Monthly Archives: April 2013

The Pros of Genetic Engineering: Why ‘Playing God’ Could Help The Human Race

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April 8, 2013

Brett Smith for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

Despite the frequently encountered argument that scientists are playing God with nature, the pros of genetic engineering are numerous and significant.

When discussing genetically modified organisms (GMO), it is important to note that the FDA and the World Health Organization have both deemed that the food products created with the technology are considered safe.

GMO produce has several genetically altered advantages over non-GMO fruits and vegetables, including increased resistance to pests, disease and drought.

These benefits of genetic engineering translate directly into cheaper prices. A recent Iowa State University study found that prices would be at least 10 percent higher for soybeans and 6 percent higher for corn worldwide without biotechnical modifications.

Some GMOs have even been found to taste better than their conventional counterparts. In a study published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, researchers found that as many as 60 percent of the people they surveyed actually preferred the taste of a genetically modified tomato.

The study focused on a particular modified tomato that had the genetically engineered advantage of a rose-scented compound that was coded into the tomato genome. The researchers said their study proves that food products can not only be made more resilient through biotechnology, but that they can also be made more flavorful.

The pros of genetic engineering can also be seen in fields besides agriculture. Scientists at the Department of Energy revealed that they have created a modified virus capable of generating electrochemical energy. Using the genetically modified viruses, they were able to create a device that is powered simply by applying pressure.

Cancer researchers and patients are also constantly reaping the benefits of genetic engineering. Many experimental treatments use genetically modified viruses to target and destroy cancer cells. A recent study showed that oncologists from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York were able to effectively treat a specific form of acute leukemia using genetically engineered viruses.

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The Pros of Genetic Engineering: Why ‘Playing God’ Could Help The Human Race

ACGT Provides Seed Money for T-Cell Immunotherapy Cell and Gene Therapy Research; Successful Clinical Trials for …

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ACGT today announced that seed money provided for innovative T-Cell immunotherapy cell and gene therapy research has led to two successful Clinical Trials for treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia resulting in remissions in both children and adults who had no other hope of recovery.

Stamford, Connecticut (PRWEB) April 08, 2013

According to Michel Sadelain, MD, PhD, ACGT Scientific Advisory Council member and Research Fellow, and senior author of the Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia study published March 21st in the journal Science Translational Medicine, This is a very exciting finding for patients and a major achievement in the field of targeted immunotherapy. Sadelain explained that these successful treatments would not have been possible had not been for the startup funding from ACGT. It wasnt easy to get funding to support such innovative, unproved therapies. The grant from ACGT was our first major grant to launch our T-cell program. Dr. Sadelain is the Director of the Center for Cell Engineering and Gene Transfer Expression Laboratory at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Dr. Sadelain, and Dr. Carl H. June, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, were each awarded $1 million in ACGT Clinical Investigator grants in 2004 to fund research using immune-mediated gene therapy for the treatment of lymphoma or leukemia. They were the first two Clinical Translational grants that ACGT awarded. Just last week, ACGT received 49 letters of intent, with a majority focused on T-cell therapy research, in response to its Request for Applications for 2013 Clinical Translational grants that will be awarded this Spring.

Dr. June, ACGT Scientific Advisory Council member and leader of the team that successfully treated two young leukemia patients, Emma Whitehead and Maddie Major, and seven other adult leukemia patients at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) also commented on the cutting-edge research ACGT supported: "Funding was not available from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for gene therapy (in 2004). ACGT was the first to be there, to say that cell and gene therapies can be a new platform therapy, and giving literally lifesaving grants to scientists who cannot get them from the federal system."

ACGT is the only not-for-profit in the U.S. solely dedicated to cancer cell and gene therapy treatments for all types of cancer. 100% of contributions go directly to research. ACGT has funded 41 grants since its founding in 2001 totaling almost $24 million to fund both basic research and clinical translation. ACGT's Scientific Advisory Council, comprised of 16 renowned physicians and researchers, conducts a rigorous review process. Seventeen ACGT funded research projects have been approved for human clinical trials, 11 of which are underway. To donate, please visit http://www.acgtfoundation.org or call 203.358.8000.

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Press Contact:

Deborah Burns, 203.257.3163

deborah(at)burnscommunications(dot)net

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ACGT Provides Seed Money for T-Cell Immunotherapy Cell and Gene Therapy Research; Successful Clinical Trials for ...

European Parliament does not defending freedom of speech – deutsch – EU-democracy-Watch – Video

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European Parliament does not defending freedom of speech - deutsch - EU-democracy-Watch
Europisches Parlament behauptet sie vertreten Meinungsfreiheit. Tatsache: Keine Meinungsfreiheit im Parlament http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10BxQh6RKc0 Ein...

