Skeptics Guide #1066

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #1066 December 9th 2025 Segment #1. News Items News Item #3 – Young Cancer https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/08/health/cancer-young-people-deaths.html News Item #2 – Adapting to Modern Life https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251207031335.htm News Item #1 – Safety of mRNA Vaccines https://theness.com/neurologicablog/new-study-on-the-covid-19-mrna-vaccines/ News Item #4 – Cosmic Rays Ground Aircraft https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251201-how-cosmic-rays-grounded-thousands-of-aircraft News Item #5 – Reverse Aging Claim https://www.aol.com/articles/simon-cowell-says-hes-aging-171258148.html Segment #2. Who’s That Noisy Segment #3. Your Questions and E-mails Question #1: Pronunciation Question #2: EU Gene Editing European Union negotiators reached a deal on new rules for gene editing to help farmers produce healthier animals and crops. The new rules exempt gene-edited plants and animals from the bloc's regulations covering genetically modified organisms because gene editing mimics the natural breeding process. The law still needs to be formally approved by the European Parliament and the EU Council to take effect. European Union negotiators reached a deal on new rules that pave the way for gene editing, a technique that will help farmers produce healthier animals and crops as they adjust to climate change. Representatives of member states, the European Commission and the European Parliament agreed in the early hours of Thursday on the final shape of a law that will exempt gene-edited plants and animals from the bloc’s regulations covering genetically modified organisms. Crucially, gene editing mimics the natural breeding process, and doesn’t introduce DNA from a different species like conventional GM organisms. Barry Appelman Segment #4. Who Am I Segment #5. Science or Fiction Each week our host will come up with three science news items or facts, two genuine, one fictitious. He will challenge our panel of skeptics to sniff out the fake – and you can play along. Theme: 1066 Item 1: After the Norman Conquest in 1066, French became the official language of England, and remained so until 1362. Item 2: The decisive technology of the Battle of Hastings was the stirrup, used effectively by the Norman cavalry, but not yet in use by their Anglo Saxon counterparts. Item 3: Halley’s Comet appeared in the skies in 1066 and was thought to be a significant omen by both sides, and is even depicted in the famed Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Normal Conquest. Segment #6. Skeptical Quote of the Week "We are all flawed and creatures of our times. Is it fair to judge us by the unknown standards of the future?” ― Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark