Creating Space for Science Conversations with Myth-Busting Podcast

Science communication is most powerful when it is understood and felt as relevant in everyday life. However, for many audiences, particularly in agricultural biotechnology, scientific information often remains highly technical, complicated, and difficult to relate to.

In response to these challenges, ISAAA Inc. partnered with students from the College of Development Communication (CDC) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to launch a podcast-based engagement initiative, titled BioCheck: Myth-Busting Podcast About Biotechnology, aimed at bringing science closer to people through conversation, storytelling, and myth-busting.

ISAAA has long produced science-based materials on agricultural biotechnology. The podcast format allows for conversational explanations, storytelling, and the integration of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about biotechnology. Through this initiative, ISAAA Inc. aims to help audiences:

• Distinguish common myths from scientific facts about agricultural biotechnology;
• Demonstrate increased openness and trust toward biotechnology concepts; and
• Participate by submitting questions, sharing experiences, or engaging in discussions through interactive features.

The podcast series consists of eight episodes uploaded to ISAAA’s YouTube channel and will be released weekly across ISAAA’s social media platforms. Each episode is anchored on FAQs, common misconceptions, and audience concerns gathered through engagement activities. The topics per episode are as follows:

1. Natural ba ang biotechnology?
2. Para kanino ba ang biotech?
3. Nakakatulong ba ang GM crops sa mga magsasaka?
4. Bakit may pag-aalinlangan sa biotech?
5. Nagbibigay ba ng sakit ang GMOs?
6. Nakakasira ba ng kalikasan ang GMOs?
7. Delikado ba ang field trials ng GM crops?
8. Kaya bang palitan ng organic farming ang biotech?

This initiative signals a shift in how science is communicated. By integrating audience questions into content creation, ISAAA and UPLB CDC students are co-creating knowledge spaces where science moves beyond explanation and into shared understanding and dialogue.

This podcast series is developed by DEVC 154 (Communicating Science for Development) students, namely Carl Bryan Bajao, Johnvic Berbon, John Angelo Comia, Gweneth Dizon, and Ma. Beatrice Sophia Villan, under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Reianne M. Quilloy.

Watch the podcast episodes on the YouTube Channel of ISAAA. Follow ISAAA on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn for more information.

Archive

Older Post