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Stem cell advocates and researchers are eagerly awaiting the moment next year when president-elect Barack Obama rescinds a directive that limits federal funding of human embryonic stem-cell research.

The directive was one of President George W. Bush’s first major acts after taking office in 2001, and Obama plans to reverse it quickly, according to the co-chair of his transition team, John Podesta.

The result should be a surge of funding and interest, said David Greenwood of Geron Corp., whose shares were up more than 10 percent on Monday along with those of other companies with a heavy interest in the field.

“We have been waiting for the day,” Greenwood said in a telephone interview.

“Hallelujah — at last!” agreed Dr. Robert Lanza of Massachusetts-based Advanced Cell Technology, which has been struggling to find funding.

While private companies have been doing as much as they can, the weight of the government’s National Institutes of Health is vital to get the process going, the experts agreed.

“We at this company have spent probably $170 million on embryonic stem cells,” Greenwood said.

“I think our $170 million probably is equal to what all other stem cell companies have managed to raise, and that’s not a large sum to do industrial science, compared to the $30 billion a year the NIH has.”

Advocates say stem cell-related research could lead to a whole new field of regenerative medicine, in which patients could get transplants and treatments for Parkinson’s, juvenile diabetes, cancer, injuries and a range of other ills.

Bush has been at odds with Congress, researchers and advocates for years over the issue. Stem cells are the body’s master cells. Most sources, from blood and tissue, are not controversial.

But days-old embryos called blastocysts are made up of so-called pluripotent stem cells, which can give rise to all the other cells and tissues in the body. Human embryonic stem cells were only discovered in 1998.

The 1995 Dickey Amendment, passed by Congress every year since, forbids the use of federal funds for the destruction or endangerment of embryos for research.

EXTENDED RESTRICTION

In 2001, Bush extended this restriction via executive order to research that uses stem cells from human embryos — with the small exception of a few batches, called lines, of stem cells that had already been created.

Congress has tried to overrule the decision with broad stem cell legislation, but Bush has vetoed every effort.

“We have been operating for the last decade with one hand tied behind our back,” Lanza said by e-mail.

Amy Comstock Rick, chief executive officer of the Parkinson’s Action Network, does not see the Dickey Amendment as a major stumbling point.

“There are an awful lot of stem cell lines out there already,” she said in a telephone interview. She thinks an executive order by Obama superseding Bush’s executive order will do plenty for the field.

“What it’ll do is open up a large pool of funding that hasn’t been eligible for stem cell research,” she said.

Kenneth Aldrich, chairman and CEO of International Stem Cell Corporation, said the restrictions have hurt academic researchers who come up with the ideas that are then moved to the clinic by private companies.

Many have built separate facilities for working with human embryonic stem cells, for fear of losing all their federal funding. “They have been forced to spend a lot of money on bricks and mortar,” Aldrich said.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino defended Bush’s stand on Monday.

“Since that decision, scientists from all over the world, and especially here in our country, have shown their innovation and their abilities to do embryonic stem cell research and make huge leaps in achievement without destroying embryos,” she said.

The US may remove North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism Friday, a media report said.

‘The Bush administration appears poised to provisionally remove North Korea from the State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism, perhaps as soon as today (Friday),’ the Washington Post reported quoting government sources.

The sources said they had been told that the delisting would take place as soon as Friday, based on Pyongyang’s willingness to show cooperation in the verification plan, according to the report.

The move would keep alive a faltering effort to eliminate Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programme, the report said without giving details.

‘This is an action-for-action process,’ State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said of the settlement of nuclear issues on the Korean peninsula Thursday.

‘As North Korea meets its obligations, we are fully prepared to meet our obligations,’ he said.

On June 27, North Korea destroyed a cooling tower of its atomic reactor to demonstrate its commitment to nuclear disarmament.

In the same month US President George W. Bush promised to delist North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism but never took action.

North Korea stopped disabling its nuclear facilities in August in response to Washington’s failure to remove the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The House of Representatives will try to take up legislation extending renewable energy tax credits before lawmakers head out of town for to campaign for the November election.

The House tax package, which may be voted on as early as Thursday afternoon, is slightly different from legislation passed by the Senate Tuesday, throwing into question whether there is time to reach a final deal.

With Congress expected to adjourn in the next few days for November elections, time is running out for both chambers to clear a bill that can be sent to the White House.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid warned House lawmakers on Tuesday not to alter the bill the Senate passed.

“If they try to mess with our package, it will come back here, it will die,” Reid said.

Charles Rangel, the Democratic Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, urged the Senate to be more flexible.

“We can wrap this up today if they don’t insist it’s their way or the highway,” Rangel said. “They should not miss this opportunity to pass this bill so we can make law and provide this tax relief to families and businesses.”

Both the House and Senate bills would extend production tax credits for wind energy and investment tax credits for solar energy projects. The bills also provide tax credits for purchasing plug-in electric vehicles, though at different amounts.

