Talking Biotech with Dr. Kevin Folta - Cancer Misinformation - Dr. Skyler Johnson

Cancer Misinformation - Dr. Skyler Johnson

11/12/22 • 35 min

"Cancer" is the generic term applying to any one of many cellular proliferative disorders that threaten normal physiology. Various cancers have specific etiologies and require expertise in detection and treatment. New therapies are as innovative as they are promising, and a once dreaded prognosis now may have increased opportunity for cure, with better therapies on the horizon. But as it goes, with innovation comes resistance, and false information about cancer and its treatment flourish on social media. Today's guest is Dr. Skyler Johnson from the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute. He describes his work as a radiation oncologist and how misinformation permeates online discussion of cancer, oftentimes with tragic outcomes.

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Livestock, Climate Change, and Attacks on a Scientist - Dr. Frank Mitloehner

Animal agriculture contributes greenhouse gases that can influence climate change. One source in particular is cattle, as ruminant livestock produce methane from their specialized digestion, which is an especially potent greenhouse gas. Dr. Frank Mitloehner of the University of California Davis is an air quality expert in the area of ruminant biology. His research examines ways to mitigate the impact of livestock on climate, and his outreach efforts ensure that the information reaches the farmers and ranchers that can employ these strategies. In today's podcast we discuss the role of livestock in animal agriculture, as well as how he communicates new researchers to stakeholders. In the second half, we discuss an article in the New York Times that specifically targets Dr. Mitloehner, suggesting that big-money-industry taints his research and outreach outcomes. This baseless attack on a scientist's reputation is unsubstantiated by evidence, yet is penetrating, visible media clearly designed to harm a trusted public scientist and scholar. We discuss the impacts and how to scientists push through baseless allegations.

Next Episode

The Genomes of Parasites - Dr. Jessie Kissinger

Parasites are known contributors to human disease and suffering, spanning a wide range of organisms. Dr. Jessie Kissinger from the University of Georgia has spent the last two decades curating genomic data from hundreds of parasites, their vectors and hosts. The information helps researchers generate hypotheses about parasites, and presents a fertile resources for comparing genomes and understanding similarities and differences across this diverse set of organisms.

VEuPathDB.org (Vector and Eukaryotic Pathogens Resource Center)

ClinEpiDB.org (Clinical and Epidemiological resource with DIY analyses and many BGMF studies)

@jcklab (Dr. Kissinger twitter)

mango.ctegd.uga.edu (lab website)