Monthly Archives: August 2017

A Strike Against Cancer

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Bob F.

With a cancer diagnosis the typical treatment options are surgical removal, laser/radiation, or chemotherapy. This Wednesday (8/30/17) the FDA added a fourth weapon to the arsenal – somatic gene therapy. The therapy was developed to target acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Gene Therapy, Medication | Leave a comment

Shortcuts Can Be Dangerous

Posted on August 28, 2017 by Bob F.

In these busy times we often act not just in prudence but in desperation. In a mad rush to get things done we cut corners and take shortcuts. Shortcuts can be dangerous. I am a big fan of research that … Continue reading →

Posted in Bioethics, Down syndrome, Eugenics, IVF, Stem Cells | Leave a comment

Pregnancy the Old Fashion Way – With a Machine

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Bob F.

In 1969 it was a one-hit-wonder called: “In the Year 2525.” In its dystopian view of the future artificial technology will replace the usefulness of humans. As relates to procreation one verse goes: In the year 6565 You won’t need … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Bioethics, Pregnancy & Children | Leave a comment

What Factors Lead to Death?

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Bob F.

We often think biologically about such questions. Sometimes it is a breakdown within the human body; a heart that has given out or cancer that has overcome. Sometimes it is an external event that happens to the body which brings … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Assisted Suicide, Health, Suicide | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Iceland and Down Syndrome

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Bob F.

What do you do if you can’t find a solution? If you are Iceland, you terminate it. On August 14, 2017 CBS news did a sobering “On Assignment” segment about Iceland’s solution to Down syndrome. This was not a story … Continue reading →

Posted in Abortion, Down syndrome, Eugenics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Closer Look

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Bob F.

I weary of the harsh rhetoric about climate change and the environment. I have long felt that both sides of the issue make their case using healthy doses of exaggeration and hyperbole to incite fear and attract attention. That being … Continue reading →

Posted in Birth Control, Environment, Population | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Who Should Take Life?

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Bob F.

Daily I receive a report about efforts to legalize assisted suicide in the United States and around the world. As I think about how the American Medical Association will be taking up the issue soon it seemed ironic that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Assisted Suicide, Infanticide | Leave a comment

Working with Human DNA

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Bob F.

In the last week of July researchers announced that in the United States they had achieved success with “editing” human DNA by using CRISPR technology on a human embryo. For some of you this is “way out there” science. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Bioethics, Eugenics, Health, IVF, Stem Cells | Leave a comment

Dark Passing Cloud

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Bob F.

Charlie Gard has died but the story of this helpless infant will not be forgotten. I added some additional thoughts with a link to an excellent overview of why all of us should be alarmed at this case. You can … Continue reading →

Posted in Eugenics, Infanticide | Leave a comment