Quality Alchemist (品質煉金術師): CUHK Popular Science Lecture "N myths about soybeans" and New Book Signing

Prof. Lam Hon-Ming issued a new book named “one bean one world” (一豆一世界) and arranged a popular science lecture entitled “N Myths about Soybeans” and new book signing meeting (「有關大豆的N個迷思」科普講座暨新書簽名會) on 21^st Jun 2023. I attended this event and took a photo in front of theater.

Firstly, Prof. Lam discussed the nutrient of Soybean and different types of bean had different amount of nutrient in terms of protein, fat, flavonoid (黃酮素), starch and glycemic index (GI) (血糖生成指数).

Then Prof. Lam further discussed some myths about soybean. For instance, do Isoflavones (大豆黃酮素) as Estrogen (雌激素) caused cancer like breast, ovarian and uterine cancer? Does it affect male reproductive hormones? Do Isoflavones cause or prevent cancer? Many studies for above questions had no conclusion yet. Because both positive and negative research results were found.

And then Prof. Lam mentioned the relationship between soybean and environment. He said ancient China knew planting bean compensated soil nutrient with other plants. Then England four-field crop rotation (四田輪作) as agricultural revolution that supported the later industry revolution. Some arguments about planting soybean that cause Amazon rainforest reduction. It is a very complicated economic problem.

After that Prof. Lam introduced the transgene soybean that belongs to genetically modified crops. Has it directly dangerous to human health? Based on EU research, there is no scientific evidence associating GMOs with higher risks for the environment or for food and feed safety than conventional plants and organisms.

Finally, Prof. Lam briefed the history of China soybean. Soybean also related to Confucius filial piety that Shu Shui Chenghuan (菽水承歡). 「子路曰：『傷哉！貧也。生無以為養，死無以為禮也。』孔子曰：『啜菽飲水盡其歡，斯之謂孝。』」. The history of China soybean included it roles in the 1^st and 2^nd World War.

In Hong Kong, Vitasoy milk aimed to be pool people milk to enhance nutrient for Hong Kong people in 1940.

And then Prof. Lam introduced Chinese scientists for soybean. The first scientist is Mr. Li Yu Ying who studied in France and established ToFu factory (豆腐廠).

Chinese scientists who firstly studied soybean in China.

Then Prof. Lam introduced his partners and teams for China soybean study.

Lastly, he reviewed his soybean journey named “Bean Trek” from his nature paper related soybean genome diversity in 2010 to novel salt tolerance gene in wild soybean in 2014. Then he practiced from paper to land so as to increase farmer income, and from China to the world, as well as, from earth to space.