Molecular Diagnostics Role in Cancer Testing Analyzed in In-demand TriMark Report Published at MarketPublishers.com

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London, UK (PRWEB) January 06, 2014

Nowadays, molecular diagnostics (MD) represents a promising area of research and medicine, which is witnessing tremendous technology advancements alongside the emergence of novel applications. The range of technologies associated with MD includes, amid others, gene expression profiling using microarrays, DNA probes, next-generation signal detection, first-generation amplification, fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), second-generation microfluidics and biochips, and biosensors and molecular labels. These technologies are essential tools playing vital roles in the optimization of drug therapy, in the discovery of new therapeutic molecules for cancer as well as in the screening, classification and diagnosis of cancer patients. Presently, MD for cancer testing is deemed as the most lucrative area for innovations and growth.

The pool of MD industry players includes but is not limited to CombiMatrix Corporation, LabCorp, Rosetta Genomics, Biodesix, Nuvera Biosciences, Targeted Molecular Diagnostics, Exact Sciences Corporation, bioTheranostics, InterGenetics, Orion Genomics, Sequenom, SABiosciences Corporation, Cancer Genetics and Nuvera Biosciences.

In-demand research report Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Testing drawn up by TriMark Publications LLC (TriMark) has been recently published by Market Publishers Ltd.

Report Details:

Title: Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Testing Published: November, 2013 Pages: 232 Price: US$ 3,400.00 http://marketpublishers.com/report/in_vitro_diagnostics/molecular_diagnostics/molecular-diagnostics-in-cancer-testing.html

The research study presents a comprehensive analysis of the MD field with a particular focus on the MD tests for cancer. It uncovers valuable information on the size and growth prospects of the MD market in its cancer detection and therapy applications; provides a thorough examination of the major factors influencing the development of the overall market and its certain segments, and also discloses sales statistics. The report presents description of the actual market state along with insights into the historical evolution of the sector, pinpoints the top market opportunities, covers the regulative framework, offers a snapshot of the existing MD technologies used for cancer testing applications as well as presents a summary of the recent business activities in the field. The study delves into the competitive landscape, unveils valuable data on the key market participants, and also contains forecasts for the MD market development in the next 5 years.

Report Features & Benefits:

More insightful research reports by TriMark can be found at http://marketpublishers.com/members/trimark/info.html.

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Molecular Diagnostics Role in Cancer Testing Analyzed in In-demand TriMark Report Published at MarketPublishers.com

Air France launches Facebook contest with Manish Arora

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Post the tremendous success of the Facebook contest for aspiring designers held last year in July, Air France in partnership with world famous Indian fashion designer Manish Arora, once again launches the contest for the young and talented fashion designers to showcase their talent starting January 06, 2013. According to Yeshwant Pawar, General Manager, South Asia, Air France-KLM, We are extremely happy and delighted with the response we had received from our online contest with Mr. Arora for the aspiring designers. We are very glad to revive this contest once again for all the potential designers giving them a chance to witness and take home learning from the fashion industrys biggest event. We also believe inspiring concepts like this will help us to build a deeper connect with the customers and also strengthen our social media engagement with them. The highlight this year is that apart from the final winner being selected on votes, Manish would also select another winner at his discretion who would be eligible for a 2 month internship with him in India

To participate in this month long contest the contestants will have to upload pictures of their fashion creations along with a short write up on http://www.facebook.com/airfrance. The contestants can invite their friends to vote for their collection. Each week, the top five collections with maximum votes will qualify to be the weekly winners and out of them one lucky weekly winner will be selected by Manish Arora and awarded with an autographed merchandise by Manish Arora along with an Air France merchandise. The grand winner will be chosen by Manish Arora basis the votes on February 06, 2014 from the top ten selected designs who will take home a free economy class ticket on Air France and witness the Manish Arora show at the coveted Paris Fashion Week scheduled to be held on February 18 - 24, 2014. In addition to this, the most creative contestant as judged purely by Manish Arora will stand a chance to win an economy ticket to Paris accompanied with a free pass for the fashion week show and an exclusive opportunity to intern with Manish Arora for a period of 2 months. So hurry up, let your creative mind do the magic and bring out a beautiful and innovative collection and win a free ticket to Paris from Air France.

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Air France launches Facebook contest with Manish Arora

Shadle Park’s Stanfield Leaves to Become OC at Whitworth

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By Whitworth University Athletics

SPOKANE, Wash. Shadle Park High School head football coach Alan Stanfield has been named the offensive coordinator at Whitworth University. Pirate head coach Rod Sandberg made that announcement this morning.

