Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Genetic engineering has provided humanity with a cure for sickle cell disease, COVID-19 vaccines, and even how we make cheese. But those opposed to these technologies exploit social media to spread false information and break trust in genetic engineering
Today we are at a precipice where the newest technologies stand to drive incredible innovation in agriculture, medicine, and conservation. However, these technologies hinge on public acceptance.
This talk was part of the exciting lineup for CSICon 2024. CSICon is the premiere conference in the US for science and skepticism.
Learn more at: csiconference.org
Their goal is to vilify useful technology for political or ideological reasons; sadly even trusted organizations fall victim to promoting misinformation. While the pace of innovation is accelerating, the deployment of technology must navigate a formidable social hurdle. The scientific and skeptical communities play a central role in identifying legitimate concerns, while at the same time countering mis /disinformation before innovation may proceed to application. This presentation frames new technologies, the tactics used to defame them, and how you can participate in effective strategic communication to advance their acceptance.
Kevin Folta is a professor researching plant molecular biology and genomics at the University of Florida. He teaches a popular course in critical thinking about claims in agriculture and medicine and leads popular workshops in science communication. He has been recognized with several prestigious awards for research, communication, and public service, including the CAST Borlaug Award in Agricultural Communication and the NSF CAREER award. His family farms fruit, vegetables, turkeys, and eggs for local markets in rural Florida. He has hosted the weekly Talking Biotech Podcast since 2015. Folta hates referring to himself in the third person. He received his PhD in 1998 from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
This talk took place during CSICon in Las Vegas on October 25, 2024
Genetic engineering has provided humanity with a cure for sickle cell disease, COVID-19 vaccines, and even how we make cheese. But those opposed to these technologies exploit social media to spread false information and break trust in genetic engineering
Today we are at a precipice where the newest technologies stand to drive incredible innovation in agriculture, medicine, and conservation. However, these technologies hinge on public acceptance.
This talk was part of the exciting lineup for CSICon 2024. CSICon is the premiere conference in the US for science and skepticism.
Learn more at: csiconference.org
Their goal is to vilify useful technology for political or ideological reasons; sadly even trusted organizations fall victim to promoting misinformation. While the pace of innovation is accelerating, the deployment of technology must navigate a formidable social hurdle. The scientific and skeptical communities play a central role in identifying legitimate concerns, while at the same time countering mis /disinformation before innovation may proceed to application. This presentation frames new technologies, the tactics used to defame them, and how you can participate in effective strategic communication to advance their acceptance.
Kevin Folta is a professor researching plant molecular biology and genomics at the University of Florida. He teaches a popular course in critical thinking about claims in agriculture and medicine and leads popular workshops in science communication. He has been recognized with several prestigious awards for research, communication, and public service, including the CAST Borlaug Award in Agricultural Communication and the NSF CAREER award. His family farms fruit, vegetables, turkeys, and eggs for local markets in rural Florida. He has hosted the weekly Talking Biotech Podcast since 2015. Folta hates referring to himself in the third person. He received his PhD in 1998 from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
This talk took place during CSICon in Las Vegas on October 25, 2024
