Andrew Porterfield
CRISPR conundrum: Is there a line between GMOs and ‘natural’ crops when genes are edited?
New gene-editing techniques like CRISPR can be detected, but can't be distinguished from "natural" genetic changes. Should regulators and the ...
Born killer or normal mind? Genes, brain scans and mental health
What's a normal mind? Do brain scans provide any insight? The answer is stranger than you think ...
Worst 10 list: Advocacy groups that put ideology ahead of science on food and farming issues
Which organizations promote ideology over science in the debate over crop biotechnology? The list includes some of the most well-known ...
4 human genetics organizations that put ideology ahead of science
There are legitimate concerns about the rapid pace of genetics research. But some of the most well known groups seen ...
Cognitive dissonance: Why some people ignore science and reject GMO safety
Logical, science-based arguments often seem to have no affect on people hardened in their opposition to GMOs. The reasons are ...
Organic activists claim organic Ruby Red grapefruits and durum wheat are GMOs in disguise
Last century, a genetic innovation gave a huge boost to agricultural productivity. And, no, it wasn't recombinant DNA. And yes, ...
Glyphosate found ‘not carcinogenic’: Key European safety agency joins consensus view on herbicide’s safety
A key European safety agency says glyphosate does not cause cancer, paving the way for the herbicide to regain long-term ...
Psychotherapy revival: Can “talk” therapy change our brains and genes?
"Talk therapy" has fallen out of fashion as being more art than science. But new research suggests that psychotherapy may ...
DNA forensics is not an infallible tool — but not because of science
DNA has revolutionized how crimes are solved. But blunders by investigators have thrown a cloud over the use of genetic ...
Myth busting: Is agricultural pesticide use in the US, and its impact, going down or up?
Anti-GMO groups have shifted their focus from demonizing GMO crops directly to criticizing chemical usage, particularly the herbicide glyphosate, for ...
Genetics may have played a part in electing Trump president
Do our genetics influence whether we lean to the political left or right? It's obviously more complicated than that, but ...
What genetics reveals about traditional Chinese medicine
Can Chinese medicine impact the human genome, and deliver on its promises? A variety of individual responses to these therapies ...
Can water protect you from glyphosate ‘poisoning’? Gilles-Eric Séralini’s homeopathy “detox” hoax
The controversial French scientist fronts for a homeopathy company that has funded much of his research. What does mainstream science ...
Myth busting on ‘contamination’: GMO farms’ halo effect often protects organic farms
Some organic farmers worry that their farms can be ‘contaminated’ by modified crops grown nearby. But no organic farmers in ...
How to save Monarch butterflies? Banning glyphosate and planting milkweeds won’t help
According to activists, the decline of the Monarch butterfly population is primarily due to the over application of the popular ...
Buzz Kill: How the Sierra Club uses scare tactics about bee health and twists the science to raise money
The Sierra Club, once venerated for its problem-solving approach to environmental issues, has become a shrill campaigner against many modern ...
After early setbacks, gene therapy’s comeback nearly complete
After some horrifying early setbacks, gene therapy's back. Researchers have learned from early mistakes to make the therapy safer and ...
Glyphosate in wine and cereal? Why dubious detection methods undermine GMO scare claims
Two NGO commissioned studies found parts per billion concentrations of glyphosate in wine and oatmeal. Are these findings cause for ...
Glyphosate herbicide in vaccines? Here is what concerned parents should know
Scientists say Moms Across America glyphosate-vaccine study methods don't reveal anything about herbicide ...
New York PTA’s proposed bans on GMOs, milk from rBST-treated cows flunk science
Scientists say the NY PTA has been hijacked by anti-GMO activists who want to impose their beliefs on the food ...
Eliminating food waste requires behavioral changes, but GMOs can help too
Economists show solving the food waste problem is more than a matter of avoiding the trash bin ...
GMO myth busting: Behold the dandelion, the weed with farm busting superpowers
What does it mean to say that weeds are developing a "resistance" to glyphosate or another pesticide? Is this related ...
Mitochondrial therapy—More than “three parent” babies—Stalls in ethical battle
Mitchondria DNA replacement is much more than "three parent babies." It might treat a wide range of diseases ...
Is the organic farming yield gap a sustainability gap too? New study argues for cooperation
Organic farming can't match conventional's yields. But if the acrimony could end, farmers now pitted against one another could crossbreed ...
No rotten tomatoes—Can genetic engineering help create a tastier but still hardy fruit?
From Flavr Savr to today, a history of the genetically modified tomato ...
Why activists, but few farmers, complain they can’t save patented seeds
Farmers don't save seeds because buying patented hybrids makes sense. It's not because of evil Big Ag ...
War in Europe—Battle over glyphosate
The battle over glyphosate rages on in Europe, creating a lot of question marks over whether the popular herbicide will ...
Global trade treaties on firing line: Cartagena Protocol, relic of earlier era promoting GMO fears
The Cartagena Protocol, started with the best intentions, may be out of date ...
