The creation of the world’s first self-replicating synthetic bacterial cell has been greeted with optimism and controversy. Scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute, a genome research organization, announced their accomplishment on May 20. The team was able to construct the 1.08 million base pair chromosome of a modified Mycoplasma mycoides cell using the digitized genome of M. mycoides and chemically synthesizing cassettes of DNA that were assembled and grown in yeast cells. The genome was then transplanted into Mycoplasma ... (Continue reading)
National Affairs correspondent Rory Leishman points out yet another shocking disregard for human life on the part of the Obama administration. (Continue reading)
The very real possibility of an immanent ethical stem cell breakthrough has many researchers in the US and Canada excited. (Continue reading)
The Interim editor Paul Tuns takes a look at Obama’s recent anti-life decisions regarding embryonic stem cell research. (Continue reading)
Donald DeMarco emphasizes the importance of distinguishing what is real and what is nonsense regarding the politicized issues of the day. (Continue reading)
Editor's Note: The Interim is publishing excerpts from Dignitatis Personae: On Certain Bioethical Questions, the Vatican's new instruction on bioethics. The instruction, released Dec. 12 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is considered the most significant document treating biomedical issues in over 20 years, updating Donum Vitae, addressing the scientific advances of the past two decades. The excerpts we are publishing relate to the issue of in-vitro fertilization and the status of frozen embryos, but Dignitatis Personae ... (Continue reading)
Does God still talk to man with signs and wonders? Or did He stop communicating with his children 2,000 years ago? Are miracles a thing of the past, or are they taking place as often and potently as each plea is voiced? It appears as though God is still in touch with his creatures in a profound way. He did say that He would never leave us or forsake us. Surely, this means ... (Continue reading)
A much-celebrated breakthrough that turns adult skin cells to embryonic-like stem cells is not the solution to the problem of destroying embryos for pluripotent stem cells. In November, Dr. Shinya Yamanaka and Dr. James Thomson published separate studies that were hailed as moral alternatives to embryonic stem cell research, both in the media and by some pro-lifers. Both studies involved introducing genes into adult stem cells through a lentivirus, which ... (Continue reading)
It has spent the last quarter-century providing valuable scientific insight into life issues in Canada and, as co-founder and co-president Dr. L.L. Barrie de Veber pledges, the Toronto-based de Veber Institute for Bioethics and Social Research, which bears his name, is only just beginning. “We closed down last year – we ran out of money. But now, we’re up and going ... (Continue reading)
The quotable Leon Kass Editor’s note: Leon R. Kass delivered this commencement address at St. John’s College, Annapolis, Md. on May 13. It is reprinted with permission. Dr. Kass is chairman of the President’s Council on Bioethics, a Hertog Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the author of ... (Continue reading)
Many doctors have been asked the question, “Doctor, is my baby normal?” The physician replying to the above question must remember that all medical diagnostic tests should be performed only in order to identify and, if possible, cure or ameliorate whatever condition the patient may be suffering from. He or she should also know that some currently used medical diagnostic tests are ... (Continue reading)
I have no problem with science as such. But I do, sometimes, have trouble with the scientists. Science has done wonderful things for us and for the world in general. Cars, radios, telephones, computers and airplanes are just a few of the tremendous benefits of science and the scientists who invented and developed them. I have no problems with ... (Continue reading)
For the past year, there has been an increased push by some in the healthcare system, the media and political circles to convince Canadians to sign their organ donor cards. For others, such information campaigns are not enough, so Ontario MPP Peter Kormos (NDP) went so far as to draft a private member’s ... (Continue reading)
Researchers at the Institute of Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University in Salem, N.C. have discovered a type of cell that floats freely in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women and has many of the traits of embryonic stem cells, suggesting a potentially ethical source of pluripotent cells – cells that scientists believe can grow into any other human cell and thus regenerate tissue such as ... (Continue reading)
When Margaret Smith discerned her calling to teach the Creighton system of natural family planning, she declared, “If, by becoming a practitioner, I prevent even one abortion, then I’ve done my job.” Adamantly pro-life, the former palliative care nurse and sometime missionary is now an integral part of the Marguerite Bourgeoys Family Centre ... (Continue reading)
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The creation of the world’s first self-replicating synthetic bacterial cell has been greeted with optimism ...
National Affairs correspondent Rory Leishman points out yet another shocking disregard for human life on ...
The very real possibility of an immanent ethical stem cell breakthrough has many researchers in ...
The Interim editor Paul Tuns takes a look at Obama’s recent anti-life decisions regarding embryonic ...
Donald DeMarco emphasizes the importance of distinguishing what is real and what is nonsense regarding ...
Editor's Note: The Interim is publishing excerpts from Dignitatis Personae: On Certain Bioethical Questions, the ...
Does God still talk to man with signs ...
A much-celebrated breakthrough that turns adult skin cells to embryonic-like ...
It has spent ...
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Many doctors have ...
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Researchers ...
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