Policy Matters

On March 3 – so-called “Super Tuesday” – millions of Americans in 14 states went to the polls to vote in primaries.  Overwhelming media focus was on the run for the Democratic nomination for President, with roughly one third of all delegates up for grabs.   What are the key takeaways from Super Tuesday, nationally and here in Texas?    On the national level, how has Super Tuesday altered the race for the Democratic nomination?   And what were the most noteworthy results here in Texas? This episodes guest is Dr. Mark Jones.    He is the fellow in political science at the Baker Institute, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies and a professor in the Department of Political Science at Rice University.    Dr. Jones is one of the country’s leading experts on Texas politics. Note:  This podcast was recorded before the March 10 primaries in Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi,  Missouri, North Dakota, and Washington.

Vaping has hit the headlines    Dozens of deaths have been attributed to its use.  What is vaping?     How dangerous is it?   Does it pose a special health hazard to teenagers?   Is vaping useful for people seeking to quit smoking?   And what public policy approach should we take towards it? This episode has two guests.   Dr. Bill Martin is the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy and Director of the Baker Institute’s Drug Policy Program.  Dr. Katharine Neill Harris is the Alfred C. Glassell, III, Fellow in Drug Policy here at the institute.    They have recently published a paper, “Vaping: Clearing the Air.”  It is available at the Baker Institute website.

Since its outbreak late last year in Wuhan, China, the Coronavirus has exploded in scale and scope.   Almost every day brings news of further infections and deaths.   While the impact has been greatest in China, the appearance of cases elsewhere – including the United States -- has raised the specter of a deadly global pandemic.   How is China responding to Coronavirus?   How trustworthy is the information it is releasing?   What effect will the virus have on the Chinese economy?     Do we have any sense of how the Chinese people view their government’s efforts to combat the spread of Coronavirus? This episode’s guest is Dr. Steven Lewis, C.V. Starr Transnational China Fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

The increasing presence of plastic waste in oceans and other parts of our natural environment is a major concern for nations across the world. To combat plastic waste, China has announced a plan to ban single-use plastics across the country over the next five years. This ban would seek to counteract China’s standing as the largest producer—and mismanager—of plastic waste in the world. But will this ban ultimately be effective? And, will it lead to unintended consequences that end up perpetuating further harm to the environment? This episode’s guest is Rachel Meidl (LP.D., CHMM), the fellow in energy and environment at the institute’s Center for Energy Studies.

In November 2018, the world was rocked by news that Chinese scientist He Jiankui had genetically manipulated human embryos and implanted them in women for gestation. He used CRISPR, a gene-modifying tool, to mutate a gene that could provide protection form HIV/AIDS.   Last December, he was sentenced to three years in prison for his actions.   But the story is hardly over.   Now that the technology exists, how should we approach gene editing in humans?     What are the ethical and practical issues surrounding its use?   Are we entering an era of “designer babies”? This episode’s guest is Dr. Kirstin R.W. Matthews, Fellow in Science and Technology Policy at the Baker Institute.   She is co-author of the paper, “Are we ready to genetically modify a human embryo? Or is it too late to ask?”, which appeared in “Accountability in Research.”

The Mexican-U.S. relationship is in transition. The elections of Donald Trump in 2016 and Andres Manuel López Obrador, or AMLO, in 2018 have altered the bilateral dynamic in dramatic ways. What is the current state of the U.S.-Mexican relationship in areas such as trade, immigration, and drug related violence? Will we see significant changes should a Democrat be elected in November? This episodes guest is Dr. Tony Payan, the Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexican Studies and Director of the Center for the United States and Mexico at the Baker Institute.

Vaccines against such afflictions as measles, flu and cervical cancer have a proven track record of success.   Yet we as a nation appear to be doing less than we can to ensure that our population is properly vaccinated.   Indeed, there has been pushback against a number of vaccines by activists known as “anti-vaxxers.”   Do their claims have any merit?   And what can we do to ensure that all Americans receive the vaccinations necessary to protect their health? This episode’s guest is Dr. Peter J. Hotez.  He is the Baker Institute fellow in disease and poverty. He is dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and professor of pediatrics and molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, where he is also chief of the Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine and the Texas Children’s Hospital Endowed Chair of Tropical Pediatrics.  Dr. Hotez is a nationally-acknowledged expert on vaccination.  

We are undergoing a historic energy transition.   This includes a surge in shale production in the United States, growing reliance on natural gas, and a dramatic increase in the use of renewables.   What does security mean in this brave new world of energy?  And what framework should we use to assess national and global vulnerabilities?     This episode’s guest is Mark Finley.   He is the Fellow in Energy and Global Oil at Rice University's Baker Institute.  Mark has 35 years of experience working at the intersections of energy, economics and public policy.

In October 2017, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, or MBS, announced that he would “return Saudi Arabia to moderate Islam.” His policies since then have eased restrictions on gender segregation in public spaces, including allowing women to drive, yet these have also been accompanied by a crackdown on any type of dissent, including the imprisonment of countless intellectuals, activists, and clerics. What is one to make of these changes occurring within Saudi Arabia, and what implications do MBS’s moves have for our understanding of religious and political authority in the Kingdom? This episode’s guest is Dr. Annelle Sheline, a nonresident fellow with the Baker Institute’s Center for the Middle East and a research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.

The world’s energy sector is undergoing dramatic change.   Driven by concerns about climate change, we are seeing a shift from traditional fuels, such as coal, natural gas and petroleum, to energy sources like wind and solar. In the transportation sector, this is reflected in a rise in the use of electric vehicles.   But this shift itself creates increased demand for certain minerals.   How fast is this energy transition occurring?   Do we have a firm grip on the possible environmental and other costs associated with shifting to non-traditional energy sources? This episode’s guest is Dr. Michelle Michot Foss.   She is the fellow in energy and minerals at the Baker Institute’s Center for Energy Studies. Dr. Foss has nearly 40 years of experience in senior positions in energy and environmental research, consulting and investment banking.