Science Controversies
Here is the origin of the term AGI—Artificial General Intelligence
[Artificial] general intelligence, or AGI, [is] the stage at which computers can match or surpass human intelligence. ... Prognosticators say ...
About “genetic losers” and “mad genes”: My encounter with one of the most brilliant and controversial scientists of the genome era
The recent death of James Watson, co-discoverer with Francis Crick of the three-dimensional structure of the genetic material DNA, brought ...
Viewpoint: The ‘massive anti-vax, anti-public health propaganda machine’ promoting RFK. Jr. and his band of HHS grifters
It’s a great time to be a MAHA-pilled anti-vaxxer, because there are so many fun conferences to attend. ... The ...
Viewpoint: Ways that HHS Secretary Kennedy lied when he pledged his commitment to ‘gold standard science’
Under the reign of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., ... thousands of people have lost their jobs, the organization’s policies have been hijacked by allies ...
‘Biotech Barbie’ Manhattan Project: Will CRISPR babies escape the shadow of He Jiankui?
Cathy Tie left university to found her first biotechnology company at the age of 18. In the 11 years since, ...
Tom Brady paid $50,000 to clone his beloved dog. The same procedure can help revive endangered, inbred species
[We] heard that Tom Brady had his dog cloned. The former quarterback revealed that his Junie is actually a clone ...
Animal rights advocates align with RFK, Jr.’s attempt to phase out animal testing in favor of high-tech, human-based alternatives
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s making animal welfare a component of his Make America Healthy Again mission. The health secretary has ...
mRNA is ground zero in RFK, Jr. and MAHA’s war on expertise
We messaged each other with just three words: "Did you see?" We both knew what the other meant. After years ...
GLP podcast: Evolutionary biologist debunks the ‘sex spectrum’
The science is settled: biological sex is not a spectrum but a binary, and the evidence is undeniable to anyone ...
When gene editing offers health and nutritional benefits, consumer acceptance rises significantly
The research, “Consumer Acceptance of Gene-Edited Foods,” found that consumers are significantly more open to gene-edited products when the benefits ...
Viewpoint: ‘God is an antivaxxer’—Don’t let the MAHA movement’s claims of being evidence-based fool you. It’s now full-on anti-vax
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. likes to say that he is not anti-vaccine, he is “pro-safety.” But when 1,000 ...
Viewpoint: Race and sex: The danger of oversimplifying the spectrum of human differences
In 2021, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz compared critical race theory — an academic subfield that examines the role of racism in American institutions, laws, ...
Losing jobs, increasing efficiency and profitability: Amazon jumps rivals in embracing warehouse robots
Artificial intelligence that makes humans more efficient and robots that make them less necessary: That’s the future Amazon is building in its ...
Can you really become addicted to food?
People often joke that their favorite snack is “like crack” or call themselves “chocoholics” in jest. But can someone really ...
Texas escalates legal attacks against Tylenol maker, asks judge to stop advertising (accurately) that the pain killer is safe
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has asked a federal judge to issue a restraining order against the makers of Tylenol ...
‘Defective and inherently dangerous’: ChatGPT facing multiple wrongful death and mental health breakdown lawsuits
Four wrongful death lawsuits were filed against OpenAI ..., as well as cases from three people who say the company’s ...
Viewpoint: Tort lawyer and HHS Secretary RFK, Jr. falsely claim thimerosal—used safely in vaccines for 90 years—contains dangerous mercury
RFK Jr. released a video addressed to the Minamata Convention on Mercury where he lied about vaccines. Again. And again ...
Why Texas and its marginalized communities are the epicenter of MAHA’s food and health movement
With its diverse population, a political establishment eager to please the Trump administration, and a cabal of prominent MAHA converts, ...
The emerging state-by-state patchwork of food additive bans raises concerns among food regulatory scientists
A coalition of major food companies and industry associations launched Americans for Ingredient Transparency (AFIT), aimed at stopping the growing trend ...
DNA pioneer James Watson’s remarkable—and controversial—career
Discovering the structure of ... DNA was a breakthrough that would help open the way to a revolution in medicine, ...
Viewpoint: No, we should not follow RFK, Jr.’s recommendation and quickly phase out biomedical research animal testing
In recent months, the Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health have announced new initiatives to reduce and replace animal ...
Here’s an argument for breaking the binary framework that now separates organic and conventional
Life was simpler when ‘conventional’ and ‘organic’ covered all approaches to farming. This binary viewpoint has helped the marketing of ...
‘The science is almost non-existent’: Latest longevity fad: N.A.D. supplements. Here’s an explainer
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or N.A.D.+, is a molecule found in all cells that’s essential for repairing damage, generating energy and ...
GLP podcast: Obesity—Disease or Choice? Ozempic’s Triumph Reignites the Debate
US obesity rates are falling from a record high after steadily climbing since the 1960s, dropping to 37 percent this ...
Viewpoint: A 33%+ drop in food allergies challenges RFk, Jr.’s scientifically unsupported claim that aluminum in vaccines is causing a surge
[A] new study published in the journal Pediatrics found the rate of food allergies has declined from about 1.5 percent of all American children ...
Viewpoint: Beware the cancer quacks: Here’s why ‘functional-medicine-doctor-practicing-without-a-license’ Casey Means is a disaster choice for surgeon general
It appears that our next U.S. Surgeon General will be Casey Means, who labels herself a “functional medicine” doctor. Or ...
Ultra-processed foods stimulate dopamine and are addictive? Latest science challenges activist consensus
A neuroimaging study of young, healthy adults showed that consuming a milkshake did not, on average, result in a significant ...
