Each year, science communication students at the University of Otago’s Department of Science Communication are tasked with producing a podcast on a controversial science topic. In this episode, we hear two of those stories – on weight loss and gene editing – from Amanda Konyn and Richard Marks.
Follow Our Changing World on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRADIO, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Is there a future for gene editing in pest control?
Photo: Amanda Konyn / Unsplash
In 2016, the then-government announced the “moonshot” goal to make New Zealand Predator Free by 2050. It’s an ambitious project that aims to remove three of the biggest threats to New Zealand’s native flora and fauna: rats, stoats, and possums.
However, current pest control methods are not likely to be enough to get us there. We need to develop new technologies in order to eradicate pests from Aotearoa. The technologies being considered includes types of genertic engineering (GE): gene editing and gene drives. But, given New Zealand’s GE-free stance, is there a path forward for this kind of technology? And if so, who gets to decide whether it’s appropriate to use?
To understand how gene editing might be able to help in the war against pests, science communication student Amanda Konyn speaks to Anna Clark, a PhD candidate and geneticist at the University of Otago. While conventional methods of pest control can remove up to 90% of pests from an area, the remaining 10% are particularly problematic to eradicate. As Anna puts it, “We just can’t seem to get rid of them.” It’s this 10% that could be targeted by genetic pest control.
But even if rigorous testing and research shows that gene drives would be safe and effective for pest control, we may not roll out the tech beyond the lab walls. While scientists may champion the technology, ultimately, the decision to use gene editing (or not) will rest with the public and with mana whenua. Amanda chats to biodiversity and pest control expert Tame Malcolm (Te arawa: Ngāti Tarāwhai, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Ngararanui, Ngāti Whakaue) about possible te ao Māori views on gene editing, and, why it’s vital for Māori to be consulted.
Thanks to Anna Clark and Tame Malcolm. Produced by University of Otago Department of Science Communication student Amanda Konyn. Music by Blue Dot Sessions (CC BY-NC 4.0).
To learn more:
- Alison Ballance chaired a debate between five experts in 2019: Predator Free NZ – Dream or reality?
- In 2020, Alison spoke to Professor Neil Gemmell about gene editing and gene drives in the episode 'Award for using DNA to better understand plants & animals'
Fat: Under the surface
Photo: 123rf
When it comes to weight loss, you might’ve heard the refrain to just “move more and eat less”. But this approach doesn’t always work – and in some cases may be causing more harm than help for those would like to lose weight.
Presenter Millie Gillard delves into the world of weight loss with Professor Dave Grattan from the University of Otago. They go beyond fast-food consumption and exercise mechanics to discuss how the obesity epidemic may have started, and why our current approaches aren’t as effective as we’d like them to be.
Dave outlines a genetic approach to obesity, explaining how our genes might play a much larger role in our weight than first expected. Perhaps, the hormones we produce are the real culprit behind weight gain – and are one of the reasons why obesity is still a problem despite our best efforts.
In particular, Dave explains that calling obesity a “lifestyle disorder” is problematic. It can not only make it near impossible for most people to lose weight effectively, but also implies blame where there should be none.
Listen to the episode to discover what is under the surface of weight loss, and why your fat might be here to stay.
Thanks to Professor Dave Grattan from the Centre for Neuroendocrinology at the University of Otago. Narration by Millie Gillard. Interview, editing and production by University of Otago Department of Science Communication student Richard Marks.
To learn more:
- Listen to this 2018 episode 'Over-eating might be in the brain'
