You don’t need to be a scientist to have an opinion about the recent controversy over the Chinese researcher who created the world’s first genome-edited twins. But how did he do it? And what exactly is CRISPR? Today in The Conversation Canada, John Bergeron, a professor of medicine at McGill University, explains the history of gene editing (including Canada’s role) and how this latest development has raised fears “comparable to the consequences of nuclear warfare and climate change.”

It’s one of several articles we’re offering up today that are meant to expand your knowledge and provoke debate on some important topics.

• The news that the social media platform Tumblr is banning “adult content” may have an unexpected negative effect on LGBTQ youth.
• We may be happy that the postal service has resumed as the holiday season approaches, but there’s historical precedent to suggest the government’s back-to-work legislation could come back to haunt Justin Trudeau in next year’s election.
• The opioid crisis is still a major problem, but in some areas across Canada, crystal methamphetamine has become the drug of choice – especially among gay and queer men.
• Thursday was White Ribbon Day, a date Canadians remember the 14 women killed in 1989 at École Polytechnique in Montréal. But why is there still a debate about whether the killings were an act of terrorism against all women?

And finally…remember homeroom in high school? It was a relatively safe and calm place where we all started the school day. Eva Pomeroy, who currently holds the position of Social Innovator in Residence for the Faculty of Arts and Science at Concordia University, suggests a similar setting should be considered for university undergrads. They would benefit from “a small, continuous community where people connect with each other and, together, make sense of what they are learning.”

Regards,