Stanfield is Sandberg's first official hire as he fills out his staff for the 2014 football season.

"Alan brings a creative and brilliant offensive mind and his offensive success this past year at Shadle Park was staggering," Sandberg said. "But what excites me most about his addition to our staff is his fit for the vision we have for this football program and his fit for the mission of Whitworth University."

Stanfield led the Highlanders to a Greater Spokane League championship and the 3A state semifinals this past season. Shadle Park finished 11-2 overall and 8-1 in the GSL.

The announcement marks a homecoming for Stanfield, who earned his undergraduate degree from Whitworth in 1997 and an Administration Credential in 2006.

"Rod really sold me on his vision for Whitworth football, emphasizing faith, future, family, and fun," Stanfield said. "Our staff at Shadle Park was successful in creating a similar culture of strong relationships, hard work and we had lots of fun in building up that program."

Stanfield spent four years rebuilding the Highlanders into a regional power. After taking over a program that had struggled through seven straight losing seasons, Stanfield led Shadle Park to a state playoff appearance in only his third year. He developed Brett Rypien into a record-setting quarterback and Shadle set multiple GSL passing and receiving records in 2012 and 2013.

Stanfield's football coaching resume extends back several years. He was the head coach at Timberline High School in Boise in 2008 and 2009, leading the Wolves to their first playoff appearance in five seasons in 2008.

Stanfield was the head coach at The Pingry School in Martinsville, N.J. in 2006 and 2007 while his wife Brenna was attending Princeton Theological Seminary. He was an assistant coach at Whitworth in 2004 and 2005, directing the defensive backs. Prior to his previous stint at Whitworth, Stanfield was the head coach at Powder Valley High School (Ore.), leading the Badgers to a state title and 12-0 record in 2003 and a state runner-up finish in 2000.

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Shadle Park's Stanfield Leaves to Become OC at Whitworth

Medicine Hat councillor explains sage grouse legal challenge

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The Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) is speaking out in support of a federal emergency order to restrict oil production in the endangered sage grouse's habitatdespite vows from the City of Medicine Hat to fight it.

In a press release Monday, the group says the emergency order is an essential first step in the bird's recovery andthe federal government is in danger of failing to properly implement the order.

"This is the slowest emergency I have ever seen," said AWAvice-presidentCliff Wallis in the press release.

The group was one of the first togo court to force the federal government to put the protection in place.

"Postponing the emergency order for the protection of the greater sagegrouse, as requested by the City of Medicine Hat andLGXOil and Gas Inc., would delay recovery and be counterproductive."

The City of Medicine Hat is going to court to in an effort to delay implementation of the emergency order, which was announced in early December.It is set to take effect Feb. 18.

Under the order, about 1,700 square kilometres of Crown land in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan will comeunder a set of rules to protect the sage grouse, thought to be down to as few as 90 birds in those provinces.

AWA says only 14 male birds were counted inAlbertain 2013.

The emergency protection order grew out of a 2012 court case brought by several environmental groups to force the federal government to live up to its Species At Risk legislation.

The order forbids the construction of new roads, tall fences or high objects and restricts loud noises during certain times of year which would restrict oil and gas production.

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Medicine Hat councillor explains sage grouse legal challenge

Stanford shares in $540 million gift from Ludwig Cancer Research

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Stanford Report, January 6, 2014

Irving Weissman, director of the Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Medicine at Stanford.

The Stanford University School of Medicine has received $90 million from Ludwig Cancer Research on behalf of its founder, Daniel K. Ludwig, to support the school's innovative work in cancer stem cells, which are believed to drive the growth of many cancers.

Stanford is one of six institutions to share in Ludwig's $540 million contribution to the field of cancer research. Announced today, the gift is one of the largest ever made to the field from an individual donor.

The funding will augment the existing endowment for the Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Medicine at Stanford, established in 2006, where scientists already have discovered some promising therapies that are moving into clinical trials.

"The gift from Ludwig Cancer Research is truly historic," said Stanford President John Hennessy. "Over the years, Ludwig has been a generous supporter of cancer research, and through its support changed the course of cancer treatment. But this extraordinary gift will spur innovation well into the future.Stanford is distinguished for its cancer research and has assembled a 'dream team' of dedicated scientists at the Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Medicine at Stanford. This gift is a tremendous vote of confidence in the work they and their colleagues at other Ludwig Centers are doing and will provide essential support as they pioneer new treatments and therapies."

