DAVE HODGES: THE MASS POISONING OF THE PLANET IS TO FULFILL A TRANSHUMANIST AGENDA – Video

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DAVE HODGES: THE MASS POISONING OF THE PLANET IS TO FULFILL A TRANSHUMANIST AGENDA
This is about good as I have heard anyone sum it up. Chemtrails, GMO #39;s, Fukushima, Gulf Oil Spill, are all part of the same agenda to wipe out life on the pl...

By: grindall61

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DAVE HODGES: THE MASS POISONING OF THE PLANET IS TO FULFILL A TRANSHUMANIST AGENDA - Video

What If You Could Live for 10,000 years? Q&A with Transhumanist Zoltan Istvan – Video

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What If You Could Live for 10,000 years? Q A with Transhumanist Zoltan Istvan
"I #39;m not saying let #39;s live forever," says Zoltan Istvan, transhumanist author, philosopher, and political candidate. "I think what we want is the choice to b...

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What If You Could Live for 10,000 years? Q&A with Transhumanist Zoltan Istvan - Video

Human Genetic Enhancements – A Transhumanist Perspective

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1. What is Transhumanism?

Transhumanism is a loosely defined movement that has developed gradually over the past two decades. It promotes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and evaluating the opportunities for enhancing the human condition and the human organism opened up by the advancement of technology. Attention is given to both present technologies, like genetic engineering and information technology, and anticipated future ones, such as molecular nanotechnology and artificial intelligence.1

The enhancement options being discussed include radical extension of human health-span, eradication of disease, elimination of unnecessary suffering, and augmentation of human intellectual, physical, and emotional capacities.2 Other transhumanist themes include space colonization and the possibility of creating superintelligent machines, along with other potential developments that could profoundly alter the human condition. The ambit is not limited to gadgets and medicine, but encompasses also economic, social, institutional designs, cultural development, and psychological skills and techniques.

Transhumanists view human nature as a work-in-progress, a half-baked beginning that we can learn to remold in desirable ways. Current humanity need not be the endpoint of evolution. Transhumanists hope that by responsible use of science, technology, and other rational means we shall eventually manage to become post-human, beings with vastly greater capacities than present human beings have.

Some transhumanists take active steps to increase the probability that they personally will survive long enough to become post-human, for example by choosing a healthy lifestyle or by making provisions for having themselves cryonically suspended in case of de-animation.3 In contrast to many other ethical outlooks, which in practice often reflect a reactionary attitude to new technologies, the transhumanist view is guided by an evolving vision to take a more active approach to technology policy. This vision, in broad strokes, is to create the opportunity to live much longer and healthier lives, to enhance our memory and other intellectual faculties, to refine our emotional experiences and increase our subjective sense of well-being, and generally to achieve a greater degree of control over our own lives. This affirmation of human potential is offered as an alternative to customary injunctions against playing God, messing with nature, tampering with our human essence, or displaying punishable hubris.

Transhumanism does not entail technological optimism. While future technological capabilities carry immense potential for beneficial deployments, they also could be misused to cause enormous harm, ranging all the way to the extreme possibility of intelligent life becoming extinct. Other potential negative outcomes include widening social inequalities or a gradual erosion of the hard-to-quantify assets that we care deeply about but tend to neglect in our daily struggle for material gain, such as meaningful human relationships and ecological diversity. Such risks must be taken very seriously, as thoughtful transhumanists fully acknowledge.4

Transhumanism has roots in secular humanist thinking, yet is more radical in that it promotes not only traditional means of improving human nature, such as education and cultural refinement, but also direct application of medicine and technology to overcome some of our basic biological limits.

2. A Core Transhumanist Value: Exploring the Post-human Realm

The range of thoughts, feelings, experiences, and activities that are accessible to human organisms presumably constitute only a tiny part of what is possible. There is no reason to think that the human mode of being is any more free of limitations imposed by our biological nature than are the modes of being of other animals. Just as chimpanzees lack the brainpower to understand what it is like to be human, so too do we lack the practical ability to form a realistic intuitive understanding of what it would be like to be post-human.

