Wesley J. Smith

I posted here at SHS a few days ago about a story reporting that Peter Singer would receive a cool $20 Gs for speaking at Arizona State University in Phoenix. I didn’t mention that I was interviewed for some time by the reporter but was not quoted. Nothing unusual there. I am often interviewed . . . . Continue Reading »

The UK is debating a new bill to govern the ethics of creating embryos. Part of the bill would outlaw putting animal sperm into human eggs. But the reverse is not mentioned and at least one scientist is concerned. From the story:A leading scientist has warned a new species of “humanzee,” . . . . Continue Reading »

The latest Dutch euthanasia statistics are in, and the number of cases reported have gone up. From the story: The number of cases of euthanasia reported by doctors last year rose to 2,120 from 1,923 in 2006, according to official figures published this week, reports ANP news service. In three cases . . . . Continue Reading »

All around the country and the world, scientists who don’t fall in line on human cloning, global warming, neo-Darwinism, and other issues in which the Science Establishment demands lockstep thinking, find themselves being pushed aside—ironically, by the very types who vociferously . . . . Continue Reading »

This is exciting news and demonstrates once again that most biotechnology isn’t morally contentious. A teenager with failing eyesight has had his vision improved by inserting healthy genes to correct a genetically caused disability. From the story: In the trial carried out by a team at the . . . . Continue Reading »

A reader sent a funny old story to me from Modern Mechanix (“Yesterday’s Tomorrow, Today”), circa 1956. The article is about transhumanism, long before the term was coined, and it ponders some of the ways that science might “redesign” the human body. Here’s an . . . . Continue Reading »

An article about a pending speech by Peter Singer in the Phoenix Times demonstrates once again that some of the best journalism and commentary can be found in the alternative press. From the story, byline Sarah Fenske:In his 1985 book Should the Baby Live? The Problem of Handicapped Infants, the . . . . Continue Reading »

The country that has brought the concept of “plant dignity” to the world has now extended “rights” to members of “social species.” animals. From the story: Under a new Swiss law enshrining rights for animals, dog owners will require a qualification, anglers will . . . . Continue Reading »

Some time ago, I charged Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell Technology with having “betrayed science.” Recently, at his initiative, we have been in communication and have cleared some of the bad air that lay between ourselves. While we do not agree on ethical matters, I think it is fair to . . . . Continue Reading »

SHS continues to its slow, but satisfyingly steady growth. We just passed 30,000 visitors in the last 30 days. That is thanks to you all. My deep appreciation for your support and participation, for sending me stories you think will be of interest, and for your comments. Thank . . . . Continue Reading »