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Can RNA-i based products revolutionize agriculture?

Scientists think they're on the edge of a breakthrough that could give farmers a silver bullet to kill pests without affecting the environment around them. But critics fear they're opening a Pandora's box. We hear the emerging debate over RNA-i technology in agriculture....
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Scientists think they're on the edge of a breakthrough that could give farmers a silver bullet to kill pests without affecting the environment around them. But critics fear they're opening a Pandora's box. We hear the emerging debate over RNA-i technology in agriculture.


In a lab at Western University, Vlad Zhirov describes spider mites with affection, but outside his lab, there are trillions and trillions of these mites -- and they do billions in damage to food crops each year. They're the same critters that also mess up your house plants.

Researchers in this lab, and others around the world, think they may have found a new way to stop spider mites in their tiny, but tyrannical tracks. It's a cutting-edge technology called RNA-interference, or RNA-i.

Its supporters say it may be the answer to the growing global problem of pesticide resistance. Critics, however, worry the consequences of applying this science could be dangerous.

Western Producer reporter, Robert Arnason

Robert Arnason has been reporting on RNA-i for The Western Producer, and he was in Brandon, Manitoba.

Specialist in Genomics & Molecular Developmental Biology, Mike Grbic

Mike Grbic is on the front line of developing this emerging technology and its application in agriculture. He's an associate professor at Western University in London Ontario who specializes in genomics and molecular and developmental biology. We reached him in La Granja, Spain.

Greenpeace Scientist, Janet Cotter

For all the potential he sees in RNA-i technology, there are those who are skeptical it will be a safe and effective tool in growing our food.

Janet Cotter is a senior scientist with Greenpeace who specializes in soil and crop science. She joined us from Exeter, England.

 

This segment was produced by Regina Network Producer, Sean Prpick.


Mail: Women in Film

The portrayal of women in film ... animated or otherwise ... has not evolved as much as you may think. Friday on The Current we heard from Stacy Smith, the lead researcher in a new study that looks at the representation of women in Hollywood -- both on and off the screen, which found that women were grossly under-represented.

Kenneth Chisholm of London, Ontario shared this:

"In fairness to Disney, most of their modern animated heroines are active and assertive. The most damning sign of Hollywood's sexism is Warner Brothers' choices for its theatrical superhero films: Superman and Batman each have multiple blockbusters while Wonder Woman still waits for hers."

Here's a tweet from Michel Plaxton who says:

"Trying to sell a screenplay featuring a strong female lead, I'm told "Women don't sell." It starts before the cameras roll."

To add your view, email us from our website. You can also call us toll free at 1 877 287 7366. Or tweet us @thecurrentcbc. And if you missed the conversation, you can always catch up with our podcast or listening from our website, cbc.ca/thecurrent.


Last Word - Glenn Close Promo

Later this week on The Current, we will speak with actor Glenn Close. As well as her work in film and television, she's become an advocate for mental health. Glenn Close gets today's Last Word.


Other segments from today's show:

The Koreas resume talks

Using the crowd to help diagnose rare diseases: Crowdmed.com

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