The not-so-good news: Omicron could bring what STAT News calls “the deadliest phase of the pandemic yet.”
The better news: vaccines continue to provide protection against severe illness and death, especially when boosted, as we reported last week. Meanwhile, BIO members continue to innovate. The FDA just authorized two COVID-19 pills (from Pfizer and Merck) to help keep infected patients out of hospitals, while Novavax says early data shows their vaccine could protect against the variant.
But will 2022 be the year of the anti-vax legislation?We took an exclusive look at what’s been happening in the state legislatures and what to expect.
We’re masking up—but what are disposable masks doing to the environment? Biotech’s solving this problem, too, as manufacturers are developing biodegradable masks made from plastic alternatives like corn starch and sugarcane, reports Bloomberg. (Read more about the plastic problem and biotech-driven solutions.)
Another biotech solution to our climate-related problems: gene editing, which made major headlines this year. Here’s Innovature’s look at the top five gene-editing advancements in 2021.
Speaking of genes...Meet June Lindsey, the woman who discovered adenine and guanine, key parts of DNA. But her contributions have been almost forgotten, says Chemistry World.
How do we harness these biotech innovations and others? BIO’s Dr. Michelle discussed with Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass—listen here.
Need more listening for your long vacation walks? Listen to the I am BIO Podcast at www.bio.org/podcast or via Apple, Google, or Spotify.
Catch up on all the news you might have missed over the holiday season at www.bio.org/goodday.
Good Day BIO is taking a publishing break from December 22-January 2. We plan to resume normal publication on Monday, January 3, 2022. We hope you enjoy a restful and safe holiday and happy new year!
