Archive for the 'News' Category
As the media buzz over the Bush-meets-the-pope event, I can’t help thinking that Jefferson must be turning in his grave. The pope, the bishop of Rome, who condemns abortion, stem-cel research, and the use of condoms - but refuses to meet representatives of the people molested as children by his delegates, was given a 21-gun salute courtesy of the United States Government. This kowtowing of the White House is a direct violation of the Establishment Clause.
But I’m European, what do I know. As a European, I am disgusted that the executive and representative of the mightiest western nation has chosen to validate, and promote, this man, and his church. Disgusted, but not surprised.
Cui bono?
From Times online:
Promoting extreme thinness will become a criminal offense punishable by a jail sentence under a government-backed law that was tabled yesterday in France to combat anorexia nervosa.
See also:
- Reuters: France to crack down on “pro-anorexia” Web sites
- The Associated Press: Key Points of French Anorexia Bill
- The Associated Press: French bill takes aim at those who glamorize the ultra-thin
I am lost for words, so let me borrow some:
Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
These wise words are often, mistakenly, attributed to Benjamin Franklin (see wikiquote.)
John A. Wheeler has died.
Every now and then I read the news, and an interesting story catches my eye. Here’s an interesting one:
Scientists at the company, Stemagen, which is based in San Diego, said Thursday that they were the first to use human adult cells to create cloned embryos that advanced to the stage known as a blastocyst, from which embryonic stem cells typically are extracted.
There must be something to it, because the Vatican was quick to condemn it:
“This ranks among the most morally illicit acts, ethically speaking,” said Monsignor Elio Sgreccia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Vatican department that helps oversee the Church’s position on bioethics issues.
The story got me thinking about GM - not just about blastocysts and stem cell research, but about GM in general.
And I had an idea.
There are many animals that see in the dark. If we could somehow extract this “night-seeing” property of animals and add it to our genome, then we could significantly reduce global warming! Think about it. If we can see in the dark, then we can turn the lights off!
Mature Human Embryos Created From Adult Skin Cells
Cloning Said to Yield Human Embryos
Vatican condemns cloned human embryo research