This point is distinct from any principled claims about impossibility. We need not assert that post-humans would not be Turing computable or that their concepts could not be expressed by any finite sentences in human language. The impossibility is more like the impossibility for us to visualize a twenty-dimensional hypersphere or to read, with perfect recollection and understanding, every book in the Library of Congress. Our own current mode of being, therefore, spans but a minute subspace of what is possible or permitted by the physical constraints of the universe. It is not farfetched to suppose that there are parts of this larger space that represent extremely valuable ways of living, feeling, and thinking.

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Human Genetic Enhancements - A Transhumanist Perspective

Human Genetic Engineering – Leadership University

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What forms of genetic engineering can be done in human beings? Genetic technology harbors the potential to change the human species forever. The soon to be completed Human Genome Project will empower genetic scientists with a human biological instruction book. The genes in all our cells contain the code for proteins that provide the structure and function to all our tissues and organs. Knowing this complete code will open new horizons for treating and perhaps curing diseases that have remained mysteries for millennia. But along with the commendable and compassionate use of genetic technology comes the specter of both shadowy purposes and malevolent aims.

For some, the potential for misuse is reason enough for closing the door completely--the benefits just aren't worth the risks. In this article, I'd like to explore the application of genetic technology to human beings and apply biblical wisdom to the eventual ethical quagmires that are not very far away. In this section we'll investigate the various ways humans can be engineered.

Since we have introduced foreign genes into the embryos of mice, cows, sheep, and pigs for years, there's no technological reason to suggest that it can't be done in humans too. Currently, there are two ways of pursuing gene transfer. One is simply to attempt to alleviate the symptoms of a genetic disease. This entails gene therapy, attempting to transfer the normal gene into only those tissues most affected by the disease. For instance, bronchial infections are the major cause of early death for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The lungs of CF patients produce thick mucus that provides a great growth medium for bacteria and viruses. If the normal gene can be inserted in to the cells of the lungs, perhaps both the quality and quantity of their life can be enhanced. But this is not a complete cure and they will still pass the CF gene on to their children.

In order to cure a genetic illness, the defective gene must be replaced throughout the body. If the genetic defect is detected in an early embryo, it's possible to add the gene at this stage, allowing the normal gene to be present in all tissues including reproductive tissues. This technique has been used to add foreign genes to mice, sheep, pigs, and cows.

However, at present, no laboratory is known to be attempting this well-developed technology in humans. Princeton molecular biologist Lee Silver offers two reasons.{1} First, even in animals, it only works 50% of the time. Second, even when successful, about 5% of the time, the new gene gets placed in the middle of an existing gene, creating a new mutation. Currently these odds are not acceptable to scientists and especially potential clients hoping for genetic engineering of their offspring. But these are only problems of technique. It's reasonable to assume that these difficulties can be overcome with further research.

The primary use for human genetic engineering concerns the curing of genetic disease. But even this should be approached cautiously. Certainly within a Christian worldview, relieving suffering wherever possible is to walk in Jesus' footsteps. But what diseases? How far should our ability to interfere in life be allowed to go? So far gene therapy is primarily tested for debilitating and ultimately fatal diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

The first gene therapy trial in humans corrected a life-threatening immune disorder in a two-year-old girl who, now ten years later, is doing well. The gene therapy required dozens of applications but has saved the family from a $60,000 per year bill for necessary drug treatment without the gene therapy.{2} Recently, sixteen heart disease patients, who were literally waiting for death, received a solution containing copies of a gene that triggers blood vessel growth by injection straight into the heart. By growing new blood vessels around clogged arteries, all sixteen showed improvement and six were completely relieved of pain.

In each of these cases, gene therapy was performed as a last resort for a fatal condition. This seems to easily fall within the medical boundaries of seeking to cure while at the same time causing no harm. The problem will arise when gene therapy will be sought to alleviate a condition that is less than life-threatening and perhaps considered by some to simply be one of life's inconveniences, such as a gene that may offer resistance to AIDS or may enhance memory. Such genes are known now and many are suggesting that these goals will and should be available for gene therapy.