By: TheEuWatch

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European Parliament does not defending freedom of speech - deutsch - EU-democracy-Watch - Video

THE FREEDOM INVENTION: BalanceWear® is Doing the Impossible

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SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Today, millions of Americans are unsteady on their feet due to a variety of medical-related issues. Gifted artist, Donna Terry, is one of the many narratives that speaks directly to the challenges and, often heartbreak of mobility loss. At 85 years-young, she is an unlikely video personality, but she wanted to tell her personal story.

My name is Donna and Ive come to you because I know that I need help, she begins. Ive lived here for 45 years. I married the handsomest man in the Navy and I had been married for 65 years except that my husband died two years ago and that has made it very, very difficult for me. Im losing my ability to continue with my life as I want it to be.

See the Video Here

Terrys doctor suggested she try BalanceWear, a therapeutic invented by Physical Therapist Cindy Gibson-Horn and manufactured by Motion Therapeutics. BalanceWear was designed to counter balance loss in individuals based on Gibson-Horns research utilizing Balance-Based Torso Weighting (BBTW). It has attracted doctors, researchers and patients suffering balance loss and earned a National Institutes of Health Recovery Grant of just under $400,000 awarded to Samuel Merritt University (SMU) Physical Therapy Professor Dr. Gail Widener, PT, and Dr. Diane Allen at San Francisco State University to continue research into Balance-Based Torso Weighting (BBTW) and its effects on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) mobility challenges. The first phase of the study validates previous research funded by the National MS Society demonstrating same session improvement in walking.

Mobility and balance challenges affect many patients dealing with various injuries and diseases, says Gibson-Horn. Donna is an example of a very active woman who has tried to maintain the same level of activity she had prior to her balance issues. The result has been serious falls ending in two broken arms.

It was like dipping your feet into the Fountain of Youth, said Terry after putting on BalanceWear, specifically designed for her personal balance needs. I could feel the difference when I walked.

Donnas a great example of the empowering benefits of BalanceWear, says Steve Cookston, CEO of Motion Therapeutics. We are inspired by each and every patient that regains their former freedom and mobility from BalanceWear. We have a very high rate of success, but a lot does depend on the individual patient and what is causing their imbalance.

See Donnas story on Youtube.com

For more information on BalanceWear, visit http://www.motiontherapeutics.com. Motion Therapeutics is a provider of therapeutic products designed to improve balance, stability and mobility in many disease states utilizing patented Balance-Based Torso-Weighting (BBTW) technology provided in the patented BalanceWear Series mobility products. The companys products are designed to accelerate the recovery and rehabilitation of adults and children with balance challenges and improve the mobility, confidence and independence of individuals. Visit MotionTherapeutics.com to learn more.

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THE FREEDOM INVENTION: BalanceWear® is Doing the Impossible

Kudlow: Margaret Thatcher, Freedom and Free Markets

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(Read More: UK's 'Iron Lady' Margaret Thatcher Dies of Stroke)

Margaret Thatcher, who governed the U.K. from 1979 to 1990, fought socialism in England and unyieldingly promoted the free-market views of Nobelists Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek. She stopped the destructive British labor unions dead in their tracks. With every bone in her body she attempted to limit government by lowering spending and taxation. She opted for big-bang financial deregulation. And she put London back on the map as a world banking center.

"Freedom" was always her watchword.

She also adored former President Ronald Reagan. And the two of them formed an extraordinary partnership for freedom and free markets. Working together, they helped bring down the Soviet communist system. And it was a peaceful bring-down at that.

(Read More: Margaret Thatcher's Greatest Moments)

Thatcher saw Gorbachev first, and she reported to Reagan, "We can do business with him." Reagan did, although he refused to back down on SDI. And as the American economy roared in response to Reagan's own free-market supply-side policies, the Soviets were out-produced and eventually folded.

Thatcher famously said, "The trouble with socialists is that they always run out of other people's money." That dictum really stands the test of time, doesn't it? Running out of other people's money? Today?

The age of big government has once again, at least temporarily, reared its ugly head. It's a great battle for all the economies around the world. That's one of many reasons why we will miss Margaret Thatcher. She did not go wobbly.

By CNBC's Larry Kudlow; Follow him on Twitter @larry_kudlow

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Kudlow: Margaret Thatcher, Freedom and Free Markets

Kudlow: Thatcher, Freedom, Free Markets

Posted on by

(Read More: UK's 'Iron Lady' Margaret Thatcher Dies of Stroke)

Margaret Thatcher, who governed the U.K. from 1979 to 1990, fought socialism in England and unyieldingly promoted the free-market views of Nobelists Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek. She stopped the destructive British labor unions dead in their tracks. With every bone in her body she attempted to limit government by lowering spending and taxation. She opted for big-bang financial deregulation. And she put London back on the map as a world banking center.

