Five Interesting Things: Today’s Scan Hits
Here are five indicators, observations or articles that caught the eye of FA futurists today.
- An article in the New Republic says that older parenthood–including aging fathers, not just mothers–may be a key factor in the rising rates of autism, Asperger’s, and other neurological disorders in the US.
- A new Brookings Institution study examines Chinese science and technology policy, including its push into “green” technology.
- RNA interference technology under development at several major seed companies would allow genetically engineered plants to produce small pieces of RNA that selectively turn off key genes in target insects–a more advanced, better targeted form of plant-produced pesticide than that employed by the widely used Bt corn. Critics argue that the same RNA molecules could harm humans.
- The U.S. now ranks 27th in life expectancy out of 34 developed countries. In 1990, the U.S. was ranked 20th. Yet the U.S. spends more than any developed country on healthcare. The reasons often given are bad eating habits, no exercise, smoking, and the poor not having access to health care. However, when we look back to the 1950’s, we find that people ate badly, didn’t exercise, smoked a lot and were healthier. In a recent JAMA study, it was found that the one key indicator in our past and one that holds true across countries is the level of inequality. This creates stress in a society and should be treated as a societal vital sign.
- Neurologically speaking, the brain and the gut are closely linked, an emerging body of research attests–to the point that the health of our internal microbiome may affect our mood, mental health, and even behavior.