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Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 241 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:
By engineering a bacterium to enhance the metabolism of alcohol, Zbiotics claims it’s developed a GM probiotic that can significantly reduce the risk of hangover after a night out at the bar. Taken as a shot before someone consumes alcohol, the product helps the gut break down a chemical called acetaldehyde, which Zbiotics says is largely responsible for the worst effects of binge drinking, based on cell-culture studies. Consumers who have tried the probiotic say it works well, but does the product stand up to scientific scrutiny?
Couples who can’t or won’t have their own children are increasingly hiring young women to gestate and give birth to their babies. The practice, known as surrogacy, is billed as a practical solution for infertility. But critics maintain that this multi-billion-dollar industry exploits the vulnerable to satisfy the preferences of wealthy celebrities who don’t want to endure pregnancy. There is also some evidence that surrogacy carries serious health risks for children and their biological mothers. Are these risks overblown, or is it time to strictly regulate, or even ban, this novel method of reproduction?
Citing access to medicine as a human right, some governments are restricting the intellectual property rights of pharmaceutical companies. The industry and some of its allies claim these regulations discourage innovation by robbing drug companies of the profits they earn and reinvest in future research and development. Rather than giving more patients access to medicine, tighter patent restrictions could actually limit everyone‘s access important therapies as Big Pharma develops ever-fewer drugs. Is there a reasonable middle ground that could expand access to medicine without gutting drug development?
Dr. Liza Dunn is a medical toxicologist and the medical affairs lead at Bayer Crop Science. Follow her on X @DrLizaMD
Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow him on X @camjenglish