Viewpoint: Cyclospora alert—explaining the devastating impact of Trump’s cuts to public health Kate Wells, Stephanie Armour | August 13, 2026 +++++ +++++ +

Viewpoint: Cyclospora alert—explaining the devastating impact of Trump’s cuts to public health Kate Wells, Stephanie Armour | August 13, 2026 https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/08/13/viewpoint-cyclospora-alert-explaining-the-devastating-impact-of-trumps-cuts-to-public-health/ The next foodborne illness outbreak could be much worse. Viewpoint: Is geo-engineering the ‘break glass in case of emergency’ solution to uncontrollable climate change—or manufactured fear Ted Nordhaus | August 11, 2026 https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/08/11/viewpoint-is-geo-engineering-the-break-glass-in-case-of-emergency-solution-to-uncontrollable-climate-change-or-manufactured-fear/ It’s easy to forget today, as more and more people have come to take the idea of solar geoengineering seriously, that the idea first really broke through into elite public consciousness as something of a troll. The notion had been discussed in a few arcane corners of the academy over previous decades. My uncle, William Nordhaus, even briefly mentioned it in his seminal 1975 paper on climate change. But the 2009 publication of SuperFreakonomics, by Steven Levitt and Steven Dubner, was the first time that discussion of the topic, to my knowledge, broke through to the mainstream. Levitt and Dubner argued that it would be far cheaper to simply hack the atmosphere with sulfur particles than to reorganize the global economy around non-fossil technology. The COVID vaccine turbo cancer scare is back. Science still proves it’s wrong. Jess Steier | August 12, 2026 https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/08/12/the-covid-vaccine-turbo-cancer-scare-is-back-science-still-proves-its-wrong/ Aviral claim has been resuscitated. You may have seen it early in the COVID vaccine days: the claim that the vaccine is linked to the big C. This was back when mRNA technology seemed new, despite decades of research already behind it. The scariest version even had a name, turbo cancer, for tumors supposedly appearing or roaring back at unnatural speed. I’d hoped the claim was behind us. It isn’t. It’s back with new faces attached, including actual oncologists, the very people who treat cancer for a living. There’s even a new study being used to support it. Look closely, though, and it falls apart. Science Literacy Project Daily Digest Science Controversies in the Media How RFK, Jr. and his family could rake in billions from vaccine tort cases Shannon Firth | MedPage Today https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/08/13/how-rfk-jr-and-his-family-could-rake-in-billions-from-vaccine-tort-cases/ Viewpoint: Mel Gibson’s goofy endorsement of ivermectin as a cancer cure worries responsible physicians Erika Gonzalez, Patricia Fantis | NBC News https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/08/13/viewpoint-mel-gibsons-goofy-endorsement-of-ivermectin-as-a-cancer-cure-worries-responsible-physicians/ Chips, sodas and other ultraprocessed foods made with GMO corn or soybeans will have to carry bioengineered labels Sarah Zimmerman | Food Dive https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/08/13/chips-sodas-and-other-ultraprocessed-foods-made-with-gmo-corn-or-soybeans-will-have-to-carry-bioengineered-labels/ First viruses designed by AI raise hope for new medicines. What could go wrong? Ian Sample | The Guardian https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/08/13/first-viruses-designed-by-ai-raise-hope-for-new-medicines-what-could-go-wrong/ Viewpoint: RFK Jr.’s new cooking show is a bouillabaisse of misinformation Madeline Peck | Eating Well https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/08/12/viewpoint-rfk-jr-s-new-cooking-show-is-a-bouillabaisse-of-misinformation/ Death by mutation: Attempts to extend life will eventually hit the brick wall of accumulating damaged cells Tim Newman | Medical News Today https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/08/12/death-by-mutation-attempts-to-extend-life-will-eventually-hit-the-brick-wall-of-accumulating-damaged-cells/ Viewpoint: From COVID lifeline to accused criminal—the bizarre story of how Stephen Miller’s pregnant wife turned on Anthony Fauci Melody Schreiber | The Guardian https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/08/12/viewpoint-from-covid-lifeline-to-accused-criminal-the-bizarre-story-of-how-stephen-millers-pregnant-wife-turned-on-anthony-fauci/ Misinformation vs Disinformation: Your guide through the increasingly wacky and dangerous world of social media Canadian Medical Association https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2026/08/12/misinformation-vs-disinformation-your-guide-through-the-increasingly-wacky-and-dangerous-world-of-social-media/