December 5, 2005
Wesley J. Smith catalogs media “bias by omission” in cloning coverage in the last week of November 2005. MUCH OF THE CURRENT DEBATE over what is generally known as therapeutic cloning–that is, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cloning conducted for … Read More
November 30, 2005
In Missouri, a lawsuit has been filed to block a stem cell research initiative from appearing on a 2006 ballot. The lawsuit alleges the title of the proposed constitutional amendment is “unfair and deceptive” by claiming to “ban human cloning … Read More
November 30, 2005
A west coast medical student hosts this week’s Grand Rounds, giving it a thanksgiving theme.
November 28, 2005
If you haven’t yet voted in this month’s poll (on the top right of our homepage), please do so soon. We will be changing the question later this week.
November 24, 2005
South Korean stem cell researcher Hwang Woo-suk has resigned over the way in which human eggs were obtained for his work. It appears that he was unaware that women were being paid for their eggs and that some of the … Read More
November 23, 2005
Richard M. Doerflinger — Deputy Director, Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops — testified on November 15 before a Virginia legislative stem cell research subcommittee regarding the Catholic Church’s perspective on stem cell research. A copy of … Read More
November 22, 2005
This week’s host is codeblog, which is dedicated to telling medical stories. The Scoop, as this week’s Grand Rounds is titled, has a number of interesting posts. They include: — I have seen people die. by Head Nurse — You … Read More
November 21, 2005
The Washington Post’s Rick Weiss covers some of the broader implications of the recent scandal over human egg donation in stem cell research. “The evolving situation in South Korea has renewed a long-unresolved debate in this country over the ethics … Read More
November 18, 2005
The Human Future has an incisive critique of an AP story on lawsuits over California’s Proposition 71. But Paul Elias wins no awards for excellent reporting in my book. He continues to parade out the same tired arguments, ad hominems … Read More
November 17, 2005
I was out of the office on Tuesday so I missed grand rounds. My wife had tubes put in her ears—not a pleasant experience (no general anesthesia for adults, only local). She is feeling some better, but we are still … Read More
November 16, 2005
Michael Fumento says maybe we are headed toward a bird flu pandemic, maybe we are not. What we can say with confidence is that there is never such a thing as helpful hysteria. And the line between informing the public … Read More
November 16, 2005
Snuppy, the world’s first cloned dog, has been chosen Time’s Most Amazing Invention of 2005 (you can read the full story after watching a short advertisement). Although many scientists are excited by Hwang’s work, some policymakers and researchers are understandably … Read More
November 14, 2005
A leading University of Pittsburgh researcher on embryonic stem cells said yesterday that he will disengage from a recently launched collaboration with a team of world-renowned South Korean scientists because he is convinced that the lead Korean researcher had engaged … Read More
November 14, 2005
Heart attack survivors whose hearts were infused with stem cells from their own bone marrow showed nearly twice the improvement in the organ’s pumping ability as patients given a placebo, according to a new study [more]
November 14, 2005
The November issue of Wired has a short article on an alternative (or better a supplement) to human subject testing of pharmaceuticals, “Biotech Crash Test Dummies”. Machines, it seems, are helpful at the very earliest stages of testing, revealing “toxicity, … Read More
November 10, 2005
Zachary Meisel , an assistant professor of emergency medicine and former director of a suburban ambulance service, weighs in at Slate.com on emergency medicine and medical errors. In 1999, the Institute of Medicine published its report To Err Is Human, … Read More
November 9, 2005
Grand Rounds is hosted this week by MSSP Nexus Blog, which exists “to support and publicize the vital work of the medical staff services profession.” Our hostess reveals her obsession with a certain space drama from the 1960s by the … Read More
November 8, 2005
This week’s Cases column in The New York Times recounts a surgeon’s experience with a patient who refused all blood transfusions (even storing her own) based on her religious convictions. If she bled during the operation, would I, could I, … Read More
November 7, 2005
Wesley Smith has a biotechnology overview in the San Francisco Chronicle. Smith addresses personhood theory, human-animal chimeras, reproductive rights, genetic engineering, cloning, and more. Look out America: The trajectory of science is coming into conflict with venerable human values. Which … Read More
November 3, 2005
A growing number of Australian employers and insurers are reportedly discriminating against people whose genes make them susceptible to certain diseases. In the most complete survey yet of possible genetic discrimination, approximately one in 12 people who underwent genetic testing … Read More
November 2, 2005
Almost exactly a year after California voters approved $3 billion in public funds for stem cell research, it is still unclear who will own the rights and revenue from any research findings — and whether taxpayers will get a return … Read More
November 2, 2005
KidneyNotes hosts this week’s wrap up of “the easiest way to stay up to date with the best writing in medical blogs.” Among the interesting posts — What is Web 2.0? — A Case of Mistaken DNA — Several posts … Read More
November 2, 2005
Osman Ratib, professor and chief of nuclear medicine at the University Hospital of Geneva, has co-created a computer software program called Osirix. It enables medical professionals to view medical images on their iPods, saving them and the hospitals they work … Read More
November 1, 2005
To mark the opening of International Congress of Nanotechnology 2005, The San Francisco Chronicle has an article on the various issues raised by nanotechnology. A new discipline, Nanoethics, is emerging. According to Patrick Lin, a philosopher from Santa Barbara, Nanoethics … Read More
November 1, 2005
The Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) has released a statement regarding National Hospice Month November is National Hospice Month, and HFA encourages everyone to join us in honoring and celebrating this unique system of medical care, caregiving and support. End-of-life … Read More
