Scientists believe they have made a breakthrough in IVF treatment by creating a human embryo with three separate parents.
The Newcastle University team believe the technique could help to eradicate a whole class of hereditary diseases, including some forms of epilepsy.
The embryos have been created using DNA from a man and two women in lab tests.
It could ensure women with genetic defects do not pass the diseases on to their children.
However, such research has brought about opposition due to the nature of the research and the fact that they are human embryos.
Josephine Quintavalle, of the pro-life group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said it was "risky, dangerous" and a step towards "designer babies"
"It is human beings they are experimenting with," she said.
"We should not be messing around with the building blocks of life."
You can read more here.
Some questions:
-Do you think the pros outweigh the cons?
-Would you be willing to accept such a treatment if you knew that your child could bypass genetic problems that could threaten the child's life?
-Do you think this is a step towards designer babies?
-Does the ends justify the means?
-So, how does one determine the mother?
-What if the donor mother decides she wants a relationship with the child later on, how ethically should that be handled?
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Sermons: Agents Of Change
Sermons can be great things. We can also make them hindrances and stumbling blocks. What do I mean you ask? If we simply listen, discuss and go about our merry way, we have done a diservice to scripture and we sin. We must apply the Word of God to our lives. If in fact we are believers, we should examine our lives in light of the message given, based on the exposition of scripture, and repent when neccessary; be encouraged when we hear of our Savior's sacrifice and our God's love; feel the weightiness of the Lord's spoken word to us and rejoice when the cause arises. In other words, we should leave from the sermon changed. It should not just be another theological discussion. It should not be just another Sunday morning. We should look for ways to apply what was said to our lives so that we grow in our sanctification (becoming like Christ) and the body (of believers) is likewise strengthened. Of course it helps when that application is drawn directly from the text preached.
We must be growing in sanctification. We must be willing to humble ourselves before our great and just God. We must be willing to circumvent our wants and desires and exchange them for His wants and desires. We must submit to the glory of God.
With that being said, this past Sunday one of our elders preached a sermon on the latter half of Romans chapter 15. It was preached expositionally and application was given at the end and included the Lord's supper (as it is every Sunday). I have thought and prayed about this since then and have come to the conclusion that I need to make a change in my life. I need to pray for those I don't even know. I need to pray for those whose only bond to me is that we are both under the headship of Christ (and that is enough to pray for them). I have neglected those who are out spreading the gospel in foreign lands and here at home. Instead I have focused on my local church, my family and friends (which are not bad things) and sat aside those who risk their lives daily to share the gospel because they wish to be obedient to the scriptures- to God.
Therefore, I am going to start praying and interacting with those who are brothers and sisters in Christ on a weekly basis so long as the Lord leads me to do so. I think I will not reinvent the wheel but utilize what is already out there such as Prisoner Alert.
Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in our local endeavors and there is certainly nothing amiss about doing such. But, if we neglect our brothers and sisters who need our prayers and support, when we have the ability to both pray and support, I think it is to the detriment of the Kingdom.
May the Lord keep me faithful to pray and minister to those who are taking the Gospel to the utter most parts of the earth and in so doing, may I not neglect those who are right here amongst me. Lord swell up within me a passion for your Church world wide while grounding me in faithful service to your local Church so my account before you may be one that is pleasing to your ears. May I not pursue one to the detriment of the other; keep me balanced in this endeavor you have graciously laid on my heart. Be glorified.
We must be growing in sanctification. We must be willing to humble ourselves before our great and just God. We must be willing to circumvent our wants and desires and exchange them for His wants and desires. We must submit to the glory of God.
With that being said, this past Sunday one of our elders preached a sermon on the latter half of Romans chapter 15. It was preached expositionally and application was given at the end and included the Lord's supper (as it is every Sunday). I have thought and prayed about this since then and have come to the conclusion that I need to make a change in my life. I need to pray for those I don't even know. I need to pray for those whose only bond to me is that we are both under the headship of Christ (and that is enough to pray for them). I have neglected those who are out spreading the gospel in foreign lands and here at home. Instead I have focused on my local church, my family and friends (which are not bad things) and sat aside those who risk their lives daily to share the gospel because they wish to be obedient to the scriptures- to God.
Therefore, I am going to start praying and interacting with those who are brothers and sisters in Christ on a weekly basis so long as the Lord leads me to do so. I think I will not reinvent the wheel but utilize what is already out there such as Prisoner Alert.
Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in our local endeavors and there is certainly nothing amiss about doing such. But, if we neglect our brothers and sisters who need our prayers and support, when we have the ability to both pray and support, I think it is to the detriment of the Kingdom.
May the Lord keep me faithful to pray and minister to those who are taking the Gospel to the utter most parts of the earth and in so doing, may I not neglect those who are right here amongst me. Lord swell up within me a passion for your Church world wide while grounding me in faithful service to your local Church so my account before you may be one that is pleasing to your ears. May I not pursue one to the detriment of the other; keep me balanced in this endeavor you have graciously laid on my heart. Be glorified.
