Harvard University and Children’s Hospital Boston are collaborating together to begin experiments in human cloning (somatic cell nuclear transfer). Their purpose is to try and obtain patient specific embryonic stem cells—a feat claimed to have been done by Woo-suk Hwang in South Korea, . . . . Continue Reading »
A research team from Columbia University has identified criteria for determining whether an embryo has died. I was aware this work was being pursued. When I was presenting at a stem cell symposium in Rome last year, Drs. Donald Landry and Howard Zucker discussed this issue, and I was impressed with . . . . Continue Reading »
As promised, here is Will Saletan’s slant on the Stanford transhumanist conference. My article is written too, although I don’t yet know when it will appear. This is my favorite paragraph from Saletan’s recounting, which pretty well nails the scene:“Remember those kids who . . . . Continue Reading »
The man who led the team that cloned Dolly the sheep—he didn’t do the actual cloning—has come out in favor of reproductive cloning for therapeutic purposes. That is, he would like to use cloning and genetic engineering to eradicate serious inherited disease. Wilmut has always been . . . . Continue Reading »
It appears that wealthy people who need organ transplants are able to be placed on the waiting list for several organ programs at once. Such gaming undermines a system that is supposed to be based strictly on triage principles. (Hat tip Secondhand Smoke reader “Deep . . . . Continue Reading »
This commentary, by Donald J. Boudreaux, chairman of the Department of Economics at George Mason University, suggests setting up a market in human organs for transplantation. To promote his proposal, Boudreaux applies a false reductionism to the reasons for opposing organ markets, writing: . . . . Continue Reading »
Ronald Cranford, the neurologist and bioethicist who made something of a career testifying on behalf of dehydrating the cognitively disabled, has died. He had kidney cancer, and I assume that this was the cause of his death.I disagreed vehemently with Dr. Cranford. I saw him testify in the Robert . . . . Continue Reading »
I have a book review of A Jealous God in the current edition of First Things. AJG askes whether science is at war with religion. Actually, I report, the author makes a compelling case that the ideology of scientism is at war with orthodox religion because the latter supports and defends the . . . . Continue Reading »
The Arizona Republic has a story that puts the price of eggs for use in fertility treatments as high as $24,000. Imagine the potential price if cloning becomes ubiquitous. Indeed, it would drive the trade in eggs to the destitute countries and the establishment of a bio colonialism that would . . . . Continue Reading »
The use of cellular treatments for human ailments is growing. In this treatment, muscle tissue from the arm was used as an effective treatment for incontinence. And, since the tissues are biocompatable with the patient—being the patient’s own cells—no problems with rejection that . . . . Continue Reading »
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