A CRISPR Bite: How gene-editing technology is changing our food

Corinne Ruff, GEAP3 Network, Lauren Crossland-Marr

CRISPR gene-editing technology came out as a massive biotech breakthrough in the last decade, but most people have still never heard of it. In this five-part series, food anthropologist Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr takes listeners into the labs where researchers are tinkering with food genes, to help break down the problems they’re hoping to solve – and what’s at stake.

  • 23 minutes 50 seconds
    Gravy: The Kitchen Electric

    When we think of the industrialization of America and the rise of electricity, we’re printed to think about people in cities and factories, where machines and assembly lines abound. But electricity transformed another area almost as much as it transformed the city or the factory… and that area is the house. And because of that there’s one really key demographic that’s impacted by electricity perhaps more than any other: women. 

    Today, we’re sharing a special episode from Gravy, produced by our friends over at Southern Foodways Alliance and distributed by APT Podcast Studios. Gravy showcases a South that is constantly evolving, using food as a means to dig into lesser-known corners of the region, to complicate stereotypes, to document new dynamics, and to give voice to the unsung folk who grow, cook, and serve our daily meals.

    Listen to more episodes of Gravy and follow the podcast.

    Leave a 5-star rating and review of this episode on Apple podcasts to help us spread the word. Have more to say? Email us at [email protected]. Follow for updates on Instagram @acrisprbite

    29 November 2023, 11:00 am
  • 32 minutes 53 seconds
    DNA Today: Sam Sternberg

    What are the key  safety, ethical and regulatory considerations for using CRISPR technology? DNA Today digs into all of that and more with biochemist and CRISPR expert Sam Sternberg.

    Enjoy this bonus episode from our friends at the DNA Today podcast. And be sure to follow their show for more great episodes.

    Leave a 5-star rating and review of this episode on Apple podcasts to help us spread the word. Have more to say? Email us at [email protected]. Follow for updates on Instagram @acrisprbite

    22 November 2023, 10:00 am
  • 29 minutes 37 seconds
    Outside/In: Dinner reservations

    Some folks promote local food. Others swear by veganism. But what is the most environmentally-friendly diet? And does it really matter what we eat? Or are there bigger fish to fry when it comes to climate activism?

    Enjoy this bonus episode from our friends at the Outside/In podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio. And be sure to follow their show for more great episodes.

    Leave a 5-star rating and review of this episode on Apple podcasts to help us spread the word. Have more to say? Email us at [email protected]. Follow for updates on Instagram @acrisprbite

    16 November 2023, 1:00 am
  • 33 minutes 39 seconds
    Cattle

    Hornless cattle were once the poster animals for a gene-editing revolution, until the FDA found a pesky mistake in their DNA. In this episode, we go to a California research farm to  explore unintended consequences.

    Clarification: The FDA has an established process for researchers to request authorization to put animals with investigational genomic alterations, including those made with CRISPR, into the food supply. But the FDA does not issue orders to incinerate those animals. The cattle at the heart of this story were ultimately incinerated. 

    Interviews:

    Credits

    A CRISPR Bite is supported by the Jean Monnet Network, which is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union through the GEAP-3 Network of scientists. More about our project here. This podcast does not reflect the views of our funders. 

    This podcast was co-written and hosted by Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr. Our executive producer is Corinne Ruff. She co-wrote, edited and produced the show. Jake Harper edited this episode. The show was sound designed and engineered by Adriene Lilly. Aaron Crossland made our theme music. Rachael Marr designed our logo.  Legal support from New Media Rights and marketing help from Tink Media. Maya Tsingos fact checked this episode.

    Thank you to the GEAP-3 team! Special thanks to Matthew Schnurr, Klara Fischer, and Glenn Stone for their support and advice on this podcast. 

    Leave a 5-star rating and review of this episode on Apple podcasts to help us spread the word. Have more to say? Email us at [email protected]. Follow for updates on Instagram @acrisprbite

    25 October 2023, 10:00 am
  • 22 minutes 20 seconds
    Wine

    Is CRISPR the solution to controlling the pest plaguing California’s wine industry? In this episode, we take you to a lab where researchers are using CRISPR to genetically modify a frightening insect responsible for spreading a bacteria and killing vines.

