Author

Matthew Ponsford

Matthew Ponsford is a journalist who writes about cities, science, and design, and has contributed to The Guardian, Thomson Reuters, CNN International, Financial Times Weekend, BBC, and Wired UK.

Autism and Private Equity: A Cautionary Tale

What does the bankruptcy of CARD, the largest autism treatment company in the U.S., have to teach us about the role of private equity in health care?

By Matthew Ponsford and Ruairí Casey

Does Applied Behavior Analysis Really Help People with Autism?

The leading U.S. therapy for autism is no panacea and has shown mixed results. Critics say it’s time to look for alternatives—and consult people with autism.

By Matthew Ponsford and Ruairí Casey

Move Over Darwin! Here Come the Facilitation Effects

Survival in extreme environments hinges on collaboration—not competition.

By Matthew Ponsford

The Real Danger of a Biological Cold War with China

Can we thwart Beijing’s drive for U.S. secrets without stifling science or harming American innovation?

By Matthew Ponsford

The Cosmic Grapevine

Blasting grapevines into space could help the wine industry survive climate change.

By Matthew Ponsford

A Short History of Atomic Gardening

Hunger, profits, and Atoms For Peace have driven attempts to alter crops with radiation, chemicals, and genetic manipulation.

By Matthew Ponsford

Is Your DNA Data Safe in Blackstone’s Hands?

The Wall Street giant’s big bet on Ancestry.com drives home the financial realities facing the consumer genomic revolution.

By Matthew Ponsford