Wesley J. Smith

This post isn’t about the propriety of the death penalty so much as it is about the dangers and profound crassness of utilitarian philosophy.  Peter Singer has stated that if he was convinced of a utilitarian benefit to society from the death penalty, he would support . . . . Continue Reading »

There has been a controversial meme circulating for several years which holds that the abortion right resulted unintentionally in a reduction in crime.  The idea, I think, is that the fetuses who became medical waste would, but for being aborted, have become children raised in unstable homes . . . . Continue Reading »

The euthanasia agenda is not—and never has been—limited to the “terminally ill for whom nothing else can be done to alleviate suffering.”  Some still pretend that is so as a political expedient, but many are becoming increasingly forthcoming about the radical scope of . . . . Continue Reading »

Obamacare continues to be a political albatross. A new poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation (not exactly known for right wingism) shows a record low in support. From The Hill story:Support for Democrats’ healthcare reform has hit its lowest point since the law passed in March 2010, says a . . . . Continue Reading »

So, opponents of animal research: Should we not investigate the factors in snakes that make their hearts so powerful?  If so, we might miss out on some very important knowledge. From the AFP story:The secret to the giant Burmese python’s success is in a massive amount of fatty acids . . . . Continue Reading »

IVF has been painted as a virtually risk free enterprise.  But we haven’t much studied the long term impact on children—who appear to have higher rates of certain health issues than those conceived through the natural process—or on women who have had their ovaries . . . . Continue Reading »

I have a rather long piece on NRO about the worsening and widening euthanasia license in the Netherlands, Belgium (especially!), and Switzerland—and what accepting euthanasia consciousness does to a nation’s moral fiber.  Anyone interested can read the whole thing by hitting the . . . . Continue Reading »

I have been warning anyone who will listen that ”animal standing” is one of the most potentially destructive animal rights agenda items. Animal standing advocates hope to change the law so that animals can sue their owners in their own names, which of . . . . Continue Reading »

I think many of the political and ethical arguments today, whether in bioethics, tax policy, or other issues roiling society—boil down to a fundamental dispute between what is meant by “equality.”  Some (me included) believe it means equal opportunity (American . . . . Continue Reading »

Imagine a private insurance company stating that it would, in the future, sharply limit payment for hospital stays regardless of need because it had money problems.  Political leaders would call CEOs to Washington demanding answers.  Regulators would threaten huge fines.  The lawsuits . . . . Continue Reading »