James Thomson discovered human embryonic stem cells. In an interview, he makes several candid comments about the ongoing debate. One of the most important is set forth below. Dishonest cloning advocates are now claiming that therapeutic cloning does not create a human embryo or a human life, and . . . . Continue Reading »
In the UK a pharmaceutical company’s stock broker had his car firebombed. So, he quit being the broker. This is the continuing pattern here and abroad. Stop businesses from humanely and properly using animals by intimidating, threatening, and attacking businesses and their personnel who have . . . . Continue Reading »
Much of the discussion about embryonic stem cell research and human cloning centers around when human life begins—as if that is a matter of opinion. I did some basic research and found that indeed, human life begins, biologically, at the completion of fertilization. That is simple, basic . . . . Continue Reading »
This bit of drivel from former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo published in yesterday’s New York Times about the Bush embryonic stem cell research funding policy needs responding to. I’ll do my best as soon as I dig out from the vacation . . . . Continue Reading »
My vacation was considerably soured by the release of the Schiavo autopsy results. Not the report itself: There wasn’t much in it that surprised. It was the disgusting spin on the story by some who sought to use the report to further demagogue the story for political and partisan ends. But . . . . Continue Reading »
Okay, the vacation hasn’t quite started yet. This article by the splendid Michael Fumento describes why adult stem cells are so under-reported. He makes many good points. Definitely worth the read.Now, I am on . . . . Continue Reading »
Secondhand Smoke will be on vacation until the week of June 19 for some badly needed R & R. Thank you for your interest in this Web . . . . Continue Reading »
This is rich: Assembypersons Patty Berg and Lloyd Levine, desperately trying to save their misbegotten assisted suicide bill, have “gutted” a bipartisan bill (AB 651)that passed the Assembly to help poor people on Medi-CAL (Medicaid), and replaced it with their otherwise . . . . Continue Reading »
As promised, here is my analysis of Gonzales v. Raich. I have read the entire decision and dissents. It seems to me that unless the court decides to be wildly inconsistent, or awards the win to Oregon based on a technical flaw in the way that Attorney General John Ashcroft sought to preclude the use . . . . Continue Reading »
I have always believed strongly that the Ninth Circuit District and Court of Appeals were wrong in preventing the federal government from declaring that assisted suicide is not a legitimate medical use of federally controlled substances (e.g., narcotics), even in the face of the Oregon law . . . . Continue Reading »