"Freedom" was always her watchword.

She also adored former President Ronald Reagan. And the two of them formed an extraordinary partnership for freedom and free markets. Working together, they helped bring down the Soviet communist system. And it was a peaceful bring-down at that.

(Read More: Margaret Thatcher's Greatest Moments)

Thatcher saw Gorbachev first, and she reported to Reagan, "We can do business with him." Reagan did, although he refused to back down on SDI. And as the American economy roared in response to Reagan's own free-market supply-side policies, the Soviets were out-produced and eventually folded.

Thatcher famously said, "The trouble with socialists is that they always run out of other people's money." That dictum really stands the test of time, doesn't it? Running out of other people's money? Today?

The age of big government has once again, at least temporarily, reared its ugly head. It's a great battle for all the economies around the world. That's one of many reasons why we will miss Margaret Thatcher. She did not go wobbly.

By CNBC's Larry Kudlow; Follow him on Twitter @larry_kudlow

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Kudlow: Thatcher, Freedom, Free Markets

Cris Cyborg wins her Invicta debut, readies herself for championship fight at Invicta 6

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Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos brought the pain in her Invicta Fighting Championships debut. After serving a yearlong steroid suspension, Santos mauled her bloodied opponent, Fiona Muxlow, who, to her credit, never gave up. Referee "Big" John McCarthy stopped Cyborg's relentless onslaught and awarded her a first-round TKO victory in 3:46.

The talk is still of the seemingly inevitable major matchup between Santos and UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. But next for Santos is Marloes Coenen for the featherweight championship at Invicta FC 6 in either June or July. "I feel terrified," Coenen joked at the post-fight press conference.

Invicta 5 was filled with GIF-worthy highlights: Rose Namajunas submitting Kathina Catron in 12 seconds with a flying armbar (submission of the night); Miriam Nakamoto knocking out Jessamyn Duke with a pair of knee strikes (KO of the night); "Rowdy" Bec Hyatt submitting rival Jasminka Cive with an armbar in 3:30; and Leslie Smith and the UFC's Sarah Kaufman slugging it out (fight of the night). Kaufman won a split decision.

Many in the crowd disagreed with the decision and booed. In the post-fight press conference, Smith angled for a rematch, possibly on a UFC card, saying that the world's biggest MMA organization shouldn't be too proud of having a fighter under contract (Kaufman) who won in such a manner.

The main event could easily have garnered fight-of-the-night honors. Challenger Michelle "The Karate Hottie" Waterson refused to give up when atomweight champion Jessica Penne locked on an armbar in the third round. Her escape led to a fourth round and Waterson locking on her own armbar for the submission, taking the title. Waterson collapsed in tears after finally getting Penne to tap.

Other highlights: Barb Honchak won the vacant 125-pound belt from Vanessa Porto in a technical fight that was definitely a comedown from the previous bouts. Julia Budd beat hometown favorite Mollie Estes by submission with a rear-naked choke in the third round. Jennifer Maia downed former Bellator champ Zoila Frausto Gurgel by unanimous decision.

Click here for an Invicta 5 slideshow.

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Cris Cyborg wins her Invicta debut, readies herself for championship fight at Invicta 6

Cris Cyborg's Invicta FC 5 Victory Sets Up Championship Rematch with Marloes Coenen

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Im very happy to come back and I want to fight soon.

Cris Cyborg made that statement following a first-round TKO stoppage of Fiona Muxlow at Invicta FC 5 on Friday night. It was Cyborgs first bout in 16 months, marking her return from a yearlong suspension for testing positive for steroids following her last fight.

The victory not only marked her return to action, it also launched her into a title fight with Marloes Coenen for the Invicta FC featherweight championship, assuring Cyborg that she will indeed fight again soon.

The bout is expected to take place sometime in July, although Invicta FC president Shannon Knapp told MMAWeekly.com that they had not yet set a date for the fight.

Coenen and Cyborg are looking forward to the fight just the same. Its a rematch of their Jan. 30, 2010, Strikeforce bout, in which Cyborg won via TKO stoppage in the third round.

After my first fight with Cris I know this sounds stupid but I kind of underestimated her, said Coenen on Friday night. But I hate it when I lose. I really hate that and I always want to make up for my losses.

What I like about Cris is she is a true, true fighter, Coenen continued.

I like a challenge. I always said I wanted to do it at the end of my career, but if it came sooner, it came sooner.

The respect is mutual.

I am very pleased because after the fight I did with her and she lose, commented Cyborg, she say to me, I want to fight you again.

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Cris Cyborg's Invicta FC 5 Victory Sets Up Championship Rematch with Marloes Coenen