Wesley J. Smith

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 think this is a legitimate approach. Amendment 2 . . . . Continue Reading »

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. In this letter to the editor, Bobby Schindler, . . . . Continue Reading »

The Washington Post reporter, Robert Weiss, tries mightily to turn this story, about cells from infant mice being implanted into other mice and partially restoring sight, as an embryonic stem cell-boosting report. He even quotes the discredited Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell Technology, who lied so . . . . Continue Reading »

This story on Fox News, about the discussions at a stem cell conference is interesting—and typically, mostly inaccurate. First, the Japanese scientist who reverted skin cells to embryonic stem cells—a perfectly ethical procedure—also reported that they cause tumors in mice, just as . . . . Continue Reading »

The MO election is over, the cloners have won, and yet the in-the-tank Missouri media continues its boosterism and shilling. This giddy little story, from the St. Louis Post Dispatch, byline Rachel Melcer, is pure hype. It’s Boom Time, folks! Why thanks to Amendment 2, private companies are . . . . Continue Reading »

As promised, my podcast—which will be called Brave New Bioethics—will soon be available here, and at the Discovery Institute Website. I have recorded the first episode and will post it when it has been fully engineered.And here’s a coming attraction: If all goes as expected, I will . . . . Continue Reading »

Spending $30 million and still barely eking out a victory that was founded in pure deception; if the Amendment 2 forces thought opponents would just go away, they were mistaken. The political struggle continues to maintain ethics and morality in . . . . Continue Reading »

I wish I had been able to attend this lecture at Princeton, presented by Leon Kass. I only have read the brief story about the talk in the Princtonian, which I linked above, but even that brief synopsis reveals the classic Kass wisdom. He warns against “turning medicine into messiah” and . . . . Continue Reading »

Derek Humphry is the co-founder with his late former wife Ann Wickett, of the Hemlock Society. Humphry is a suicide ideologue, author of the how-to-commit-suicide guide Final Exit, who is utterly indifferent that his book has been found next to the bodies of teenage suicide victims.But Humphry is . . . . Continue Reading »

The election last night was not primarily about the issues dealt with here at Secondhand Smoke. But there will be an impact. Only time will tell what they are, but here are a few of my initial thoughts.1. Human Cloning, the status quo will hold: The U.S. Senate will still not be able to pass a . . . . Continue Reading »