Philosophy & Ethics

Post-Docs As Saboteurs

We've had any number of discussions about the changing face of academic research given the fact that we keep being told America doesn't do enough science education but there aren't enough jobs in research to go around. With success in an eve ...

Article - Hank Campbell - Oct 1 2010 - 3:58pm

The Strange Public Disconnect Between IVF And Embryonic Stem Cells

In the debate over human embryonic stem cell research, protesters have ethical issues with experimenting on human embryos, while proponents point to the research’s huge potential to save lives. How come no one questions why we create extra cells to use or ...

Article - Jenny Morber - Oct 6 2010 - 4:48pm

Its the attitude that changes a system and system change makes all the difference in human life

In one airline I asked for a cup of tea (second time) during an 8 hr flight.   The steward asked “ were you not served before? “  I felt it was a mistake to ask a second time so I sheepishly changed my seat and went to another seat, as the flight had almos ...

Blog Post - Ashwani Kumar - Oct 11 2010 - 12:20pm

Personal Genetic Profiling Services- Watch For Dubious Claims

A few months ago, an undercover investigation by the GAO found patients were getting blatantly ridiculous advice from personal genetic profiling services.   One representative claimed they could repair DNA damage, one said their supplements could cure all ...

Article - News Staff - Oct 13 2010 - 12:30pm

Global peace

Mans history of development is just 5000 to 10000 years old. I am not expert of history or English language. However I am attempting to present some of the impressions and you can correct me if you feel there is some mistake in my language and spelling.  M ...

Blog Post - Ashwani Kumar - Oct 16 2010 - 8:14pm

Drug Company Marketing And Physician Prescription Rates- No Effect, Says Study

A systematic review  says there is a link between information provided to physicians by pharmaceutical companies and higher prescription frequency but what does that mean?   Are companies with new drugs marketing them more or are they better than previous ...

Article - News Staff - Oct 19 2010 - 5:43pm

Scientology ad still there

The Scientology ad is still there (see below, right), a few days after I complained about it. I understand that it is quite hard to get rid of a single ad in a bundle, and I understand that it would cost money to give google back the whole bundle with the ...

Blog Post - Tommaso Dorigo - Nov 1 2010 - 9:20am

War on Science: White House editing damages its reputation for relying on science

Blogging really only became a communications whirlwind when President George W. Bush was in the White House so, for the most part, science blogger outrage focused on his actions as President, and those of the Republican Congress. Criticisms of Bush were so ...

Blog Post - Hank Campbell - Nov 11 2010 - 6:44pm

Why Falsifiability Is Insufficient For Scientific Reasoning

Lee Smolin claims that AP is bad and favors a  Cosmological Natural Selection  view instead (on grounds of falsifiability).  I believe this is a false dichotomy and that they are really one and the same.  Here’s why: Normally natural selection  requires s ...

Article - Rafe Furst - Nov 15 2010 - 7:13pm

No Mea Culpas From Phil Jones Over "ClimateGate"

Phil Jones, head of the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, had a life-changing event occur almost one year ago.   On November 19th, 2009, a thousand e-mail messages and documents, many his correspondence, were released to the public. ...

Article - Hank Campbell - Nov 15 2010 - 5:01pm