Is Stoning Still An Acceptable Form Of Punishment?
Two Iranian sisters convicted of adultery face being stoned to death after the supreme court upheld the death sentences against them, the Etemad newspaper Monday quoted their lawyer as saying.
Solati explained that the two sisters had initially been tried for "illegal relations" and received 99 lashes. However in a second trial they were convicted of "adultery."
"The two sisters have been tried twice for one crime," Solati protested.
Iran is only led by China in its exaction of the death penalty. Crimes that Iran says calls for death are murder, rape, armed robbery, serious drug trafficking and adultery.
Zohreh said she had an edgy relationship with her husband because of the strict limits he imposed on her life.
"I was a teacher and loved my job but my husband did not let me work... he was always suspicious of me and thought our differences were because I had an affair," she was quoted as saying by the daily.
"I do not approve the confessions that I made in the investigation phase and I deny what I said," she said.
You can read more here.
Some questions:
-Is stoning cruel and unusual punishment?
-Is there ever a time when this punishment would be justified?
-What if your religion commands its usage? Would it matter what the international bodies think?
-Does tough punishments for crimes deter criminal acts?
Solati explained that the two sisters had initially been tried for "illegal relations" and received 99 lashes. However in a second trial they were convicted of "adultery."
"The two sisters have been tried twice for one crime," Solati protested.
Iran is only led by China in its exaction of the death penalty. Crimes that Iran says calls for death are murder, rape, armed robbery, serious drug trafficking and adultery.
Zohreh said she had an edgy relationship with her husband because of the strict limits he imposed on her life.
"I was a teacher and loved my job but my husband did not let me work... he was always suspicious of me and thought our differences were because I had an affair," she was quoted as saying by the daily.
"I do not approve the confessions that I made in the investigation phase and I deny what I said," she said.
You can read more here.
Some questions:
-Is stoning cruel and unusual punishment?
-Is there ever a time when this punishment would be justified?
-What if your religion commands its usage? Would it matter what the international bodies think?
-Does tough punishments for crimes deter criminal acts?
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Super Bowl XLII 2008 Commercials
Below are some commercials that invoked a comment from me. Let me know what your thoughts are. What was your favorite commercial from the Super Bowl?
You can watch them all here.
1. My favorite overall commercial
2. Most creative.
3. Can't go wrong with the song, but why does the lizard "break wind"?
4. This one just makes me uncomfortable (and for the record, it makes me not want to buy peanuts!).
5. Sad use of celebrity to sale a drink. I feel sorry for that horse.
6. Pretty creative. Best use of baby in commercial.
7. See what happens when someone believes in you.
8. The best childhood toy ever invented!
9. Why are clowns kind of creepy?
10. Cars.com made some funny commercials as well.
You can watch them all here.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Proposed Legislation:Eating Out Will Be Illegal If Your Fat
Mississippi legislators this week introduced a bill that would make it illegal for state-licensed restaurants to serve obese patrons. Bill No. 282, a copy of which you'll find [in the link], is the brainchild of three members of the state's House of Representatives, Republicans W. T. Mayhall, Jr. and John Read, and Democrat Bobby Shows. The bill, which is likely dead on arrival, proposes that the state's Department of Health establish weight criteria after consultation with Mississippi's Council on Obesity. It does not detail what penalties an eatery would face if its grub was served to someone with an excessive body mass index.
You can read more here.
Some questions:
-If this ever did pass, do you think it would work?
-Is it wiser, given the following two options, to legislate what restaurants sale or to legislate who can eat at them?
-Is this what we elect our representatives to do?
-Why do you think this bill was proposed?
Jonathan Coulton: Creative, Free Music
My name is Jonathan Coulton and I’m a musician, a singer-songwriter and an internet superstar. This site is chock full of music, news and me-related merchandise - if you’re not that familiar with who I am and what I do you can use the link [below] to get started.
You can listen to every one of his songs right there on his website. Browse around and get a feel for his personality. He loves making music and doesn't mind giving it away for free or for donations or by way of bartering. There are videos that fans have made to go along with his music. And as a note, his music is not lacking in talent or creativity and it is licensed under the creative commons licensing protocol.
You can check it out here. (smiley face icons mean they are free!)
***While most songs are pure genius, some are not suitable for children due to language or mature subject matter***
You can listen to every one of his songs right there on his website. Browse around and get a feel for his personality. He loves making music and doesn't mind giving it away for free or for donations or by way of bartering. There are videos that fans have made to go along with his music. And as a note, his music is not lacking in talent or creativity and it is licensed under the creative commons licensing protocol.
You can check it out here. (smiley face icons mean they are free!)
***While most songs are pure genius, some are not suitable for children due to language or mature subject matter***
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