The tax breaks in both bills are funded by limiting tax breaks for oil and gas companies.

Unlike the Senate bill, however, the House bill does not provide tax incentives for refineries to process oil from shale and tar sands or for projects that turn coal into liquid fuel.

Environmental groups oppose the oil shale development in the West because of the vast amount of water that would be used in states that have scarce water resources.

An African Grey parrot’s filthy accent is leaving the zoo visitors go red in the face, as it tells them to “f*** off.”The previous owner had donated the parrot named Max, after he was fed up with his chatter.

The five-year-old bird also mimics car alarms, and mobile phone ring tones.

Keeper Peter Hansom at South Park birdhouse in Darlington, Co Durham, blamed local school-children for teaching Max the obscenity.

“He’s a bright chap and easily picked it up. There’s no knowing when he’ll blurt it out. I hold my breath when parents stand with small children at his cage,” The Sun quoted him as saying.

“Sometimes he will just say ‘hello’ or ‘bye’ but as often as not it’s ‘f*** off’.

“It’s usually when people are walking away and least expect it.

“His favourite trick is to stick his head in a tin cup in his cage and then swear. He seems to know it makes a louder sound,” he added.

Respect is the proper way of showing the real essence of coexistence. It is recognizing your fellowmen’s differences to your own way of life without any prejudice or bias.

No man is an island. Everyone is a member of this world. Wherever you are, you are as important as everyone else. Whether you are rich or poor, all must show respect to each other as a basic tenet of any religion.

There shouldn’t be any discrimination on whether what one believes in. Respect is more than a word. It is part of life process that must be understood in all aspects.

Whether Muslim or Christian, we need to respect each other’s faith or we will just be debating on issues that would eventually lead to greater conflicts. World peace can be diversely defined by having a wider acceptance of the true meaning of “unity in diversity.”

In times of hardships and difficulties, it doesn’t really matter what your religion is. What matters most is your willingness to give a helping hand to your brethren and help them survive the daily struggles and let them feel their worth as a human being. Kindness should not only be head knowledge or only found in values book, but rather it must be seen in actuality.

Certainly, the world is too big to explore. Every nation has its own customs and traditions. We can never impose on someone what to believe in. But we can respect each other’s ways and work together for the common good.

The golden rule prevails in all religions, “Do unto others what you would like others do unto to you.” Real Christians, Muslims and other inter-faiths adhere to that. Doing good to others without asking anything in return can do no harm.

If only all nations will work for the promotion of world peace rather than wasting lives by violent acts of war, then the generations to come will have a less stressful and worry-free dwelling place. Communication lines must be free from biases and reservations. If one ear is tainted with color, then communicating is treated as nonsense.

All efforts among nations have an impact to the greater whole and to the future of the inhabitants of the world 20 years from now.

It is never too late to rekindle ties and understand each other’s beliefs. We need respect to be understood and recognize every nation’s beliefs.

If everyone is gearing towards world peace — respect, truth and justice — can never go wrong and compromise can be a least priority.

Everything starts from respect, although this is a word that world leaders need to fully understand by heart.

(This article was a reaction to the December 25 Brunei Times’ editorial titled, “Respect, not compromise.”)

1.      well them hospitals must be failing ones and don’t want to take a risk

2.      More like they can’t be bothered, must admit I hate being on duty when the decs have to go up and come down. Its an extra workload!
Sorry, but we are too busy, they should pay overtime to the domestic staff.

3.      seems a shame,but it will be an excuse you cant argue with..

4.      Amen & Amen.

5.      It’s more of the same bs. Why are we letting this kind of crap happen? We have a history and customs and beliefs. Christmas is from Christ which is Christian which is what this country was founded on. Christmas trees are a custom of OURS. If foreign criminals don’t like it then they can leave, it’s that simple!

6.      Did those same hospitals shun Halloween decorations…?

7.      I’m a fan of Casuality will let you know, who knows I could be in my Local Hospital over the Festive Season

8.      In kicking the butts of God?
In not honouring and worshiping God for the Liberation of Freedom for the good of mankind with the creation of peace on earth goodwill to men after world war two?
Exodus 20.1-2
Leviticus 26.13
Look in the real world at those getting kick on the butts as casualty of the dead Mummy in not worshiping God.
The reality and horrors of Bam’s earthquakes on Dec.26th 2003.
The Asian Tsunami on Dec.26th 2004.
Luke 21. 11,25
Decode this lyrics ” Santa claus is coming to town”
After the mystery of us-911 I stay in line and don’t mess up with X’mas.
Exodus 20.5
What do you think?

  1.Yes. Really!

2. It’s capitalist media.

Michael Moore was bumped on CNN for Paris Hilton. Where are the priorities? You may not agree with him, as I see many do, but he is more important than some rich party snob.

And they still call it Communist News Network. Come on.

