A Biologist's Guide to Life

A Biologist's Guide to Life by Alex Washburne explores various aspects of biology, the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific process, and the intersection of science with public policy and ethics. It critically examines evidence, debates surrounding the pandemic's origin, the role of scientists in society, and the evolution and functionality of biological systems.

COVID-19 Origins and Response Scientific Ethics and Reform Evolution and Function of Biological Systems Public Policy and Health Scientific Communication and Censorship Personal Growth and Entrepreneurship

The hottest Substack posts of A Biologist's Guide to Life

And their main takeaways

Hillbilly Diplomacy

20 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Foreign Policy Diplomacy Political Rhetoric International relations Elections
  1. America's good reputation is at risk due to poor diplomatic behavior from leaders like Trump and Vance. Their aggressive treatment of visiting officials can harm relationships with allies.
  2. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a clear fact, and ignoring or misrepresenting it is seen as an ethical failure. Acknowledging this reality is crucial for proper diplomatic responses.
  3. Effective diplomacy requires understanding and managing delicate situations with care. Loud or aggressive behavior, especially in tense moments, can escalate conflicts and undermine U.S. interests.

PREEMPT-ive Pardon for Fauci

356 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Ethics Government Accountability Legal issues Public Health Pandemic response
  1. A preemptive pardon for Fauci raises serious questions about its legality and ethics. It's unusual to pardon someone before they are even charged with a crime.
  2. Concerns exist that Fauci's actions may have contributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigations have found troubling evidence regarding the research funded by his agency.
  3. The call for further investigation into Fauci's NIAID is essential for understanding the truth about the pandemic. Many believe that stopping these inquiries is like obstructing justice.

The Grace of Dr. Jay

52 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Epidemiology COVID-19 Health Policy
  1. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is important because he promotes open discussions in science, even when there are differing opinions. His approach helps to maintain trust in scientific research during tough times.
  2. During the pandemic, some scientists faced harsh criticisms and censorship for their views. It’s essential to remember that different ideas can help us all understand complex situations better.
  3. The future of health science needs leaders like Jay, who exemplify curiosity and kindness. These qualities can foster better communication and collaboration in tackling public health challenges.

Reverse Genetic Systems

58 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology Virology Genetics Statistics
  1. There are two main theories about the origin of SARS-CoV-2: one is that it came from animal trade, and the other is that it originated in a lab. Each theory has its own set of details that scientists are still investigating.
  2. Understanding the origins of the virus requires knowledge of both biology and complex statistical methods. These methods help researchers weigh the evidence carefully, which is crucial for arriving at the most likely explanation.
  3. The evidence increasingly suggests that the virus may have come from a lab, especially noting the features like the furin cleavage site that were put into a reverse genetic system. This raises important questions about how we study viruses and their potential risks.

Fight the Anti-Narrative with Pro-Science

42 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology Vaccines Public Health Research Methods Technology
  1. Using 'anti' labels in discussions can over-simplify and misrepresent people's true beliefs. It makes conversations harder and ignores important details.
  2. Questioning vaccines or other technologies doesn't mean being against them; it can be a way to improve them. Critics should be heard instead of labeled negatively.
  3. Curiosity and open-mindedness in science can lead to better understanding and advancements. Engaging with skepticism might help scientists and the public work together more effectively.
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Department of Scientific Efficiency

36 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🔬 Science Scientific research Mentorship Innovation
  1. Science often feels inefficient and frustrating for researchers, leading to disillusionment. Many wish for changes that can improve how scientific work gets done.
  2. Funding for science can be improved by connecting researchers with venture capital and industry, which can help new ideas grow. Scientists need more support and training to navigate these opportunities.
  3. The current grant and publication systems are riddled with issues, making it hard for scientists to succeed. Changing these systems could lead to more effective and fairer funding processes and help researchers publish their work without unnecessary hurdles.

The Pathogenic Academic Lobby

99 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🔬 Science Academic Research Virology Ethics Pandemic Preparedness
  1. The history of the COVID-19 pandemic traces back to controversial research on potentially pandemic pathogens conducted by influential scientists before the pandemic began.
  2. A group called Scientists For Science, formed by key researchers, lobbied for the continuation of risky research on enhancing potentially pandemic pathogens, prioritizing academic pursuits and funding over clear benefits or safety precautions.
  3. The public may not be aware of the ongoing conflicts of interest, power struggles, and lobbying efforts within the scientific community regarding high-risk research, highlighting the need for transparency, accountability, and ethical guidelines in handling dangerous pathogens.

The Path of Heterodoxy

87 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🔬 Science Research Academia Pandemic Immunity
  1. Being unconventional in the academic world can lead to resistance and pushback from those in power, but staying true to your discoveries and principles is important.
  2. Challenging orthodox beliefs and standing by your heterodox views may result in alienation and hostility, but it can also lead to personal growth and self-discovery.
  3. Navigating the path of heterodoxy requires courage, resilience, and a willingness to face criticism and rejection, but in the end, it can lead to finding a community of like-minded individuals and true allies.

eLife's Suppression of Science

51 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🔬 Science Peer Review Academic Publishing Research Ethics
  1. Peer review in the scientific community can be flawed, biased, and influenced by power dynamics, leading to the suppression of scientific findings.
  2. Scientific papers can face unfair rejection based on personal biases, conflicts of interest, and editorial decisions.
  3. The current scientific publishing system may hinder the open discussion and publication of research that challenges established beliefs or powerful stakeholders in the field.

