebellion against Europe’s ‘innovation-killing’ crop gene editing regulations grows among scientists, frustrated member states
Will Europe continue to be a science backwater? Does gene editing have a future in this part of the world? ...
Battling Parkinson’s disease by rejuvenating aging cells
For many degenerative conditions, there are no cures, just treatments designed to slow the progression. But we may soon be ...
Reality check: Eating locally grown food isn’t always the most sustainable option
Eating local has not achieved its goal of reducing emissions through fewer food miles. The fix could include embracing genetic ...
Only 18% of people with breast and ovarian cancer genes knew they were carriers, study found. How can we make DNA screening work better?
New research shows that only 18% of those who tested positive for breast cancer genes knew they had them ...
