Cloning / Playing God
A doctor in the Middle East has implanted cloned human embryos in four women. None of them became pregnant, but Dr. Panayiotis Zavos says he’s not finished experimenting yet.
This is insane.
There are huge health risks for clones, not to mention it’s pretty much completely unethic (in my view). We humans are always trying to play God and think we can create or change the way things are. Even if we can and do make changes, it’s rarely improvements.
News flash: Life is designed and reproduced the way it is for good reasons. God knows what he’s doing, while we’re just down here fooling around in the dark. We’ve managed to mess up a lot already and I’m scared if this is the way of the future.
Zavos also claimed to have created hybrid cells – mixing human embryos with animal cells. Most religious and political leaders have condemned his work. Other medical professionals say he hasn’t allowed his work to be scrutinized or proven, and that he’s giving people false hope. He seems undeterred so far.
Another thing: I don’t understand the women who volunteer to be part of this experiment. Why? For the fame or prestige for birthing the first cloned embryo? They would have known there was an extremely tiny chance of success, so why would they put their emotions and body through that? If they are that desperate to have a baby, they should adopt an orphan or something.
And seriously, if this ever works. The classic “You’re unique; you’re special” line just won’t work anymore. It’s shocking enough I’d imagine to be told you’re adopted. Being told you’re a clone of someone else (like a deceased relative or something) would be downright traumatizing. Can you imagine the therapy bills? How does someone become a self-confident person with a solid identity after that news?
There’s a group of scientists in South Korea who have cloned dogs and recently created the first puppy with deliberately altered genetics: they glow in the dark. I think it’s disgusting. I can’t imagine what the human race will look like in a century if they start experimenting with our genetics like that.
I think stem cell research for the purpose of human medical healing makes sense. God created us to explore, discover and find ways to harness the amazing science that he invented. I’m still shaky on embryonic stem cell use, but I’m for the concept as a whole. It’s the cloning part I have serious problems with. God created us to use what he’s given us for the benefit of mankind, not so we can pretend we’re him.
Playoff pool: round two
After leading my office playoff pool for most of the first round, I’ve fallen to third place. I’ve got eight players left, which is the pool average. I was bummed to see Calgary go down, and it was disappointing to watch the Habs get swept. I guess I’ll be cheering for the remaining Canadian team now – go Canucks!
Here’s what I got left, heading into round two:
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh – nine points
Michael Ryder, Boston – seven points
Daniel Sedin, Vancouver – five points
Dennis Wideman, Boston – four points
Niklas Kronwell, Detroit – four points
Brooks Laich, Washington – three points
Pavol Demitra, Vancouver – two points
Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh – one point
I’ve got a total of 46 points so far, 10 points back from the pool leader and nine points ahead of the last place position. The Caps vs. Penguins series is the only one where I’m guarunteed to lose a player … but boy, Ovechkin vs. Crosby will be fun to watch.
Petition against passing policy
An Ottawa teacher started a petition against the provincial Ministry of Education to lessen the pressure for passing grades. She feels the policy of passing students with second, third and fourth chances or do-overs is taking away the ability of educators to actually teach worthwhile things, like time management.
There’s over 1,000 names on the petition already. To sign it, go here.
Passing grades
Teachers are being pressured to pass their students, whether or not they’re ready to move ahead. Provincial education minister Kathleen Wynne said her number one priority is getting kids successfully out into the work force, though she doesn’t call that “pressuring”. I guess it’s the definition of “successful” that is changing.
The push to send teenagers into the next grade without expecting them to actually learn everything properly is terrible. Sure, we want people entering the real world and ready to take jobs the baby boomers are vacating as they retire in droves. But I don’t want doctors, construction workers, scientists or chefs serving in the work force after just barely getting through school. They could have failed tests, neglected to hand in assignments or skipped class yet still graduated. Even in college and university it seems the trend is all about second chances, deadlines pushed back, and only slight consequences for failed or unfinished work. Some say they are expecting more of students by offering them chances to relearn certain things, but that method makes more work for teachers with less motivation for kids.
The Citizen held a roundtable discussion on the issue. Check it out here; the quote below is from the article.
But what is student success? Is getting a high school diploma the way we are measuring success? I would think success is much bigger than that. One would hope that graduating students that have life skills that will help them succeed regardless of what area they go into.