    Clarification: While Dr. Tim Martinson holds healthy skepticism about the hype around CRISPR technology now, he acknowledges that it's just starting to be used and he believes it will become a valuable tool – one of many in a grape breeder’s toolbox.  

    Resources

    • To learn more about wine grape breeding techniques, we highly recommend reading up on Dr. Tim Martinson's research on the subject here and here.

    Interviews

    • Dr. Tim Martinson, Senior Extension Associate (retired), School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section, Cornell AgriTech
    • Dr. Peter Atkinson, Professor of Entomology, University of California, Riverside
    • Dr. Linda Walling, Professor and Geneticist, Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside

    Credits

    A CRISPR Bite is supported by the Jean Monnet Network, which is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union through the GEAP-3 Network of scientists. More about our project here. This podcast does not reflect the views of our funders. 

    This podcast was co-written and hosted by Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr. Our executive producer is Corinne Ruff. She co-wrote, edited and produced the show. Jake Harper edited this episode. The show was sound designed and engineered by Adriene Lilly. Aaron Crossland made our theme music. Rachael Marr designed our logo.  Legal support from New Media Rights and marketing help from Tink Media

    Thank you to the GEAP-3 team! Special thanks to Matthew Schnurr, Klara Fischer, and Glenn Stone for their support and advice on this podcast. 

    Leave a 5-star rating and review of this episode on Apple podcasts to help us spread the word. Have more to say? Email us at [email protected]. Follow for updates on Instagram @acrisprbite

    18 October 2023, 10:00 am
  • 21 minutes 55 seconds
    Soy

    In Missouri, scientists are using CRISPR technology to pack plants with extra protein, in hopes of cutting down on the need for farm raised meat – a major contributor to greenhouse gasses. 

    Interviews

    • Dr. Jason Bull, Chief Technology Officer, Benson Hill
    • Dr. Matthew Begemann, Senior Director, Gene Editing & Trait Discovery, Benson Hill

    Credits

    A CRISPR Bite is supported by the Jean Monnet Network, which is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union through the GEAP-3 Network of scientists. More about our project here. This podcast does not reflect the views of our funders. 

    This podcast was co-written and hosted by Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr. Our executive producer is Corinne Ruff. She co-wrote, edited and produced the show. Jake Harper edited this episode. The show was sound designed and engineered by Adriene Lilly. Aaron Crossland made our theme music. Rachael Marr designed our logo.  Legal support from New Media Rights and marketing help from Tink Media. Maya Tsingos fact checked this episode.

    Thank you to the GEAP-3 team! Special thanks to Matthew Schnurr, Klara Fischer, and Glenn Stone for their support and advice on this podcast. 

    Leave a 5-star rating and review of this episode on Apple podcasts to help us spread the word. Have more to say? Email us at [email protected]. Follow for updates on Instagram @acrisprbite

    11 October 2023, 10:00 am
  • 22 minutes 9 seconds
    Tomatoes

    Can tomatoes made using CRISPR help relieve stress? In this episode, we take you to Japan to learn more about the first CRISPR food available on the market.

    Resources

    Interviews

    • Dr. Belinda Martineau, UC Davis Center for Healthcare Policy & Research
    • Haruka Nakata

    Credits

    A CRISPR Bite is supported by the Jean Monnet Network, which is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union through the GEAP-3 Network of scientists. More about our project here. This podcast does not reflect the views of our funders. 

    This podcast was co-written and hosted by Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr. Our executive producer is Corinne Ruff. She co-wrote, edited and produced the show. Jake Harper edited this episode. The show was sound designed and engineered by Adriene Lilly. Aaron Crossland made our theme music. Rachael Marr designed our logo.  Legal support from New Media Rights.

    Thank you to the GEAP-3 team! Special thanks to Matthew Schnurr, Klara Fischer, and Glenn Stone for their support and advice on this podcast. Special thanks to Fumino Tamaki for her help with organizing the Japanese interview. 

