27 January 2008
In the News Today !
Scientists Take New Step Toward Man-Made Life...the emerging field called synthetic biology !
Slide Show
Synthetic biology refers to both:
*the design and fabrication of biological components and systems that do not already exist in the natural world
*the re-design and fabrication of existing biological systems.
Watch the CNN video
Read the NYTimes Article
Here too, the Reuters Article
One more Article from the UK
Links to Synthetic Biology (1) (2)
1. Is the concept of "human created life" a good thing?Is it moral? Is it ethical?
2. Take a stand, yes or no, and write a minimum of 5 sentences to state and support your viewpoint.
3. Find a link that supports the viewpoint that is the opposite of your viewpoint, and tell what it states that is different from your opinion.
Take the poll anonymous below
...
Postings due by 1 February @ midnight
13 January 2008
Read the fine print...
The scalpel has failed. The IV tubing stands abandoned on the side of the room. Friends and nurses visit less often. The doctors say the limits of medical knowledge have been reached and there is nothing left for you to do but go home and put your affairs in order. This is a crushing moment. It's even more frightening than the day the doctors announced that you had a serious and life-threatening disease, such as AIDS, cancer or Alzheimer's disease. For many people, however, the limitations of medical knowledge do not define the limits of human hope. As long as life lingers, many patients will fight on, refusing to give up even when biology is against them. So, they set out on a search for treatment options.
These options are experimental drugs. These drugs are a ray of hope to many patients worldwide, but read the fine print on the bottle, where it says "side-effects".
Let's say that you suddenly develop an incurable disease. Currently, there are no approved methods of treatment for this disease. But, there is an experimental drug on the market called Drug X. This drug been proven to eradicate the disease in your body. However, the drug comes with its own set of risks. While medicated, you could experience organ malfunction, bleeding, vomiting, breathing problems, or cause genetic mutations in offspring. Basically, you risk your health to cure yourself. This is the only drug on the market and no other treatments are possible.Now answer these questions:
1. How do you feel about taking a drug that could cause side effects like the ones listed above?
2. Would you take Drug X if no other options are available?
3. Would you use experimental drugs on a child?
4. Link to a website about a drug that has been shown to cause serious complications or side effects.
5. Take the poll below.
Posting due by midnight 18 January 2008
06 January 2008
Evolution ? God? Both?
January 4, 2008
The National Academy of Sciences has released a book explaining the differences between science and religion, and asserting that acceptance of evolution does not require abandoning belief in God.
The National Academy of Sciences is the nation’s most eminent scientific organization. It has produced a book on the evidence supporting the theory of evolution and arguing against the introduction of creationism or other religious alternatives in public school science classes.
This volume is unusual, people who worked on it say, because it is intended specifically for the lay public and because it devotes much of its space to explaining the differences between science and religion, and asserting that acceptance of evolution does not require abandoning belief in God. Check out the links below:
- The webcast briefing
- About the National Academy of Sciences
- Reuters report
- Article in the Baltimore Sun
- Article in NYTimes
- Read the book online free
Posting Requirements
- In a minimum of 5 complete sentences react to / reflect on the information that the NAS has just published about teaching evolution in public schools.
- The NAS believes that God and evolution can coexist. Do you agree with that statement?
- Post a link that supports your statement.
- Take the poll below.
Take the anonymous poll below
Postings are due 11 January 2008 by midnight
