Topic: Laboratory Standards

2 chapters across the catalog

Post Orange
Episode 1289 13:59 - 16:18

1289: Post Orange

PCR Cycle Thresholds and DNA Contamination Risks

The segment explores the technical limitations of PCR testing, specifically the use of 45 cycles which many experts consider too high for accuracy. Reference is made to a vaccine court case, Snyder v. HHS, which notes that results above 35 cycles are cause for concern due to potential DNA contamination. The "CSI effect" is discussed as a phenomenon where the public overestimates the infallibility of DNA evidence, ignoring risks of secondary transfer and lab errors.

Waterboarding For Everyone!
Episode 164 30:08 - 33:16

164: Waterboarding For Everyone!

Terahertz Radiation, DNA Damage, and ANSI Standards

Research from Los Alamos National Laboratory suggests that terahertz radiation used in airport scanners may cause damage to human DNA. The hosts highlight the lack of long-term health studies on millimeter-wave technology and the difficulty in accessing ANSI safety standards. They note that existing safety guidelines often focus on the operators of the machinery rather than the passengers being scanned.