Bioethics in the News — February 27, 2006
February 27, 2006
California Stem Cell Institute Trial Starts Today (via Los Angeles Times)
Three groups (People’s Advocate, National Tax Limitation Foundation, California Family Bioethics Council) filed two lawsuits, which have been combined into a single trial, asserting that the lack of direct state control over the Institute for Regenerative Science established by Proposition 71 is an unconstitutional use of public funds. The Attorney General and the Institute claim that Proposition 71 amended the state constitution to allow for this. The courts are going to attempt to sort it all out. Stay tuned.
The expression of an unpleasant or embarrassing notion by a more inoffensive substitute (via Yahoo! News)
John Leo writes an interesting opinion piece on the ways in which language is altered in order to mask what is really being said. He gives a variety of examples, some humorous, some confusing, some sad. Eventually, he zeros in on bioethics.
The language game requires players to insert a strong negative word for what your opponent wants (e.g., the death tax) and eliminate similar hot-button words used on your side. Just as “abortion” has virtually disappeared from the names and language of abortion-rights groups, the word “embryo” is fading from the vocabulary of those who favor “embryonic stem-cell research.” Since polls show that the public reacts negatively to the news that minute human embryos are created and destroyed in the research, the media now speak of “early stem cells.” The troubling word “cloning” is fading too; “therapeutic cloning” is replaced by its technical term, “somatic cell nuclear transfer.”
While the title of the column is “Evasive Language Results In Suboptimal Outcomes,” Leo does not give a clear explanation of how it is that euphemisms yield bad results. Perhaps he believes the relationship is obvious. We all want to understand and be understood, yet some are willing to sacrifice clear communication in the pursuit of unfettered science. Leo’s bioethics example is case in point.
Fascinating Neuroethics Item (via BBC )
Scientists at the University College London have discovered that brain activity prior to an event effects memories formed of the event. Researchers used EEG to monitor the brains of volunteers while somehow cueing them and then showing them items. Later the volunteers were tested on their memories of the items. The EEG revealed patterns to the activity in the brain just before items were shown and how well volunteers remembered the items. Research continues on the link between this pre-activity and long-term memory formation.
Quick Links and Other News Items of Interest
Stem-Cell Institute Trial to Begin Today (Los Angeles Times)
Evasive Language Results In Suboptimal Outcomes (Yahoo! News)
Scientists ‘Can Predict Memories’ (BBC)
Healing in the Lap of Luxury (HealthDay)
