Philosophy & Ethics

People are different, both physically and mentally, but genetically everyone is very similar, scientists have said for decades. But with population research becoming more and more common, the University of Alberta's Tim Caulfield is concerned that genetic research could awaken racist attitudes.Just last year Nobel Prize winning geneticist James Watson claimed there are genes responsible for creating differences in human intelligence. These comments made international headlines, Watson was vilified and he later apologized. But studying racial groups is important. For example, if a researcher…

Asthma may be overdiagnosed in countries like Canada, suggests a longitudinal study of 540 obese and non-obese adults (http://www.cmaj.ca/press/pg1121.pdf)that found approximately one third of Canadians with physician-diagnosed asthma do not have asthma when objectively tested. Asthma rates have increased in Canada and the US by 75% between 1980 and 1994, and studies suggest a possible link between obesity and asthma. In North America, obese adults are twice as likely to be diagnosed with asthma by a physician as non-obese adults. However, the "study found that 30% of adults recruited from…

Should we worry about a future with no humans? This question and many more will be answered in a public lecture at Keele University looking at new advances in science and technology – and their impact on humanity.  Bioethicist Professor John Harris will give the second of Keele University’s 2008/2009 series of public lectures, “Synthetic Sunshine and Synthetic Biology – The Future of Humanity”, on Monday, November 17, at 6.30pm in the University’s Westminster Theatre.  He will discuss the radical scientific approaches which could enhance our species – making us live longer and…

The HPV vaccine, sold as Gardasil in the U.S., is intended to prevent four strains of the human papillomavirus, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. The vaccine also prevents against cervical cancer. While the vaccine represents a significant public health advance, a new article in the Journal of Law, Medicine&Ethics suggests that it is premature for states to currently mandate the HPV vaccine as a condition for school attendance. Gail Javitt, J.D., M.P.H., Deena Berkowitz, M.D., M.P.H., and Lawrence O. Gostin, J.D., LL.D., review the scientific evidence supporting…

This is the fourth essay from Brian Taylor's lowbrow explanation of the concepts facing the modern enlightened.  So far, using plain language, typical story-like reflections and humor he has explained not only that we have all been lied to for thousands of years and not only have we believed the lie but are only now discovering the lie is actually working against us.     This latest installment hopes to prove that the edicts of conservatism are counter-productive in natural systems.     It is recommended that you read the Assignee's Prerogative blog…

This is the third installment explaining in plain language the promise and pitfalls of the new modern Enlightenment. In this essay the practical exemplification of the power of paradigm begins to illustrate the absurdity of counter-productive man. It is recommended that you read this blog in chronological order. Once you understand paradigms and what their existence means you are in possession of a primer to deeper understanding. You can begin rustling around in your own ideas. Kicking over the stones of opinion to expose why you think as such. You can use the knowledge of your associations…

This essay is the second in the series concerning Assignee's Prerogative, the new Enlightenment's promise and shortcomings in an easy to understand empirical precis. This essay hopes to illumine the masses to concepts, types, powers and dangers of Paradigm. It is recommended that this blog be read chronologically.   Putting Paradigm in it’s Place.     A paradigm is defined as a model or pattern. For our purposes consider it a way of thinking about any given subject. A paradigm is a way to understand something through associative groups of ideas. So to change your mind…

“The larger a society or confederacy, the greater the amalgamation of collusive factors - which is typical of every large organization - the more aggravated the moral and spiritual degeneration of the individual.”                                -Carl Jung “The absurd depends as much on man as it does on the world. For the moment it is all that links them together. It binds them one to the other as only hatred can weld two creatures together.” “The absurd is born of this…

(Repost from one year ago on the older Genomicron -- this got a niceresponse from readers and family, so I am posting it once again.) In Canada, as in many countries around the world, November 11 is a day of remembrance for the sacrifices made during wartime. In Canada, this refers in particular to World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945), but also to smaller engagements in which Canadians were (or are) involved, such as Korea and Afghanistan. The poppy has become a symbol of remembrance, and can be found pinned to people's lapels more or less from the beginning of November each…

Muslim reformers and critics of Islam around Europe are being silenced by Islamic extremists, according to a new report by the Centre for Social Cohesion. The report warns that unless European governments take urgent action to protect these individuals and their right to freedom of speech, Islamic extremists will be empowered and the evolution of a peaceful, tolerant 'European Islam' will never take place. Victims of Intimidation: Freedom of Speech within Europe's Muslim Communities by Douglas Murray and Johan Pieter Verwey tells the stories of nearly 30 Europeans of Muslim background - some…