The Ludwig gift will complement Stanford's Cancer Initiative, a $250 million effort to advance research and improve patient care, said Lloyd Minor, dean of the Stanford School of Medicine.

"We are very grateful to Ludwig Cancer Research for this exceptional gift, which will provide momentum for further discoveries in cancer stem cells and spur the development of new therapies," Minor said. "Together with our Cancer Initiative, it represents an opportunity to truly transform cancer research and treatment."

With his latest gift, Ludwig has now committed $150 million to Stanford. The university's Ludwig Center, the only cancer stem cell center of its kind, is directed by Irving Weissman, the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor for Clinical Investigation in Cancer Research at Stanford.

The first evidence of cancer stem cells was found in acute myeloid leukemia in 1994 by Canadian scientist John Dick. Weissman and his colleagues purified human blood-forming stem cells in 1992 and human leukemia stem cells in 2000 and later identified potential therapeutic targets on them. Since then, Michael Clarke, professor of medicine at Stanford and a Ludwig Center deputy director, isolated cancer stem cells in breast cancer, pancreatic cancers and colorectal cancer, and with Weissman head and neck cancers, bladder cancer, myelomas and other cancers.

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Stanford shares in $540 million gift from Ludwig Cancer Research

Medical School Receives $90 Million Gift For Cancer Research

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Harvard Medical School has received a $90 million gift from Ludwig Cancer Research to spur innovative scientific inquiry and discovery, the school announced in a press release Monday.

This gift provides a momentous opportunity for the entire Harvard Medical School community to glean new insights into the basic biology of cancer as well as to accelerate the translation of basic research to improve patient outcomes, Dean of the Medical School Jeffrey S. Flier said in the press release.

The bequest was made on behalf of deceased American billionaire Daniel K. Ludwig, whose estate provided funding in 2006 to establish six cancer research centersone at the Medical School and one each at Johns Hopkins, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, MIT, Stanford University, and the University of Chicago. Each center received equal shares of the latest $540 million gift, bringing the total endowment of the Ludwig Centers to $900 million.

Since its founding, the Ludwig Center at Harvard has received $60 million from Ludwig Cancer Research to, among other efforts, support an endowment dedicated to novel cancer research endeavors and create endowed professorships at the center. Researchers across the Medical School and its affiliated centers work at the Ludwig Center.

George D. Demetri, who was appointed director of the Ludwig Center at Harvard in 2006, said in an interview with The Crimson that the first iteration of funding from Ludwig Cancer Research has allowed researchers to achieve drug discovery and development at "much more predictable, rapid, efficient and successful" levels than they would have with traditional methods. As an example, he cited the recent three-year approval process of the anticancer drug Stivarga in a climate in which the FDA typically takes as long as 20 years to approve drugs.

"This bigger grant exceeds all our wildest hopes," said Demetri, a professor of medicine and senior vice president for experimental therapeutics at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. "It is one of the largest gifts ever given to Harvard Medical School for anything."

The gift, and the resultant expansion of the research activity at the Ludwig Center at Harvard, also comes with the appointment of a new co-director: Joan S. Brugge, head of the cell biology department at the Medical School.

In an interview with The Crimson, Brugge emphasized the opportunities granted by the Ludwig gift.

"The magnitude of this gift and its permanence offers the opportunity to use the Ludwig gift in unprecedented ways," Brugge said. "One thing is that we can build a critical mass in solving problems since we will be able to use much larger numbers of researchers than through any other grant mechanism program. The grant will also allow more high-risk, high-reward approaches."

Brugge added that the new funds will enable researchers to tackle the growing concern of cancer therapy resistance.

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Medical School Receives $90 Million Gift For Cancer Research

Medical school extension granted with Tobacco Commission

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Posted: Monday, January 6, 2014 4:05 pm

Medical school extension granted with Tobacco Commission

Posted on January 6, 2014

SHORT PUMP, Va. - A proposed Abingdon medical school was given a nod of support Monday by members of the Southwest Economic Development Authority Committee of the Virginia Tobacco Commission.

Committee members voted to extend the Tobacco Commission's contract with the King School of Medicine, which has been conducting business as the Southwest Virginia School of Medicine.

