Life in the Atomic Age

Another breakthrough on stem cell research. These researchers found a way to reprogram adult stem cells to their embryonic state.

I think President Bush’s stand on stem cell research is misguided and wrong. Yes, you can argue that only federal funds are excluded from the embryonic stem cell arena - but the potential of this research is almost limitless. I remain unmoved by moral and ethical arguments that don’t deal with the real concerns of how the embryos are created and handled. I certainly don’t accept the religious implications of using embryonic stem cells in regenerative research. However, I also recognize that there are people who are concerned about these issues. Concerned enough to block any and all advances in the field, no matter what the potential benefits to mankind might be.

That’s why it’s incredibly fortuitous that we have scientists who still look at obstacles as challenges - challenges to be overcome as you progress logically from point A to point B. Scientists like these.

My current research is with adult canine bone marrow stem cells. I chose to work with adult stem cells purely because any therapies we developed for treating dogs with cancer would have no application to people if we used embryonic stem cells as our delivery vector. It was an interesting lab meeting - where we sat down and charted our research plan for the next 2 years based on the political climate in the US rather than on the course that we thought held the most promise. But I know that hundreds of other labs did exactly the same thing - and not just small veterinary molecular oncology labs like mine - but larger labs dependent on federal funds for their operating budgets. And that’s where the real danger of the embryonic stem cell research blockade lies - in the fact that it will prevent some very talented people from pursuing very promising avenues because they can’t chance losing (or not receiving) federal funding. But, at the end of the day, scientists are problem solvers. And this is just one more problem that is one step closer to being erased.

The Hall of Crapness?

Vectored via Jayne Doodles, whose taste in literature is exceedingly excellent (can you use the words exceedingly excellent concurrently in a sentence without being redundant?). The limited biography is interesting, describing an “interrupted academic”. Perhaps interesting to me in that, after successfully playing the tenure game, I will soon be voluntarily interrupting my academic pursuits as well.

In honor of this comment, in which a pro-ID visitor to Junkyard Blog argues that Einstein believed in God (he didn’t) and, subsequently, ID - I give you this:

So, how was this picture of Einstein created?

I try and convince my colleagues in academia that Bush is not a moron. And then he goes and says something like this.

People believe all kinds of crazy stuff - but that doesn’t mean it should be taught in schools. Evolution is “theory” only in that pieces of the picture remain incomplete - not because there is something else that explains how the species on our planet look today. But I can hardly wait to hear about what a moron “my man Bush” is from my fellow academic dwellers. Unfortunately, I don’t think I have any choice but to agree with that sentiment in this particular instance.

Hey, some people believe that photos of Elvis can cure their cancer - maybe I should see if I can get Elvis-ology added to the curriculum here at LSU. Because, well, you know, some people believe it.

UPDATE

Some, obviously, disagree - and see fault with the libertarian mindset, not the position of President Bush.

And more, this siding with my view of ID as ideologically driven drivel (IDD?)

Protein Wisdom looks for nuance.