    Leave a 5-star rating and review of this episode on Apple podcasts to help us spread the word. Have more to say? Email us at [email protected]. Follow for updates on Instagram @acrisprbite

    4 October 2023, 12:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 9 seconds
    The First Bite

    CRISPR gene-editing technology is making many advances in the medical world, but you’re more likely to first encounter CRISPR on your plate. In this episode, we walk you through how CRISPR works, its opportunities and why some people worry that the risks may outweigh the potential benefits.

    Resources

    Interviews

    • Sonja Lindberg, PhD Candidate, Department of Sociology, Iowa State University
    • Dr. Michael Antoniou, Reader in Molecular Genetics, King’s College, London
    • Claire Robinson, Editor, GM Watch

    Credits

    A CRISPR Bite is supported by the Jean Monnet Network, which is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union through the GEAP-3 Network of scientists. More on our project here. This podcast does not reflect the views of our funders. 

    This podcast was co-written and hosted by Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr. Our executive producer is Corinne Ruff. She co-wrote, edited and produced the show. Jake Harper edited this episode. The show was sound designed and engineered by Adriene Lilly. Aaron Crossland made our theme music. Rachael Marr designed our logo.  Legal support from New Media Rights.

    Thank you to the GEAP-3 team! Special thanks to Matthew Schnurr, Klara Fischer, and Glenn Stone for their support and advice on this podcast.

    Leave a 5-star rating and review of this episode on Apple podcasts to help us spread the word. Have more to say? Email us at [email protected]. Follow for updates on Instagram @acrisprbite

    27 September 2023, 12:00 pm
  • 1 minute 12 seconds
    Welcome to A CRISPR Bite

    CRISPR gene-editing technology came out as a massive biotech breakthrough in the last decade, but most people have still never heard of it. In a new five-part series, food anthropologist Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr takes listeners into the labs where researchers are tinkering with food genes, to help break down the problems they’re hoping to solve – and what’s at stake.

    Credits

    A CRISPR Bite is supported by the Jean Monnet Network, which is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union through the GEAP-3 Network of scientists. This podcast does not reflect the views of our funders. 

    This podcast was co-written and hosted by Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr. Our executive producer is Corinne Ruff. She co-wrote, edited and produced the show. The show was sound designed and engineered by Adriene Lilly. Aaron Crossland made our theme music. Rachael Marr designed our logo.  Legal support from New Media Rights.

    Thank you to the GEAP-3 team! Special thanks to Matthew Schnurr, Klara Fischer, and Glenn Stone for their support and advice on this podcast.

    Leave a 5-star rating and review of this episode on Apple podcasts to help us spread the word. Have more to say? Email us at [email protected]. Follow for updates on Instagram @acrisprbite

    20 September 2023, 7:00 am
  • 40 seconds
    Introducing A CRISPR Bite

    CRISPR gene-editing technology came out as a massive biotech breakthrough in the last decade, but most people have still never heard of it. In this new five-part series, food anthropologist Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr takes listeners into the labs where researchers are tinkering with food genes, to help break down the problems they’re hoping to solve – and what’s at stake.

    Credits

    A CRISPR Bite is supported by the Jean Monnet Network, which is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union through the GEAP-3 Network of scientists. This podcast does not reflect the views of our funders. 

    This podcast was co-written and hosted by Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr. Our executive producer is Corinne Ruff. She co-wrote, edited and produced the show. The show was sound designed and engineered by Adriene Lilly. Aaron Crossland made our theme music. Rachael Marr designed our logo.  Legal support from New Media Rights. Marketing support from our friends at Tink Media.

    Thank you to the GEAP-3 team! Special thanks to Matthew Schnurr, Klara Fischer, and Glenn Stone for their support and advice on this podcast.

    Leave a 5-star rating and review of this episode on Apple podcasts to help us spread the word. Have more to say? Email us at [email protected]. Follow for updates on Instagram @acrisprbite

    7 September 2023, 7:00 am
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