Wesley J. Smith

This is definitely bad policy, but it was probably the right decision by the court: A Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled that a relatives who may have assisted a suicide can still inherit from his estate. From the story:The wife and daughter of a Wisconsin man who committed suicide can inherit his . . . . Continue Reading »

This is an example of how animal research can lead to tremendous alleviation of human suffering. Pigs are being genetically altered to have CF and cloned for use in research. From the story:Cystic fibrosis (CF) is triggered when a person inherits two copies of a faulty gene carried by about one in . . . . Continue Reading »

IPSCs were first created in humans only about 10 1/2 months ago. Yet, hurdles to their full use in regenerative medicine fall at a rate not seen with ESCR or, for sure, therapeutic cloning. And now another one. From the story: Scientists are reporting today that they have overcome a major obstacle . . . . Continue Reading »

As I reported here at SHS, Compassion and Choices (formerly the Hemlock Society)—the leaders of which are all so supportive of respecting the political process about assisted suicide in Oregon—at the same time are attempting to trash the right of Montana to outlaw assisted suicide via . . . . Continue Reading »

Sarah Palin psychosis continues undiminished: Now, Democratic Representative Alcee Hastings told a Jewish audience that Sarah Palin is probably a threat to Jews and blacks—because she hunts. From the story:“If Sarah Palin isn’t enough of a reason for you to get over whatever your . . . . Continue Reading »

A radical environmental group called the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund is the brainchild behind a constitutional proposal, to be voted on Sunday, that would grant rights to “nature.” From the proposal:Persons and people have the fundamental rights guaranteed in this . . . . Continue Reading »

The SF Chronicle’s editorial page hews distinctly left—with Secondhand Smokette providing an alternate view on the op/ed page. That is why I was struck by the paper coming out against Proposition 2, the HSUS sponsored initiative to ban caging egg chickens. And the editorial board seems . . . . Continue Reading »

I can’t tell you all how often I ignore PETA’s ridiculous antics. They are addicted to publicity—any publicity—to promote their zealotry and I am loath to lend any hand in that enterprise. But sometimes a story comes along that so succinctly illustrates the group’s . . . . Continue Reading »

I reported a little while ago about Joanne Hill, who murdered her daughter with cerebral palsy. Now, she has been found guilty. From the story: A mother who drowned her disabled daughter in a bath after drinking wine was convicted of murder yesterday and sentenced to life in prison.Joanne Hill, 32, . . . . Continue Reading »

In a recent previous post, we discussed the reasons why many patients no longer trust the medical system. A disturbing study that found too little empathy from doctors toward their cancer patients could also be a contributing cause. From the story: U.S. researchers who assessed interactions between . . . . Continue Reading »