Clone Wars

So the FDA is telling us that cloned meat & milk is alright for human consumption. I wonder. "Dolly" the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult stem cell successfully, was cloned in 1996. That's only 12 years. I am sorry, but that is not a long enough time to determine that we can now eat her or her offspring. The American people don't agree with our government that this is a good way to go. Around 60% do not think that we should be cloning animals, especially for consumption. The FDA report that supports the further use of clones and the suggestion that it is ok for consumption, cites study after study where everything seems normal. But the FDA report is full of statements that hedge their bets. There are anomalies, but they fall within the accepted parameters of the scientific community and are therefore deemed safe. There seems to be a belief at the FDA, that if we can't find something wrong through our science, then it must be OK.

Economics is playing a large role in this. Corporate farmers and the scientific community that is associated with farming, see this as a way to increase profits. Not that I am opposed to profit, but not at the expense to the general welfare of the public. I understand that there is great pressure to produce more with less. If you can clone a cow that produces more milk, and its offspring also produce more milk, then you make more money. Are you willing to be the guinea pig to determine whether or not their profit comes at the expense of your health?

We need to stop. Just because we can do something, does not mean that we should. What happens when we have cloned ourselves a homogenous cow population and some new disease wipes them all out. Same with crops, we are genetically engineering plants at an amazing rate. Science has not yet proved to us that what they are doing is safe. It seems like the American people are taking a stand here. There is a growing number of people that are demanding to know the origin of their food. There are already companies that promote their products based on the fact that they are not being manipulated with genes, drugs, hormones, or anything unnatural. People seem to be buying these products more and more. Maybe the marketplace will slow this artificial manipulation process down.

Goodbye?

It seems that we have to say goodbye to some of the candidates already. After 1 caucus (IA), 1 convention (WY) and 1 primary (NH), we now have 3 less candidates to vote for. The amazing thing is that with less than 1 million people having voted, these men have left the contest. Now, I understand that it takes money to run a campaign, but why get in, if you are not even going to let the vast majority of voters have an opportunity to vote for you? What's the old saying, "in for a penny, in for a pound"? If these men want to be our leaders, they need to be able to discern whether they have enough determination to go the distance. They will certainly need determination if they do become President.

The media does not help the situation. If you listen to the pundits, then maybe more should have dropped out already. The endless polling and the constant drum beat of the media that a candidate must win in Iowa or New Hampshire or it's over, wears on both the candidates and the voters. Approximately one hundred twenty million voters turned out in the 2004 election. So, literally, tens of millions of voters have lost the chance to vote for the candidate of their choice. Those in the media need to reexamine how they report on campaigns. It does not serve our democracy to have the electorate become discouraged and stop voting. Report on all of the candidates. Stop polling and let the voters decide at the ballot box. Just report the news, do not try to predict the future. Leave that to God, He is much better at it.

In 2004, approximately 60% of the eligible voters voted. For various reasons, the remaining eligible voters stayed home. You hear many complaints about the election process. "It's already determined who is going to win." "The politicians just do whatever they want to anyway." "My vote doesn't count." They are RIGHT! The Republican and Democratic parties rely on the party faithful to keep them in power. It is a small number of moderates and independents that tip the balance back and forth. If that 40% of eligible voters would vote, they would turn the political establishments on their heads. Then, no one could determine who was going to win, politicians would listen and your vote would count. They fear the power that you have. So USE it!

The Search for Truth

I wanted to start this blog to create a dialog about politics, religion, science and social values. There seems to be very polarizing attitudes among the politicians. Very few seem to be willing to listen to the opposition. Not every Democratic or Republican idea is bad. The American people are ready for the bickering to stop. Those who are on opposite sides of an issue, need to respect the fact that the opposition just might have some valid points. There is nothing wrong with having a strong point of view. I do. I am a Conservative Christian with the view that the Bible is The Truth, period. But, I respect the views of those from other religions, political parties and world views. I am in search of people who are willing to articulate their position and respect those who disagree, so that we may all receive the benefit of the give and take of ideas.

Well, that's all for now. I look forward to finding those who want to explore the best ideas.