We just want the kids to graduate and then complain when they expect huge salaries and window offices without doing the work. We get frustrated and blame them for having unreasonable expectations and horrible work ethics without realizing it’s what they’ve been subtly taught since grade school. How is this good education?
As the homeschooling mom I interviewed this morning said: “That’s not how the real world works.”
This piece I’m currently doing on homeschooling (watch for it in the first couple weeks of May) shows how much sense education at home makes when compared to the current public school system.
Sure, there are some fabulous teachers out there. My roommate is becoming one of them and I know she’s going to do a fantastic job. I’ve met some great principals and staff, and seen some well-adjusted, mature and extremely intelligent students. I sincerely hope they are the rule and not the exception.
But when the province as a whole is heading down this road, under the Ministry of Education’s direction, it is a serious issue. We could have the best teachers in the world but when their hands are tied by politicians, it’s not their fault the students don’t deserve a diploma. Why is education not a higher priority? Not graduation numbers, but actual learning. Schools should never run out of money. Teachers should be treated like gold and given more authority to both dish out discipline and rewards as well as adjust methods to various learning styles.
I’d rather have the next generation be late entering the workforce and actually be good at what they do than have them graduate high school and post secondary with no mastered skills, work ethic or motivation for life-long learning.
Earth Day
I’m all for cleaning up litter and planting trees. We should be taking care of our environment.
But designating one day to suddenly change habits and bring awareness is a little naive. We’re not going to save the world with just one day of improvement. My coworker blogged this morning with a very similar argument, and here’s my rant against Earth Hour from last year (my views haven’t changed … at all).
I wrote a story a few months ago about a 11-year-old girl who picks up garbage every single day on her way home from school, recycles everything she possible can and basically nags everyone she knows to the same.
That’s the kind of habits we should all have, not just on April 22.
I’ll be honest: I’m far from an environmentalist, though I never litter and I recycle. But I don’t believe global warming is all it’s hyped up to be. I’m not planning to install a wind turbine in my backyard anytime soon.
It’s like my perspective on animals. I love ‘em. Well, most of them. I’d like to see them all healthy and protected.
I’ve seen some gorgeous places in my travels and I sincerely hope the earth’s beauty and resources are presevered for generations to come.
But much more crucial is our activism in helping people. (Here’s where I could get really riled up.)
Poverty, disease, drought, war … these are issues that capture my attention a thousand times more than litter or stray cats. I’d rather spend money to send poor kids to school or provide medical supplies for refugee camps than put up solar panels or save sick pets.
There’s my take. What’s yours?
Oh, and happy Earth Day.
OCNA
On Friday, six Ottawa Region Media Group employees (including moi) headed to Toronto for the annual Better Newspapers Awards by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association.
Our company was nominated for nine awards, and came away with three first place finishes. It was neat to see all the entries and the variety of writing, layout and photos.
Here’s a list of our accomplishments:
- Editorial writing (Kourier-Standard) – first place
- Rural affairs writing (Kourier-Standard) – first place
- Special supplement (Kemptville Advance) – first place
- Best feature photo (Arnprior Chronicle-Guide) – third place
- Best business/finance story (Renfrew Mecury) – second place
- Best editorial (Kourier-Standard) – second place
- Health and wellness (Kourier-Standard) – third place
- Best news story (Arnprior Chronicle-Guide) - third place
- Community service (Smith Falls This Week) – third place
Two retired ORMG managers, Fred Runge and Derek Walters, were honoured with Silver Quill awards for their years of serving the community newspaper industry.
Intolerant of tolerance
Canada needs a backbone.
We’re known around the world as the polite, peacemaking country. That’s great, I’m all for maintaining such a fabulous reputation.
But it’s gone too far.
Now, our country seems to be quickly losing any moral ground. Polygamy is on trial in British Columbia, with some saying it’s no worse or different than gay marriages and should therefore be legalized. I’m afraid for what that could mean. Family no longer has a foundation or purpose when the parameters are so skewed. Though a new survey shows today’s teenagers are making family a higher priority, it’s not clear why: because they grew up with the most divorces in the country’s history and see the need for stability in the home? because they believe in what the institution is all about and are basing their decision on traditional Christian values?