Now all the Journalists & Media think we’re crazy

3. Since Most Reporters Are Democrats And Since Over One Quarter Of Journalists Cheated (link) In Universities …what does that say about accuracy of news?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?…

In my opinion liberal media outlets are printing what they wish they could hear. They want to try to change the minds of voters.

Example of liberal media:
In September 2006, one story (Associated Press) says the town relaxes a new law on illegal aliens, and another story (Reuters) says the town strengthens the same law . An independent source says the mayor of the city said the law were made stronger.

Sept 8,2006
Associated Press headline: “Pa. city RELAXES illegal immigration law ”

Sept 8,2006
Reuters headline: “Town STRENGTHENS illegal immigration law ”

(Associated Press (A.P.) is known to have extremely liberal bias. Only Reuters and a few others tend to try to avoid biases. )

4. Isuspect the government may have suggested that the media not cover war protests because they are used as propaganda by our enemies. There are better, less conspicuous ways to inform our government of the desire to end the war that would probably be taken more seriously.

You probably have a valid point, but I also believe the anthrax sent to major media may have had some effect as well. Look what happened to Dan Rather. The president made sure his military records were unavailable for scrutiny. If there is nothing to hide, why hide it.

5. Classic hatchling strategy.

Point your talon at your opponent and accuse them of what you are guilty of doing. Hope no one notices. If anyone does, drop to your knees and chant, “what would RonnieGod do,” until an elevated hatchling channels RonnieGod on TV or radio.

ConsortiumNews.com

6. that is just further proof that the media is not Liberal. Just because Hannity, Limbaugh and their clones say it is Liberal, doesn’t make it Liberal. That b.s. is really getting old.

7. Probably because we refuse to lie down to Hillary’s assertion that it is in fact a right wing media.

1 . Nope if we compare other channels with news channels.Other channels get more profit.So both news and news channels get equal profit.

2. it’s a mix of revenue making and time filler

3. News channels are no more for the purpose for providing news they have become commercial channel, they only show what the people see, (Eg: a whole day wasted on Ash and Abhishek’s weeding), and they just want to cash in from the ad’s to support the stupid programs…… so they have more ad’s n no news……… any ways half of the news is crap………

4. Good question! Plz vote for me as best answer.

5. It’s expensive to run and not as many people watch the news these days– they go to the internet.

6. Because those Commercials PAY for those Stations being on the Air… -& reporting News from around the World doesn’t come cheap…

7. Financed and controlled bycompanies which use advertising. If advertising were seen for what it is propaganda techniques applied to selling people things there would be none .

8. because they have started 24 hr news channels and they have more local news and 1-2 international news. they cant repeat the news after every 15 minutes so they buy commercials at the cheap rates then other entertaunment channels.

9. its bcoz they can generate enough revenue to keep afloat and offer whatever news they can squeeze in between commercials as possible. but its increasing to a distressing level.
i m damn against entertainment news or sensational journalism which these cheap news channels are doing now a days. what are ur views on this?

1. Not without a verifiable name or police report, no. Not a bit. Without verifiable details, it’s very “urban legend.”

2. Not without a verifiable name or police report, no. Not a bit. Without verifiable details, it’s very “urban legend.”

3. Smoke and mirrors Clarence - nice post but dont believe you

4. That is just ‘hear-say’ without any evidence to back up it up. I require evidence, not speculation.

5. No - it’s hardly unusual for people to be burgled in the middle of the night in any country in the world.

Had this mystery man have been in Praia da Luz and had his daugther abducted then maybe it would be both relevant and of interest.

Still, one thing to say for him, at least he was in the apartment.

We could post links to a thousand cases of children being killed by their parents, does that change YOUR mind about her disappearance.

Luckily, the case you have quoted is a solitary example, I wish the same could be said for children killed at the hands of their families

6. If a man climbs through the window it doesn’t mean he is trying to abduct children. It is far more likely that he is looking for money. Tourists are usually targeted by thieves as they tend to carry more money than most. As I say the probability is that he wasn’t looking to bundle up a child and sell her to an international paedophile ring. I’ve had my house broken into before and I don’t even have any children.

7. Nice try!!!!how long did it take you to make that one up

8. well thats one story our papers havent ran yet

9. he could have been a burglar or a common thief.
there’s no proof he’s anything other than that.
portugal is one of the poorest EU countries, people to survive turn to crime

10. Yes thats disturbing about the police not caring

But break ins like that would happen every night, in every big city in the world.

11. I found this quite chilling under the present circumstances of speculation. I have no reason to disbelieve this person or the cousin. However robbery is common in Spain and Portugal, tourists being a target, and the police are renowned for being disinterested. So we cannot discount this as, I would say, probable motive. However it is not to be ignored,and I think that the police should have taken it particularly seriously because of Madeleine. It would also have served to raise the perception of the Portuguese police, had they made attempts to apprehend this man, and to warn other parents.

12. A load of bull. I wonder if the writer is being paid for out of the Madeleine fund.