Touchpoint 1
One-crop farming can be bad for bee health
What is it?
Even if bees live on a farm with a single crop (food source), bees still have diverse gut microbiome. Unlike humans, bees can eat a single crop and still have gut diversity. But researchers did find that single crops can increase bee disease transmission and it’s better to plant some strips of diverse vegetation among the crops.
Potential message to students:
Do you believe bees are not affected if they eat the same sunflower nectar every day? If not, why do humans need a diverse diet and not bees? Do you think planting diverse crops allows the bees to leave their bacteria that cause diseases in plants that may not transmit it as easily?
Touchpoint 2
Canadian DNA lab knew its paternity tests identified the wrong dads, but it kept selling them
What is it?
A DNA lab in Canada sold faulty tests that identified the wrong biological fathers. In some cases, the tests ruled out the actual father of the child. The company is accused of interviewing women about potential fathers and then just picking one from the list.
Potential message to students:
Do you think any human should ever trust a single DNA test? Should all mothers choose two random testing facilities? Should courts require two separate DNA tests for criminal suspects? Do you think the owner of this company should go to jail?
Touchpoint 3
Cannabis Use Linked to Lower Dementia Risk
What is it?
Researchers believe that recreational cannabis users have a much lower risk of getting dementia as they grow older. They believe this applies to those over 45 years old and the frequency and method of consumption did not matter.
Potential message to students:
Do you have dementia in your family and would you recommend to a family member to try cannabis to reduce the chances of getting dementia? What other health areas do you think Cannabis may benefit? Do you think we should slow down on making cannabis available so we don’t go overboard and possibly force new laws outlawing it in the future?