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Future Out Loud: DIY Biohacking with Todd Kuiken

Source: Future Out Loud Podcast
May 16, 2018

Andrew Maynard and Heather Ross talk with senior researcher and DIY Bio expert Dr. Todd Kuiken at the 2018 Governance of Emerging Technologies and Science conference, about the present and future of DIY bio communities in the U.S. and worldwide.

Length: 27 minutes

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Talking Biotech: Insect Gene Drives, Part 1

Source: Talking Biotech Podcast
March 31, 2018

Gene drives are a powerful technology that may be used to control pests. The concepts key off of exploiting genetic vulnerabilities that are rapidly inherited, and cause populations to crash over a short time. Such instances happen naturally, but now scientists are engineering the genetics of pests to induce steep population declines from gene drives. Dr. Fred Gould from NC State University discusses the technology, its risks, regulation and some of the social aspects of application of the science.

Related publicationAgricultural production: assessment of the potential use of Cas9-mediated gene drive systems for agricultural pest control

Length: 47 minutes

Talking Biotech: Insect Gene Drives, Part 2

Source: Talking Biotech Podcast
April 6, 2018

Dr. Jennifer Kuzma received her training in biochemistry, and then later found herself working in social sciences. In this pod, Dr. Kuzma speaks with Dr. Paul Vincelli (@Pvincell) about the social and political considerations of gene drives. She discusses ethics, policy and regulation, as well surprising imperatives where gene drives may be necessary for conservation or human health.

Related publication: A Roadmap to Gene Drives: A Deliberative Workshop to Develop Frameworks for Research and Governance

Length: 53 minutes

 

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First in Future: GES Center Co-Director Jennifer Kuzma

Source: Institue for Emerging Issues
December 12, 2017

Dr. Jennifer Kuzma speaks with Leslie Boney, Director of the Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at NC State on the First in Future podcast. In this pod, Dr. Kuzma discusses gene edited mosquitoes, the ethics of Ancestry.com, DIYbio, and why Millennials give her hope. Plus, her book recommendations – Rise of the Robots by Martin Ford – and which Bob Dylan song best summarizes her view of the future. Read more

Length: 38 minutes

The Ability To Edit Genes Raises Big Questions On Regulation

genes

Public Domain Pictures / Pixabay Commons

Source: WUNC’s The State of Things with Frank Stasio
November 28, 2017

GES Senior Research Scholar Dr. Todd Kuiken speaks with Frank Stasio about the latest research into synthetic biology, some of the opportunities these technologies present, potential drawbacks and conversations we are or should be having about their regulation.

INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHT – On the promise of synthetic biology:

One of the promises, so to speak, that people are looking at utilizing CRISPR is to deal with disease vectors. So malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes. If you could utilize these techniques say, for instance, for engineering a genetic trait that would either make all of the offspring infertile … Over time that population of mosquitoes could potentially die out. Read more

Length: 19 minutes
Tags: Synthetic biology, CRISPR, gene drives, regulation, DIYbio, biosafety and biosecurity

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Science Vs GMO... OMG?

Source: Gimlet Media “Science Vs”
April 13, 2017

Science Vs peels back the label on GM foods to find out whether they’re safe to eat and what impact they can have on the environment. Both sides of the debate have written impassioned songs, but what does the science say? We talk to Prof. Fred Gould, Dr. Janet Cotter, and Prof. David Douches to find out.

Length: 44 minutes

Are we prepared for our gene altered future?

Are we prepared for our gene altered future?

A biologist releases genetically modified mosquitoes in the city on February 11, 2016 in Piracicaba, Brazil. (Victor Moriyama/Getty Images)
Source: CBC Radio’s Quirks and Quarks with Bob McDonald
March 25, 2017

White button mushrooms that don’t brown. Crops resistant to infection. Lab-grown meat. Chickenless eggs. Fragrant moss for your home. Gene drives to wipe out pest species. Even synthetic embryos for research. The list of new biotech products in development goes on and on.

Jennifer Kuzma speaks with Bob McDonald about her the report from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences committee that she is a member of called “Preparing for Future Products of Biotechnology.

Download report
Length: 8 minutes


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Scientists Closer To Creating A Fully Synthetic Yeast Genome

Source: All Things Considered with Rob Stein
March 9, 2017

Todd Kuiken speaks with All Things Considered about the impact of synthetic biology on society, including possible dangers.

Excerpt

That prospect worries some biologists, environmentalists, bioethicists and others. The concern is that synthetic microbes, plants or animals might damage the environment in unpredictable ways if they’re released either accidentally or on purpose.

“You can think of it of like introducing an invasive species into a different environment,” says Todd Kuiken, a senior research scholar at North Carolina State University’s Genetic Engineering and Society Center. “It will have some type of impact to the system.” Read more 

Length: 4 minutes

Talking Biotech #67: The National Academies Report on Genetic Engineering

Source: Talking Biotech Podcast
Source: Talking Biotech Podcast
January 28, 2017

The National Academies of Science is one of the most respected scientific organizations on the planet, composed of well-established scientists and other scholars that perform important functions in vetting scientific claims and steering scientific agendas of a nation.  Every several years the NAS commissions a review of the literature on genetic engineering in crop plants.  Over the last several years the NAS appointed a diverse group do perform the 3rd such comprehensive evaluation. Dr. Fred Gould was the Chair of that group, and speaks with Dr. Paul Vincelli about the charge to the committee and some of the outcomes.

Download report
Length: 34 minutes

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As a GMO Pillar Wobbles, Biotech Companies Promise New Insect-Killing Genes

Corn rootworm beetle larvae feed on maize root and seed. Nigel Cattlin/Science Source

Source: All Things Considered with Dan Charles
September 22, 2016

Fred Gould speaks with Dan Charles about Bt-resistant corn rootworms, and regulation of gene altered crops. Read more

Length: 3 minutes

Radio in Vivo: Future Biotech Policy

Source: Radio in Vivo
September 21, 2016

Guest: Dr. Jennifer Kuzma, Goodnight-NC GSK Foundation Distinguished Professor, School of Public and International Affairs, and Co-Director, Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center, North Carolina State University

Download Report: Future Biotechnology Products and Opportunities to Enhance Capabilities of the Biotechnology Regulatory System

Length: 55 minutes
Tags: Gene drives, GES Center, NAS Biotech Study, governance, emerging technologies

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Scientists Give Genetically Modified Organisms A Safety Switch

Scientists reprogrammed the common bacterium E. coli so it requires a synthetic amino acid to live. BSIP/UIG via Getty Images

Source: All Things Considered with Richard Harris
January 21, 2015

Jennifer Kuzma speaks with Richard Harris on All Things Considered about public perceptions of the safety of genetically modified organisms. Read more

Length: 34 minutes

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