The medical school has received private funding support, interim PresidentTariq Zaidi told the committee. He said promising partnerships with Emory & Henry College, as well as East Tennessee State University and Virginia Highlands Community College, will help the school get off the ground.

Committee members voted to require school officials to present a business plan and detailed financesat the commission's May meeting.

For more information, check back to Tricities.com and read Tuesday's Bristol Herald Courier.

2014 TriCities.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Posted in News, Kudos, Local on Monday, January 6, 2014 4:05 pm.

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Medical school extension granted with Tobacco Commission

Fake medical student fooled close friends

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A man who posed as a medical student for two years went to considerable lengths to avoid being caught out, a University of Auckland investigation has found.

The student attended classes and took part in a number of school activities, including the study of human cadavers, in the 2011/12 academic years, despite failing to gain medical school entry in 2010.

He was found out only when he had to provide his student ID number for a lab assignment.

The university's report into the scam, released on Monday, says the student's "extremely unusual behaviour" started after he attended social events and some classes in early 2011.

"He gave every impression to other students in the classes that he had been offered a place in the programme."

The student didn't have a swipe card for access to many teaching areas, and appeared to have tailgated other students to get in.

He also admitted waiting outside exam rooms to give the impression he was sitting exams, but would slip away when everyone went in.

"His deception was very effective since even those closest to him in the class were unaware that he was not an enrolled medical student," the report said.

The university says there is no evidence he had any one-on-one contact with patients.

It decided not to complain to police because while his deception was unethical, it wasn't likely criminal and he had already suffered the consequences.

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Fake medical student fooled close friends

Malone’s Liberty Global Said Approaching Ziggo Agreement

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Liberty Global Plc (LBTYA) is putting the final touches on an acquisition of Dutch broadband provider Ziggo NV (ZIGGO) as the cable company expands its European operations, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Liberty Global, controlled by U.S. billionaire John Malone, and Ziggo aim to announce a friendly deal as early as the middle of this month, and are hammering out a final acquisition price and other terms, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private negotiations.

Ziggos shares rose 3.6 percent in Amsterdam to 33.77 euros, valuing the company at about 6.75 billion euros ($9.2 billion).

Outstanding issues include determining whether Ziggo Chief Executive Officer Rene Obermann, a former CEO of Deutsche Telekom AG (DTE) who started this month, will stay at the Dutch company if it is bought by Liberty, the people said. Liberty Global already owns about 30 percent of Ziggo, which it has gradually amassed. The companies are also discussing how to protect jobs once Ziggos operations are combined with Liberty Globals existing Dutch unit, UPC, the people said.

Malone, with a net worth of about $7.3 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires index, has built a European cable and broadband empire through acquisitions in countries including the U.K. and Germany, taking advantage of rising demand for high-speed Internet and pay TV.

Ziggos shares rose as much as 2.7 percent in Amsterdam, and traded up 2.3 percent to... Read More

Ziggos shares rose as much as 2.7 percent in Amsterdam, and traded up 2.3 percent to 33.33 euros at 11:37 a.m., valuing the company at about 6.7 billion euros ($9.1 billion). Close

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Ziggos shares rose as much as 2.7 percent in Amsterdam, and traded up 2.3 percent to 33.33 euros at 11:37 a.m., valuing the company at about 6.7 billion euros ($9.1 billion).

Liberty Global last year bought Virgin Media Inc., a U.K. pay-TV provider, for about $16 billion, putting it in head-to-head competition with Rupert Murdochs British Sky Broadcasting (BSY) Plc.

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Malone’s Liberty Global Said Approaching Ziggo Agreement

Sirius’s Shares Climb Above Buyout Offer From Malone’s Liberty

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Sirius XM Holdings Inc. shares climbed above the buyout offer from its majority owner Liberty Media Corp., signaling that investors expect the bidder to sweeten its offer.

Liberty, which already owns about half of the satellite-radio company, made an offer last week valuing the rest at $3.68 a share, or about $10.6 billion. The stock closed at $3.83 today in New York, more than 4 percent higher than the bid by Liberty, an investment company controlled by billionaire John Malone.

The reaction signals that Liberty may face opposition in getting investors to approve the current deal. Greg Maffei, the companys chief executive officer, said last week that Liberty plans to tap the cash of Sirius to potentially finance other transactions, including a possible bid for Time Warner Cable Inc. Liberty is contemplating making a Time Warner Cable deal through another of its holdings, Charter Communications Inc.

