>It’s all over the web (here and here, at the “news@nature.com” site,for instance), three separate labs have been able to reproduce embryonic stem cells by “reprogramming” adult cells from skin. Much of the commentary is like Art Caplan’s comments quoted in the first (Blog.bioethics.net) link above. Paraphrased, the bulk of the “mainstream remarks include, “It’s … Continue reading
Once again, ACT is hyping research that duplicates work already done using non-embryonic stem cell research. The only thing new is the possibility that they have come up with a way to make “Billions” of the plastic cells. Ok, maybe we learned something from Advanced Cell Technology’s Robert Lanza’s latest human embryonic stem cell report … Continue reading
The blogger, Nick Anthis, a graduate of Texas A&M and a Ph.D student and Rhodes scholar currently studying at Oxford, occasionally posts at his blog, Scientific Activist (“Reporting from the Crossroads of Science and Politics”). On his “About” page he warns us that “enemies of science” should “Beware!” As part of his campaign against his … Continue reading
I received a reply to my letter to the editors at Nature Neuroscience yesterday: 9th May 2007 Dear Dr. Nuckols, Thank you for your letter to the editor of 3rd May. Having had a chance to consider it, we do not feel that this subject would be appropriate for our letters section. We think that … Continue reading
I guess the first question should be, “Where is the scientific and ethical justification for demanding public funding of science without public restraints?” The next is, “When there is public disagreement, what is the ethical way to conduct the discussion about the disagreement?” I’m sure that the answer to the second is not “hit and … Continue reading
>Perhaps this article, written by an Associated Press writer, should be receive the Yellow Brick Award. (Should I put “copyrighted” here? No, there’s others, although most – like the award for finishing the obstacle course at Quantico – are awards for achieving the impossible, not for misdirection.) Someone is practicing distraction and projection by calling … Continue reading
>This guy deserves some sort of note/notoriety: From the “News” section of the online Worcestershire (Massachusetts) Telegram & Gazette: Apr 12, 2007 Stem-cell reversal Scrap Romney restrictions on legitimate research Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s effort to reverse restrictions on stem-cell research imposed by his predecessor is most welcome. The restrictions, adopted by the state Public … Continue reading
Opponents argue that the research is unethical, because deriving the stem cells destroys the blastocyst, an unimplanted human embryo at the sixth to eighth day of development. Michael Sandel, Ph.D. )philosopher)in the April 4, 2007 Boston Globe WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Stem cells will be at the top of the agenda for the U.S. Senate when … Continue reading
Ian Wilmut says that if he had “to bet money,” he’d bet on reprogramming adult – the patient’s own stem cells. Joining the cloning experts in the race are scientists who are looking for new ways to “reprogram” DNA, or make it young again without fusing it into an egg. They think it may be … Continue reading
>The New England Journal of Medicine has a free text and audio interview on the subject of women who donate/sell/give their oocytes or eggs for other women to become pregnant through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or for scientific research. “Perspective: The Egg Trade — Making Sense of the Market for Human Oocytes” by Debora Spar … Continue reading