X-Message-Number: 15801
Date: Mon, 05 Mar 2001 13:03:15 +0000
From: "Joseph Kehoe" <>
Subject: [off topic] snippets

Could be a breakthrough for medical research (with many applications)


http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,42093,00.html?tw=wn20010301


Groups against embryonic stem cell research like to tout alternative 
technologies that don't destroy

embryos, and the most recent discovery by the sheep-cloning researchers is more 
tinder for their fire.


Scientists at PPL Therapeutics turned skin cells from a cow into beating heart 
cells.

Switching the identity of cells is the Holy Grail of stem cell researchers who 
want to give people

with disorders like Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries or diabetes new 
cells to replace
those that are damaged.


from nanodot.org
http://www.iht.com/articles/12147.html
for everyone worried about Ludittes ;-)


 In an International Herald Tribune item we learn more about what happened at 
 WEF:

"Mr. Joy discussed his thesis at a remarkable seminar during the recent World 
Economic Forum in Davos.

He urged scientists to renounce research that could lead to what he considers 'a
clear danger of extinction'

...At least, he said, there ought to be a democratic opportunity for ordinary 
people to vote on whether they want

this kind of research to continue. That is obviously impractical. We voters 
don't know enough about the subjects,

 and at the rate things are changing we will never have a chance to learn in 
 time to make a sensible decision."

p.s. was away for the past

Joseph.
----------------------------------------------
Joseph Kehoe, MSc
Raven Internet Technologies Ltd.
ph: +353 503 52450
www.raven.ie

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