Liberty is essentially offering a very low premium, Jim Boyle, managing director at SQAD LLC, an advertising tracking and forecasting firm, said in an e-mail. Theres speculation that the Sirius special committee of independent board members will counter higher.

Siriuss board is forming a committee of directors to consider Libertys proposal. Any deal would be subject to approval by those board members, as well as a majority of the New York-based companys shareholders.

Liberty has proposed creating a new class of stock, called Series C, and offering 0.076 of a share for each Sirius share. The deal would give Sirius a market value of about $23 billion.

Sirius XM will generate more cash for Liberty, Maffei said last week. Its still below its target leverage rate, which we might increase. That could be put toward financing a Time Warner Cable deal.

Charter, meanwhile, is preparing a takeover offer of about $135 a share for Time Warner Cable, people familiar with the situation have said.

The Sirius deal would provide incremental capital for Liberty that would help it avoid being diluted in any deal between Charter and Time Warner Cable, Maffei said. Sirius has generated about $895 million in free cash flow over the past 12 months, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Sirius shares have more than doubled over the past two years, fueled by a recovering auto market. A surge of car sales has increased the number of satellite-radio installations, helping lift Siriuss subscriber count to 25.6 million at the end of September.

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Sirius’s Shares Climb Above Buyout Offer From Malone’s Liberty

Malone’s Liberty Global said approaching deal to buy Ziggo

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FILE -- John Malone of Liberty Global (John Leyba, Denver Post)

Liberty Global PLC is putting the final touches on an acquisition of Dutch broadband provider Ziggo NV as the cable company expands its European operations, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Liberty Global, controlled by Colorado billionaire John Malone, and Ziggo aim to announce a friendly deal as early as the middle of this month, and are hammering out a final acquisition price and other terms, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private negotiations.

Ziggo's shares rose 3.6 percent in Amsterdam to 33.77 euro, valuing the company at about 6.75 billion euro or $9.2 billion.

Outstanding issues include determining whether Ziggo chief executive officer Rene Obermann, a former CEO of Deutsche Telekom AG who started this month, will stay at the Dutch company if it is bought by Liberty, the people said. Liberty Global already owns about 30 percent of Ziggo, which it has gradually amassed. The companies are also discussing how to protect jobs once Ziggo's operations are combined with Liberty Global's existing Dutch unit, UPC, the people said.

Malone has built a European cable and broadband empire through acquisitions in countries including the U.K. and Germany.

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Malone's Liberty Global said approaching deal to buy Ziggo

Nader has some Sirius issues with Liberty bid

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Consumer advocate Ralph Nader said Liberty Media Chairman John Malones offer to buy out the remaining stake in satellite radio company Sirius XM was ludicrous and called for activist investor Carl Icahn to take notice.

Nader, a Sirius shareholder, said on Monday that Libertys $3.68-a-share bid was below the $4 where the company was trading a few weeks ago.

I am sure that I along with other shareholders in Sirius XM will be interested in a legal challenge to John Malones company for lowballing Sirius XMs shareholder value, the 79-year-old consumer crusader said in a statement. Carl Icahn take notice and interest.

It was not immediately clear how many Sirius shares Nader owns. Nor was it clear whether Icahn is a shareholder of the company.

A spokeswoman for Liberty Media did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Liberty Media, which already owns about half of the satellite-radio company, made an offer Friday valuing the rest at $3.68 a share, or about $10.6 billion.

The stock closed at $3.83 today in New York, more than 4 percent higher than the bid by Liberty, an investment company controlled by billionaire John Malone.

The reaction signals that Liberty may face opposition in getting investors to approve the current deal.

Greg Maffei, the companys chief executive officer, said last week that Liberty plans to tap the cash of Sirius to potentially finance other transactions, including a possible bid for Time Warner Cable.

Liberty Media is contemplating making a Time Warner Cable deal through another of its holdings, Charter Communications.

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Nader has some Sirius issues with Liberty bid

Gerson: How the tea party undermines conservatism

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One of the main problems with an unremittingly hostile view of government held by many associated with the tea party, libertarianism and constitutionalism is that it obscures and undermines the social contributions of a truly conservative vision of government.

Politics requires a guiding principle of public action. For popular liberalism, it is often the rule of good intentions: If it sounds good, do it. Social problems can be solved by compassionate, efficient regulation and bureaucratic management which is seldom efficient and invites unintended consequences in complex, unmanageable systems (say, the one-sixth of the U.S. economy devoted to health care). The signal light for government intervention is stuck on green.

