Today is a day marked by profound contrasts for me: my eldest daughter is getting married, while my father lies in the final stages...

Seed oils have found themselves at the center of a nutritional storm. From political figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to countless wellness influencers, there’s a rising tide of criticism against common cooking oils such as canola, soybean, and sunflower oil. Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign even hawks merchandise stamped with slogans like “Make Frying Oil Tallow Again”, echoing the nostalgic days of beef fat sizzling in cast-iron pans. But is this backlash backed by science—or are we oversimplifying a complex dietary issue? What Are Seed Oils, Really? Often grouped under the misleading label of “vegetable oils,” seed oils are extracted from the seeds of various plants. These include what some call the “hateful eight”:Canola, corn, soybean, cottonseed,...

In a world facing mounting challenges—from climate crises to social unrest—there remain powerful reminders of resilience and unity that encourage us to look forward with hope. Recent inspiring developments, spanning from seed preservation deep in the Arctic to the melodies of majestic humpback whales, underscore the enduring spirit of life and creativity that connects us all. Seeds of Survival: The Global Vault That Protects Our Food Future This week, over 14,000 precious seed samples were deposited into the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a “doomsday” repository nestled in the frozen permafrost of Norway’s Arctic archipelago. This vault safeguards plant genetic diversity from threats like climate change, war, and natural disasters, ensuring humanity’s agricultural legacy can survive even the...