About This Episode

Guest host Bill Nye says he’s changed his mind about GMOs. Find out why when he and co-host Chuck Nice answer your questions about the controversial subject of Genetically Modified Organisms. Bill tackles them in his own, inimitable style, from “Is Monsanto paying you?” to “Can we breed drought-tolerant crops?” Along the way, you’ll learn about new technology for assaying genes that’s 10 million times faster than 20 years ago, the truth about glyphosate and Roundup Ready seeds, the drawbacks to organic farming, and how GMOs could actually help reduce the stress on our crop-pollinating bee populations. Explore the differences between genetic modification and selective breeding, and find out how the sweet potato changed our understanding of what nature is capable of on its own. You’ll also hear about female scientists at Monsanto, and how Monsanto and other companies like Dupont, Con Agra and Dow have morphed from chemical manufacturers of products like Agent Orange into biotech firms helping to feed the world. And that’s just in Part 1.

NOTE: All-Access subscribers can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: Cosmic Queries: GMOs with Bill Nye (Part 1)