The Full Show: Would humans need to alter their DNA to settle in space?, Are the Paris Olympics are a cautionary tale for Canada? & Canada condemning the Venezuela election

Mornings with Simi

Seg 1: Would humans need to alter their DNA to settle in space?

There are severe environmental challenges, such as radiation and food sourcing, that complicate humans exploring, and one day settling, in space. Now, some thinkers advocate for genome editing to help humans tolerate these conditions.

Guest: Sam McKee, Associate Tutor and PhD Candidate in the Philosophy of Science at Manchester Metropolitan University

Seg 2: Scott's Thoughts: How much of your lotto winnings would you share?

Guest: Scott Shantz, Contributor for Mornings with Simi

Seg 3: View from Victoria: Following another MLA crossing in Provincial politics, John Rustad is holding a news conference today, and he won’t welcome crossings where his party has already nominated candidates.

Guest: Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun Columnist

Seg 4: When does technology constitute cheating?

At what point does pushing the limit actually cross the line?

Guest: Mike Hahn, Professor of Human Physiology at University of Oregon

Seg 5: Why the Paris Olympics are a cautionary tale for Canada

Governments frequently argue that hosting the Olympics boosts the local food, beverage, hospitality, and tourism industries both during and after the event. They claim the increased global exposure from hosting will benefit these industries for years. But security concerns, climate events, protests, and unforeseen issues add to the costs. All levels of government must ensure the event runs smoothly, bearing the costs of any overruns or unexpected expenses. The situation in Canada mirrors this. Toronto’s estimated costs for hosting the World Cup have skyrocketed from $30-$45 million to $380 million. Vancouver’s costs have similarly increased from $230 million to $580 million, with further increases likely as the event approaches.

Guest: Moshe Lander, Sports Economist and Senior Lecturer at Concordia University

Seg 6: Why does BC target hitmen and not those who order the hits?

Francois Gauthier, after killing Harpreet Dhaliwal, was found with an arsenal of incriminating items in his Airbnb. His guilty plea to second-degree murder revealed no details about who hired him or the motive. Similar cases in Vancouver show a pattern where hitmen are convicted without identifying the masterminds behind the hits, which critics say allows high-level organized criminals to operate with impunity.

Guest: Kim Bolan, Crime Reporter for the Vancouver Sun

Seg 7: Why is Canada condemning the Venezuela election?

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has remained in power following a highly contested election on July 28. Despite polls suggesting an opposition victory, the government-controlled electoral council declared Maduro the winner with 51.2% of the vote, while opposition candidate Edmundo González received 44.2%. The international community has expressed skepticism about the results, with several countries, including Canada, the US, Chile, and Peru questioning the legitimacy of the election.

Guest: Nicolas Forsans, Professor of Management and Co-director of the Centre for Latin American & Caribbean Studies at the University of Essex

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