22 January 2007
Canada - The Paradox of Modern AIDS Treatment
“The quality of life that faces aging Canadian HIV/AIDS patients is suffering because of the effects that new medication can have on the body over an extended period of time”, says Stephen Alexander of the Canadian AIDS society. “Though HIV/AIDS patients are living longer, it is not a quality life. One of the reasons is the cocktail, which may include three to five medications. The toxicity of these medications really plays havoc on one's body," he says. The treatment extends life expectancy, but leave one vulnerable to the medications' side-effects. ...[more]
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United Kingdom - Drug Needle Machine Rejected
Councilors have thrown out a controversial proposals for a needle exchange machine for drug users outside a Conlwyn police station. The planned machine - also rejected by community councilors in September - was recommended to be "conditionally supported" by officials. North Wales Police had wanted to place the £10,000 machine in Colwyn Bay for use by registered addicts. ...[more]
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USA - Proposed Euthanasia Bills in Arizona, California & Vermont
A bill identical to the Oregon legislation on assisted suicide is being considered in Arizona with California and Vermont close behind. The law would introduce protocols for assisted suicide requests to be made in writing or orally, and the patient deemed mentally competent for such a decision, if a prognosis of terminal illness is established. In an attempt to legitimize assisted suicide, the proposal would also prohibit other forms of active euthanasia and thus punish those who actively kill patients without their consent. It also includes conscience clauses for personnel who don't want to be involved. ...[more] and ...[more]
Australia - Advocates Furious Over Euthanasia Book Ban
Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock has attempted to block publication of a book on the controversial subject. Mr Ruddock is appealing the approval of the sale of a self-help euthanasia book by euthanasia activist, Dr Phillip Nitschke. The book offers advice and tips to those considering euthanasia and is being sold in the USA and Canada. Dr Nitschke denies his book would lead to an increase in Australia's suicide rate. Euthanasia activists have labelled Mr Ruddock's attempts as “ridiculous and outrageous”. ...[more]
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USA - Anglican Churches Request Alternative Diocese in America
More than 17 Anglican churches across the South requested the Church of Kenya to form a diocese in America. Congregations began to split from the Episcopal Church when an openly gay bishop was consecrated in 2003. While homosexuality triggered the exodus of churches from the national body, the conservative groups have emphasized that the Episcopal Church's departure from Scriptural authority caused their breakaway. ...[more]
Nigeria - Bishops Warn of Schism in Anglican Church
Church of Nigeria have warned the worldwide communion that they "cannot walk together" with provinces that do not repent of their departure from Scripture. The Nigerian primate’s statement was directed to the U.S.-based Episcopal Church, which consecrated an openly gay bishop. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams also expressed his fear that a schism will develop in the church as the situation is slipping out of his control. ...[more]
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USA - Embryonic Stem Cell Research Legislation Passed
The House of Representatives voted 253-174 to approve a bill -- called the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 -- that would expand federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research is allowed only for research using embryonic stem cell lines created on or before Aug. 9, 2001, under a policy announced by President Bush on that date. The House was 37 votes shy of the 290 votes needed to override a presidential veto. The White House released a statement, reiterating Bush's intent to veto the measure. “The bill would compel all American taxpayers to pay for research that relies on the intentional destruction of human embryos.” ...[more]
USA - Adult Stem Cell Research Shows Promise for Transplant Therapies
University of Minnesota stem cell researchers, together with collaborators at Stanford University, have successfully used adult stem cells to replace the immune system and bone marrow of mice, offering the promise of new therapies for people in the future. For decades, researchers have tried in the lab to expand hematopoietic stem cells (cells that give rise to the blood system). Success in this venture would mean increasing the supply of cells available for bone marrow transplant patients. The researchers used multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs), which can be isolated from bone marrow and have the ability in the laboratory to differentiate into different specific types of cells such as liver, bone and neural cells. ...[more]
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USA - Push Resumes for New .xxx Domain for Internet Pornography
