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Field trials of gene-edited crops could be rolled out in England in coming years after the government this week decided to relax rules regulating testing. While that won’t yet change the food we buy and eat in the UK, it brings commercial gene-edited crops a step closer. And, argues Guy Poppy, professor of ecology at Southampton University, it could allow scientific understanding of gene editing’s promise to blossom.
In a wide-ranging Q+A, Poppy mulls the potential for gene editing to make food crops more resilient in the face of climate change and dwindling genetic diversity, and how changing attitudes towards science might allow a more fruitful debate on gene-edited food.
It’s a pertinent topic given that severe droughts and frosts have caused coffee bean prices to double in just the last year, as this article explains. Plus we learn about the rise of CGI influencers and the serious questions their fabricated social media accounts raise about the representation and commodification of black culture.
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Jack Marley
Environment + Energy Editor
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Attasit Saentep/Shutterstock
Guy Poppy, University of Southampton
Field trials of genetically edited crop plants are to be allowed in England under new government proposals.
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Beans are booming.
Robert Shunev/Unsplash
Jonathan Morris, University of Hertfordshire
The black stuff is suddenly much more expensive – the question is whether smallhold farmers will see any of the proceeds.
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Shanvood/Shutterstock
Francesca Sobande, Cardiff University
The creation of social media accounts based on fictional models raises pointed questions about race, representation and commodification.
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Arts + Culture
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Sung-ae Lee, Macquarie University
Squid Game is the latest South Korean television show to highlight vast socio-economic inequality and the brutal trap of capitalism.
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Jack Hardwicke, University of Northampton; Eric Anderson, University of Winchester; Keith Parry, Bournemouth University; Rory Magrath, Solent University
The sporting world is finally opening up for all athletes.
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John Doyle, University of Sussex; Daniel Burdsey, University of Brighton
From celebratory calypsos to more critical reggae tracks, Black British music has had a huge influence on the evolving sound of football.
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Politics + Society
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Naomi Cahn, University of Virginia
Spears’ battle to end her conservatorship may lead to reforms.
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Gemma Ware, The Conversation; Daniel Merino, The Conversation
Plus, the health benefits of saunas and hot baths, particularly after exercise. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.
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Health + Medicine
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Robert Baloh, University of California, Los Angeles
Havana syndrome has spread to government officials around the world and stumped doctors for years. Despite news of mysterious attacks, evidence suggests mass psychogenic illness may be the true cause.
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Ian Hamilton, University of York
Although a recent review found a lack of evidence to support these products, this doesn’t mean cannabis can’t help some people with sleep. We need better research.
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Science + Technology
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Robin Preece, University of Manchester; Ali Ehsan, University of Manchester
A shift to heating our homes by heat pumps would put massive pressure on the electricity grid.
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Featured events
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— The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, Manchester, M139PL, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Manchester
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— The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, Manchester, M139PL, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Manchester
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— Thomas Paine Study Centre Lecture Theatre, University of East Anglia, Norwich , Norfolk, NR4 7TJ , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of East Anglia
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— Online, Oxford, Oxfordshire, N/A, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of Oxford
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