The Fauci Paradox

63 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Research Pandemic response National Security Policy
  1. The Fermi Paradox suggests that the lack of contact with extraterrestrial life may be due to specific probabilities hindering civilizations' advancement.
  2. Nuclear weapons and diseases are identified as vulnerabilities to human civilization, posing potential threats to societal stability.
  3. The Fauci Paradox highlights the need for closer regulation and oversight in scientific research to prevent catastrophic risks that could endanger humanity.

How to Investigate SARS-CoV-2 Origins

91 implied HN points • 27 Sep 22
  1. The origin of SARS-CoV-2 is unknown, and the delay in knowing its origin postpones critical policies and research funding.
  2. There are two main hypotheses for the origin: spillover from animals to humans at a market, or as a result of research on bat coronaviruses in Wuhan.
  3. There are concerns about the behavior of researchers and funders connected to SARS-CoV-2 research, leading to questions about ethics and motives in investigating the origins.

Even Enzymes Evolve

24 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🔬 Science Evolution Enzymes Proteins Genomics
  1. Enzymes evolve through mutations in DNA that lead to changes in proteins.
  2. Proteins define traits, and understanding their evolution helps us comprehend life's diversity.
  3. Evolutionary biology provides a framework for understanding genetic changes in organisms, including the origin of antibiotic resistance.

Zoonotic Origin Evidence We Don't Have

17 HN points • 21 Nov 22
  1. The absence of key evidence can go against a hypothesis.
  2. Missing evidence like a geographic trail of infections and higher seropositivity in animal handlers goes against a zoonotic origin.
  3. The unshared coronavirus dataset from the Wuhan lab is suspicious and could reveal a lab origin of SARS-CoV-2.

Who am I?

20 implied HN points • 16 Mar 22
  1. The author values storytelling and uses it in their writing, including scientific content.
  2. The author's mother had a significant influence on their perspective on nature and life.
  3. The author's family background and personal experiences have shaped their view on humanity and the world.

The Science Not Shared

15 implied HN points • 18 Mar 22
  1. Informal social control silenced scientific evidence during COVID-19.
  2. Scientists faced hostility and public attacks for sharing views on COVID-19 that did not align with popular beliefs.
  3. The practice of informal censorship in science through attacks and public executions needs to be addressed to ensure a fair exchange of scientific ideas.

When you try to do good and fail

11 implied HN points • 30 Jul 22
  1. Trying to do good can involve making mistakes, and it's important to be self-critical and learn from those failures
  2. Acknowledging imperfection is essential for personal and professional growth
  3. Humility and curiosity are key for long-term success, especially in entrepreneurship

The CDC's Chevron Gamble

11 implied HN points • 01 Jun 22
  1. The CDC is taking a significant gamble with its public health policies, such as the Masks-on-Planes mandate.
  2. The outcome of the CDC's appeal on the definition of 'sanitation' could have far-reaching implications on agency powers and modern administrative law.
  3. The CDC's actions highlight the potential risks and limitations of executive agencies, raising questions about the balance of power and decision-making.

Be Concise... don't quote shark tank

8 implied HN points • 03 Sep 22
  1. Scientists are driven by curiosity and pursuit of unanswered questions
  2. The culture of scientists differs from that of investors and business people
  3. To communicate effectively with investors, learn to be concise and specific

Introducing Agora!

6 implied HN points • 02 Aug 22
  1. Selva aims to revolutionize science by redesigning information-sharing and funding to benefit scientists and improve scientific discourse.
  2. Selva plans to create a social medium for scientists free of trolls and bots, unlike Twitter and LinkedIn.
  3. Be selective when choosing business partners, as collaboration can impact the success and ethics of a project.

Pluralism in US Public Health Policy

6 implied HN points • 30 May 22
  1. American society is diverse, with different cultures, beliefs, and values, and public health policies should consider this diversity.
  2. Failure to apply cultural relativism in public health policy may lead to ethnocentric recommendations that underserve and undermine trust in certain groups.
  3. There was a contentious debate during COVID-19 between containment and mitigation strategies, highlighting the need for tolerance, pluralism, and cultural humility in the field of public health.

The Perils of Criminalizing Content

6 implied HN points • 15 Apr 22
  1. Online demonization can lead to tribalism and alienation.
  2. Criminalizing content may push individuals towards counter-normative trends and authoritarianism.
  3. Understanding and showing compassion for opposing views can help prevent social alienation and hostility.

Why decide abortion at the state level?

4 implied HN points • 26 Jun 22
  1. The Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs limits which rights are protected by the 9th amendment, violating the 14th amendment rights of minorities and failing to consider the diverse traditions of contemporary Americans.
  2. Shifting the regulation of abortion to the county level can reduce social tension by allowing communities to enact laws that better represent their beliefs and values.
  3. Regulating abortions at the county level may provide a more localized and uniform approach, enabling actual conversations and policy decisions that align with the beliefs of the community members.

COVID-19 mitigation is not Eugenics

4 implied HN points • 15 Apr 22
  1. COVID-19 mitigation policies were not eugenicist due to the lack of intentional gene pool alteration.
  2. Containment policies during the pandemic were viewed as incompetent and negligent.
  3. Managers should have prioritized reducing collateral harm while managing the COVID-19 crisis.

A Biologists' Guide to Natural Rights

2 implied HN points • 28 Jun 22
  1. The essential liberties of life include acquiring resources and reproducing, which are considered unalienable rights.
  2. Legal interpretations about deeply rooted traditions should be based on empirical evidence rather than religious beliefs.
  3. The right to abandon offspring under resource limitations is a natural, unalienable right that predates more established rights.

Coming soon

0 implied HN points • 16 Mar 22
  1. The post is about A Biologist's Guide to Life by Alex Washburne
  2. It will be available on alexwasburne.substack.com
  3. The newsletter discusses efforts to make sense of life