November 13, 2006
Australia: Eye experts showcase new treatments for glaucoma
The world’s leading experts on glaucoma have unveiled their vision for treatments that might actually restore sight to the blind. (ABC Sydney)
Monthly Archives: November 2006
November 13, 2006
Op-Ed: Mortal Combat
So hold on to your hats. A new kind of issue has arrived. It’s moral, it’s economic and it’s life and death. Biotechnology is here to stay, even if humanity, as we know it, isn’t. (Washington Post)
November 13, 2006
UK: Op-Ed: Junk medicine: therapeutic cloning
Science seemed to blur into science fiction this week with the news that my colleagues in Newcastle and I were hoping to get approval for a half-cow, half-human embryo. This prompted images of hybrid animals and shock-horror headlines. (Times Online)
November 13, 2006
Op-Ed: The egg and sperm race
Recent media reports describe the case of Alexandra Saunders, a 25 year old woman who has been advertising her eggs for sale on the internet in the hopes of paying off her credit card debts . The tone of these … Read More
November 12, 2006
Should Suicide by Self Starvation be Prevented?
I received a very nice letter from a reader that I thought I would share with y’all to see what you think: She wrote in part: I am curious to know what your stance on self-starvation is, since someone recently … Read More
November 12, 2006
Media Confusion About Proposed Baby Euthanasia in the UK
The Sunday Times has a story about the Church of England supposedly endorsing infant euthanasia in the wake of the proposal to permit infanticide of severely disabled babies. As you can imagine, that caught my eye! But upon reading the … Read More
November 11, 2006
Investor’s Business Daily Gets It
This editorial from Investor’s Business Daily is right on the money. Tremeondous progress is being made in adult/umbilical cord blood stem cells (which is why it gets more private funding), all but ignored by the media in their obsession to … Read More
November 11, 2006
Will Saletan Nails it Again
The inestimable Will Saletan writes in Slate about the late election and biotechnology. One need not agree with everything he asserts to know that the following is not only brilliantly written, but it is unquestionably true: Meanwhile, the technology grows … Read More
November 11, 2006
Human Adult Stem Cells Help Mice With Type 2 Diabetes
Yes, once more we find that adult stem cells have great therapeutic potential, this time with Type 2 diabetes. But, we must not let such stories distract us from the orders laid down by our great science lords: Must…give…embryonic…researchers…blank…funding…check. Must…give…embryonic…researchers…blank…funding…check. … Read More
November 11, 2006
This is How Baby Killing Begins
Now, The Economist has editorialized that it is “brave” for UK doctors to want to open the door to infanticide for disabled babies. Why kill disabled babies, according to the magazine’s editorial writers? Take the case of Charlotte Wyatt, born … Read More
November 10, 2006
“Biopolitical Times:” A Blog Worth Visiting
For those yearning for or worried about the emerging Brave New World, the Center for Genetics and Society, a left-leaning think tank that grapples with the ethical issues involving biotechnology, has a new blog. Check it out.
November 10, 2006
Belgian Euthanasia Cases: Going Up!
Belgium fits the typical pattern: Once euthanasia is legalized, the law tells the society it is not only legal, but right, and “use” increases. There are now 37 reported cases each month. And of course, all cases are not reported. … Read More
November 10, 2006
Be a Subscriber to Wesley’s “Brave New Bioethics” Podcast
My podcast, Brave New Bioethics, launches next week. I will link them here as they are released. But if you would like to subscribe and receive them via cyberspace as they come out, please do so by hitting this link … Read More
November 10, 2006
The Bioethics Podcast Episode 031
Episode 031 of The Bioethics Podcast features a press release from The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity on the passage of Amendment 2 in Missouri: “Show Me State Duped by Deceptive Amendment 2.” Click here to listen Click here … Read More
November 10, 2006
John Derbyshire Resorts to Straw Man Arguments Against Human Exceptionalism
John Derbyshire has responded in The Corner to my First Things blog entry chastizing him for rejecting human exceptionalism along with his faith. He has every right to do so, of course. But he doesn’t have the right to mischaracterize … Read More
November 10, 2006
Politicized Science Undermining Adult Stem Cell Research?
This is the second story I have seen in the last two weeks along these lines. Apparently, the political-scientists’ intentional blurring of “stem cell research” with “embryonic stem cell research,” is chilling the way forward in areas that are not … Read More
November 10, 2006
Amendment 2 Would Permit Later-Stage Embryo Farming
I received an e-mail from a reader, gently chastising me for assuming that the amendment would not permit reproductive cloning. Her actual fear is that A. 2 would permit fetal farming, as the New Jersey law does. As we shall … Read More
November 10, 2006
UK: Neonatal medicine – the moral maze
At 23 weeks, only one in 10 survive, with many going on to live with severe disabilities, raising questions over whether doctors should intervene in the first place. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has set up a group of experts … Read More
November 10, 2006
Sydney couple ‘pays $200,000 for baby’
A Sydney couple has paid $200,000 to a Californian baby factory for a surrogate child. The Eastern Suburbs woman turned to Los Angeles egg donation and surrogacy agency Miracles Inc when she couldn’t have a second child, The Daily Telegraph … Read More
November 10, 2006
Report: Few In Belgium Seek Euthanasia
A review by a Belgian newspaper finds that the partial legalization of euthanasia has not created a tidal wave of assisted suicides. (The Post Chronicle)
November 10, 2006
For Docs Stumped for a Diagnosis, Google May Be the Cure
According to a new study in the Nov. 11 British Medical Journal, a quick Google search could help doctors diagnose difficult cases. (HealthDay News)
November 10, 2006
Australia: Stem cells: the new frontier
Of all the advances in medical science only organ transplantation and the discovery of penicillin come close. (The Age)
November 9, 2006
The Wisdom of the Coming Womb Transplant
Doctors are preparing to implant a uterus into a woman in the hope that she can have children. But is this ethical and wise? Usually, organs are transplanted to save lives, which is worth the risk of dying in surgery … Read More
November 9, 2006
Repeal Amendment 2!
Is it possible that voters in Missouri will be given the opportunity to repeal Amendment 2? Perhaps so. Opponents of human cloning, now a Missouri state constitutional right, are apparently contemplating another vote to seek to repeal Amendment 2. I … Read More
November 9, 2006
Terri Schiavo’s Brother Strikes Back
The Tampa Tribune continues to lash out at the family of Terri Schiavo, accusing the Schindlers in this editorial of engaging in “vitriol” and acting in a “caustic” manner for having had the temerity to try and save her life. … Read More
