Wesley J. Smith

I have written several posts about the need to develop uniform standards of declaring death by neurological criteria—popularly known as “brain death.” Now, there’s some more information out about that problem. From the story:Guidelines for determining brain death differ . . . . Continue Reading »

The most robust opponents of assisted suicide—and the most effective in my view—are disability rights advocates. They understand well that legalizing assisted suicide is a gun aimed at their hearts. An opinion column by one Ian Mulgrew of the Vancouver Sun underscores the threat. He . . . . Continue Reading »

In a stunning development, doctors responding to a questionnaire have urged that promiscuous people be denied certain treatments based on their unhealthy lifestyles. From the story: Doctors are calling for NHS treatment to be withheld from patients who lead irresponsible and unhealthy sexual lives. . . . . Continue Reading »

Focus on the Family’s on-line magazine did an interview with me for a feature on “pro life heroes.” I am certainly no hero. All I do is write and speak, emitting hot air and particulate matter as I go, hence the name of this blog. And as for being pro life, my thesis is human . . . . Continue Reading »

This could be great news aways down the road for diabetics. From the story: An international team of researchers has finally managed to locate stem cells in the pancreas—in mice, at least.If the findings are confirmed in humans, they could pave the way for dramatic new therapies for diabetes, . . . . Continue Reading »

Dusty’s inner carnivore is getting out of hand.Rat’s book is as good as a published scientific study.Lio finds a proper human use for an animal . . . . Continue Reading »

Anyone who believes that Bush funding embryonic stem cell research with leftover IVF embryos would satisfy “the scientists” just aren’t paying attention to the constant whining by Brave New Britain’s scientists who have what amounts to a virtual blank check. Regulators there . . . . Continue Reading »

The animal rights movement claims to be peaceable—despite the terrorists in its midst. But how peaceable can it be when so many advocates use vividly violent imagery in their advocacy. From an editorial, Animal Rights & Ethical Veganism,” by one Gary Yourofsky, published in the . . . . Continue Reading »

The wonderful adult stem cell advance that has liberated some organ transplant patients from anti-rejection drugs—which I posted about here—is yet another illustration of the ongoing need to use animals in medical research. From the story:[Dr. David] Sachs first tried this approach . . . . Continue Reading »

A wonderful breakthrough in transplant medicine is also another testimony to the apparent healing power of adult stem cells. Bone marrow transplanted from the organ donor to the organ recipient at the time of the transplant apparently can eventually result in the recipient being liberated from . . . . Continue Reading »