This story out of the UK speaks volumes about how devalued the lives of disabled people are becoming. Gillian March had progressive multiple sclerosis, a very difficult disease that not only leads to increased disability, but often depression. She decided she wanted to kill herself—so that her . . . . Continue Reading »
I bring this very hopeful story up, not so much because of its substance, although it is a very hopeful apparent breakthrough. Rather, I want to illustrate an important point: In all of the brouhaha over cloning and embryonic stem cell research, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that most . . . . Continue Reading »
To my great delight and surprise, I have learned that there are about 10,000 discreet visits to Secondhand Smoke per month, with people checking in literally from every continent except Antarctica. Better yet, since I have been keeping track, the numbers seem to be slowly, but steadily, growing. . . . . Continue Reading »
In order to win the raging political debate over human cloning, political-scientists have determined that they should stop using the “C-word,” cloning, to describe their agenda and replace it with somatic cell nuclear transfer. This is the mendacious tactic used in Missouri, for example, . . . . Continue Reading »
The UK euthanasia group “Dignity in Dying” worries that “the religious right is on the march.” Reporting on the Toronto World Federation of Right to Die Societies Convention in its Autumn 2006 newsletter, we learn that my name apparently came up in the discussions. As usual, . . . . Continue Reading »
Missouri voters are being treated to what may be the most expensive initiative campaign in the state’s history—almost all from out the wallet of one man, financier James Stowers. There is no question that Stowers has done some wonderful things for MO. But now, he wants something for that . . . . Continue Reading »
Walsh Stem CellThe ad represents everything people hate about politics. First, it is dishonest. It has a woman claiming she will get Alzheimer’s in twenty years, strongly implying that ES cells could cure her. But, it is well known that ESCR is highly unlikely to provide a cure for . . . . Continue Reading »
No, not the act of a doctor lethally prescribing poison to a patient for use in suicide. Rather, the Department of Human Services—ever compliant with assisted suicide advocacy goals—will now call the act of doctors lethally prescribing overdoses of drugs for use in suicide, . . . . Continue Reading »
I have been criticized for focusing on the violent animal liberationists (SHAC, ALF) here at Secondhand Smoke, and those liberationists who refuse to condemn such violence (PETA). So, I recently featured Gary Francione, an animal liberationist who adamantly rejects violence, both here and at the . . . . Continue Reading »