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, a private agency that oversees Internet operation, rejected a similar proposal last May but is revisiting the matter after adding stronger provisions to prohibit child pornography and to require labeling of sites with sexually explicit materials. Supporters say the creation of an .xxx domain will separate pornographers from the rest of the Internet, making it easier to filter pornographic sites. “FRC opposed this action the first time around, on the grounds that it would be unenforceable -- and grant a legitimizing status to the porn industry,” said Jared Bridges, web editor for FRC on Jan 9.. ...[more]
USA - Live Porn May be Next Step for Hotels
In the world of on-demand viewing of sexually explicit material, the next step could be the ability to watch live performers from the privacy of one’s hotel room. That was one topic during a panel discussion at Internext, an annual trade show for sex entertainment industry producers, marketers and payment processors. Gregory Clayman, the owner of the live-action company Video Secrets, predicted that the industry would soon be selling not just videos on demand in mainstream hotels, but images of people having sex live over the hotels' entertainment systems. Americans spent $1.6 billion last year for on-demand and pay-per-view video, according to JupiterKagan, a media research firm. It estimates that about a third of those sales were for sex films. ...[more]
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USA - The Stockholm Syndrome
The miraculous rescue of Shawn Hornbeck, who spent four years in captivity, provides an insight into the similarly dark and disturbing life experienced by those who are captured, coerced or deceived into slavery for sex or forced labor. Known as the Stockholm Syndrome, it causes the victim to experience the same bizarre identification with its captor. This psychological coping mechanism explains why many trafficked victims not only cease attempts to escape, but also may even refuse to cooperate with law enforcement officials who rescue them. ...[more]
United Kingdom - Red-Light ‘Guardian Angel’
Prompted by the recent Ispwich killings, new locator devices – the ‘Streetwork Guardian Angel’ alarm – will be issued to street prostitutes in the near future. They are linked to satellites, and, if activated, will be used to pinpoint prostitutes in danger. Information received from the alerts will be relayed to the local police who will be able to respond immediately. ...[more]
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USA – “Embryos are Humans” Says U.S. Government
A new report by the United States governments’ Domestic Policy Council admits that embryos are human beings; the only differences between embryos and other human beings, says the report, are accidental differences in levels of development. “Embryos are humans in their earliest developmental stage,” writes the Council. To speak of ‘an embryo’ is to designate a human being at a particular stage.” The Domestic Policy Council, which coordinates the domestic policy-making process in the White House, and which is under the direction of President Bush, made these unequivocal statements about the human embryo in its report on stem-cell research entitled, “Advancing Stem Cell Science without Destroying Human Life.”
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USA – Countdown to First Womb Transplant
Despite unease amongst doctors and ethicists, a New York hospital is preparing to offer the first uterus transplant in the US. Dr Giuseppe Del Priore and Dr Jeanetta Stega, of the New York Downtown Hospital, have secured ethics committee approval and shown that it is possible to obtain wombs from deceased donors. They are confident that anti-rejection drugs will not harm the foetus. What sets a uterus transplant apart from other transplant operations is that it is driven not by concern for the patient's survival, but by her desire for a child from her own body. It is quality of life surgery, not life-saving surgery. Furthermore, the child would probably not be conceived naturally, but with IVF. Once the woman has had her child, or if no child comes after two years, another operation would be needed to remove the uterus to minimise health risks from immunosuppressant drugs. ...[more]
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Poland - Psychologist Convicted of Paedophilia
A Warsaw court sentenced well-known psychologist, Andrzej Samson, to eight years in jail for paedophilia. He was found guilty of sexually harassing disabled children and creating and allowing third parties access to child pornography. Samson said he was carrying out experimental therapy on disabled children, but did not tell parents in order to obtain better results. ...[more]
England - Princess Beatrice's Teacher Accused Of Internet Paedophilia
A teacher at Britain's Princess Beatrice's school has been arrested for internet paedophilia. Beatrice, 18, was said to be "shocked and upset" to discover her history teacher, Richard Findley, had been arrested. The 42-year-old teacher worked at St. George's School in Ascot, Berkshire, where the princess is studying for her A-Levels. A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper, "The princess is particularly upset because she thought Richard Findley was a good teacher. A lot of children were very fond of him." Findley, who has been head of history at the school since September, was arrested on suspicion of trying to 'incite a child to engage in sexual activity.' He has been released on bail pending further inquiries. ...[more]
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