Maybe they’re too nervous to explain their motivations. Or maybe they simply aren’t sure. This culture of tolerance has paved the way for a complete lack of firm beliefs. Everyone is afraid to stand up for anything, for fear of offending someone else.
Absolute truth still exists, though it’s hard to find in Canada lately. Even if people are seeking it out, they aren’t talking about it. The only thing people seem to be truly standing up for are non-controversial issues, which of course are important. Poverty, malaria, drought – these problems are desperate for our attention. But so are abortion, traditional marriage, stem-cell research, etc. There are so many moral issues that only seem to have a forum in the U.S. and elsewhere.
There was a recent article in the Economist about how tough it is to address corruption in this nation. Trials take years, sentencing is often weak, and the accused - such as Larry O’Brien - continue their daily lives in the meantime. Former prime minister Brian Mulroney and theatre’s Garth Drabinsky are other examples:
Mr O’Brien has refused to step down as Ottawa’s mayor. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation plans to air a new series of a talent show in which Mr Drabinsky is one of the judges. Mr Mulroney continues to sit on several corporate boards.
Obviously, the innocent until proven guilty rule stands. But why are we so eager to gloss over mistakes and pretend nothing is wrong? Campaign promises have become empty vows with few expectations for actual results. I’d like to see citizens holding their leaders and politicians to higher standards, keeping them accountable for their words and actions.
It’s ultimately O’Brien’s decision to step down or not. But if there had been loud and clear city-wide outrage and even real discussion across Ontario over the charges he’s facing, it might have been a different scenario. How is this okay – or even tolerable - for the highest job in the city, the nation’s capital, no less? O’Brien should have left his office the minute the charges were laid. We should expect that and more of our community, municipal, provincial and federal leaders. Pedestals are unnecessary, but if these people are asking for our trust to make important decisions, it’s not unreasonable to raise the bar and expect them to aim for it.
Yes, it’s great to be known as the polite, the peacekeepers, the hospitable. All great qualities for Canada to have. But not when those traits become more important than standing up for what we think is right. Not when we would rather get along with others than have our own beliefs. Not when tolerance becomes a higher priority than absolute truth.
Indiana Dunes
As promised, here are some more photos from my road trip last weekend. On Sunday, Chrissy, Amy and I went to the Indiana Dunes to enjoy the sunshine. We are mad photographers.
They’re gorgeous. (But taken. Sorry, guys.)
I LOVE this shot. :)
Then … we went to the state line between Illinois and Indiana, practically right outside Amy’s house.
We’re in two places at once. :)
Ah, the trusty (but dirty) Jetta. We call him Shane.
I haven’t had a chance to edit the video we shot, but I’ll get to it eventually.
The end.
Playoff pool
After numerous proddings, I decided to join my office’s hockey playoff pool this year.
I had no idea what I was doing.
There are seven of us. I am the only female and by far the least knowledgeable about hockey or pools. As in, the guys can actually pronounce all the players’ names and pretty much have all the team’s rosters down pat.
Me, not so much.
They were pretty accommodating though. Only once did I get a reaction that implied I was making a terrible decision. For the rest … well, I stole a few picks my coworkers were hoping for, so I guess that’s a good sign.
And hey, the Senators are on the golf course instead of the ice and I needed an excuse to be part of the playoff madness.
So, here they are. Don’t laugh … at least, not so I can hear you.
Michael Ryder – Boston Bruins
Dennis Wideman – Boston Bruins
Brooks Laich – Washington Capitals
Evgeni Malkin – Pittsburgh Penguins
Jordan Staal – Pittsburgh Penguins
Scott Hartnell – Philadelphia Flyers
Joe Pavelski – San Jose Sharks
Rob Blake – San Jose Sharks
Niklas Kronwall – Detroit Red Wings
Daniel Sedin – Vancouver Canuks
Pavol Demitra – Vancouver Canuks
Jerome Iginla – Calgary Flames
There you have it. As you can see, I’m lacking in strategy. I’ll update my place in the pool with each round of the playoffs. I’d love to see Calgary or Montreal in the final and a Canadian team take home the Stanley Cup this year.
Let me know what you think of my picks and leave your own in the comments below.
Cheryl