Michael Gerson

Gerson writes about politics, religion, foreign policy and global health and development in a twice-a-week column and on the PostPartisan blog.

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For libertarians and their ideological relatives, the guiding principle is the maximization of individual liberty. It is a theory of government consisting mainly of limits and boundaries. The light is almost always red.

Conservatism (as Peter Wehner and I explain in our recent National Affairs essay, A Conservative Vision of Government) offers a different principle of public action though one a bit more difficult to explain than go or stop. In the traditional conservative view, individual liberty is ennobled and ordered within social institutions families, religious communities, neighborhoods, voluntary associations, local governments and nations. The success of individuals is tied to the health of these institutions, which prepare people for the responsible exercise of freedom and the duties of citizenship.

This is a limiting principle: Higher levels of government should show deference to private associations and local institutions. But this is also a guide to appropriate governmental action needed when local and private institutions are enervated or insufficient in scale to achieve the public good.

So conservatism is a governing vision that allows for a yellow light: careful, measured public interventions to encourage the health of civil society. There are no simple rules here. Some communities disproportionately affected by family breakdown, community chaos or damaging economic trends will need more active help. But government should, as the first resort, set the table for private action and private institutions creating a context in which civil society can flourish.

This goal has moral and cultural implications. Government has a necessary (if limited) role in reinforcing the social norms and expectations that make the work of civic institutions both possible and easier. Some forms of liberty say, the freedom to destroy oneself with hard drugs or to exploit other men and women in the sex trade not only degrade human nature but also damage and undermine families and communities and ultimately deprive the nation of competent, self-governing citizens. (The principle applies, more mildly, to softer drugs. By what governing theory did the citizens of Colorado surveying the challenges of global economic competition, educational mediocrity and unhealthy lifestyles decide that the answer is the proliferation of stoners?)

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Gerson: How the tea party undermines conservatism

Michael Gerson: A yellow light for government

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One of the main problems with an unremittingly hostile view of government held by many associated with the tea party, libertarianism and constitutionalism is that it obscures and undermines the social contributions of a truly conservative vision of government.

Politics requires a guiding principle of public action. For popular liberalism, it is often the rule of good intentions: If it sounds good, do it. Social problems can be solved by compassionate, efficient regulation and bureaucratic management which is seldom efficient and invites unintended consequences in complex, unmanageable systems (say, the one-sixth of the U.S. economy devoted to health care). The signal light for government intervention is stuck on green.

For libertarians and their ideological relatives, the guiding principle is the maximization of individual liberty. It is a theory of government consisting mainly of limits and boundaries. The light is almost always red.

Conservatism (as my co-author Peter Wehner and I explain in our recent National Affairs essay, A Conservative Vision of Government") offers a different principle of public action though a bit more difficult to explain than go or stop. In the traditional conservative view, individual liberty is ennobled and ordered within social institutions families, religious communities, neighborhoods, voluntary associations, local governments and nations. The success of individuals is tied to the health of these institutions, which prepare them for the responsible exercise of freedom and the duties of citizenship.

This is a limiting principle: Higher levels of government should show deference to private associations and local institutions. But this is also a guide to appropriate governmental action needed when local and private institutions are enervated or insufficient in scale to achieve the public good.

So conservatism is a governing vision that allows for a yellow light: careful, measured public interventions to encourage the health of civil society. There are no simple rules here. Some communities disproportionately affected by family breakdown, community chaos or damaging economic trends will need more active help. But government should, as the first resort, set the table for private action and private institutions creating a context in which civil society can flourish.

This goal has moral and cultural implications. Government has a necessary (if limited) role in reinforcing the social norms and expectations that make the work of civic institutions both possible and easier. Some forms of liberty say, the freedom to destroy oneself with hard drugs or to exploit other men and women in the sex trade not only degrade human nature but damage and undermine families and communities and ultimately deprive the nation of competent, self-governing citizens. (The principle applies, more mildly, to softer drugs. By what governing theory did the citizens of Colorado surveying the challenges of global economic competition, educational mediocrity and unhealthy lifestyles decide that the answer is the proliferation of stoners?)

But conservatives also need to take seriously the economic implications of this governing vision. Just as citizens must be prepared for the exercise of liberty, individuals must be given the skills and values human capital that will allow them to succeed in a free economy.

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Michael Gerson: A yellow light for government