The most troublesome aspect of gene therapy has been determining the best method of delivering the gene to the right cells and enticing them to incorporate the gene into the cell's chromosomes. Most researchers have used crippled forms of viruses that naturally incorporate their genes into cells. The entire field of gene therapy was dealt a severe setback in September 1999 upon the death of Jesse Gelsinger who had undergone gene therapy for an inherited enzyme deficiency at the University of Pennsylvania.{3} Jesse apparently suffered a severe immune reaction and died four days after being injected with the engineered virus.

The same virus vector had been used safely in thousands of other trials, but in this case, after releasing stacks of clinical data and answering questions for two days, the researchers didn't fully understand what had gone wrong.{4} Other institutions were also found to have failed to file immediate reports as required of serious adverse events in their trials, prompting a congressional review.{5} All this should indicate that the answers to the technical problems of gene therapy have not been answered and progress will be slowed as guidelines and reporting procedures are studied and reevaluated.

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Human Genetic Engineering - Leadership University

Human Genetic Engineering – Buzzle

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Human genetic engineering is about genetically engineering human beings by modifying their genotypes before birth. The Genotype is the genetic constitution of an individual with respect to a particular character under consideration. This is done to control the traits possessed by the individual after his/her birth.

The cells of our body contain encoded information about the body's growth, structure and functioning in the form of genes. Human genetic engineering aims at decoding this information and applying it to the welfare of mankind.

There are two types of genetic engineering. They are:

In human genetic engineering, the genes or the DNA of a person are changed. This can be used to bring about structural changes in human beings. More importantly, it can be used to introduce the genes for certain positive and desirable traits in embryos. Genetic engineering in humans can result in finding a permanent cure for many diseases.

There are people with certain exceptional qualities. If the genes responsible for these qualities can be identified, they can be implanted in the early embryos. This can lead to something like 'personalized babies'! Human genetic engineering might progress to such an extent that it will be possible to discover new genes and embed them into unborn babies.

The Lighter Side Gene therapy is one of the most important benefits of human genetic engineering. Over the past decade, gene therapy has succeeded in finding treatments for certain heart diseases. Researchers hope to find cures for all the genetic diseases. This will result in a healthier and more evolved human race.

A future benefit of human genetic engineering is that a fetus with a genetic disorder will be treated before the baby is born. Parents will be able to look forward to a healthy baby. In case of in-vitro fertilization, gene therapy can be used for embryos before they are implanted into the mother.

Genes can be cloned to produce pharmaceutical products of superior quality. Researchers are hopeful about being able to bio-engineer plants or fruits to contain certain drugs.

The Darker Side Firstly, while it seems easy to cure diseases by genetic modifications, gene therapy may manifest side effects. While treating one defect, it may cause another. Any given cell is responsible for many activities and manipulating its genes may not be that easy.

The process of cloning can lead to risking the fundamental factors such as the individuality and the diversity of human beings. Ironically, man will become just another man-made thing!

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Human Genetic Engineering - Buzzle

Benefits of Human Genetic Engineering – Popular Issues …

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What are the benefits of human genetic engineering?

The benefits of human genetic engineering can be found in the headlines nearly every day. With the successful cloning of mammals and the completion of the Human Genome Project, scientists all over the world are aggressively researching the many different facets of human genetic engineering. These continuing breakthroughs have allowed science to more deeply understand DNA and its role in medicine, pharmacology, reproductive technology, and countless other fields.

The most promising benefit of human genetic engineering is gene therapy. Gene therapy is the medical treatment of a disease by repairing or replacing defective genes or introducing therapeutic genes to fight the disease. Over the past ten years, certain autoimmune diseases and heart disease have been treated with gene therapy. Many diseases, such as Huntington's disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), and cystic fibrosis are caused by a defective gene. The hope is that soon, through genetic engineering, a cure can be found for these diseases by either inserting a corrected gene, modifying the defective gene, or even performing genetic surgery. Eventually the hope is to completely eliminate certain genetic diseases as well as treat non-genetic diseases with an appropriate gene therapy.

Currently, many pregnant women elect to have their fetuses screened for genetic defects. The results of these screenings can allow the parents and their physician to prepare for the arrival of a child who may have special needs before, during, and after delivery. One possible future benefit of human genetic engineering is that, with gene therapy, a fetus w/ a genetic defect could be treated and even cured before it is born. There is also current research into gene therapy for embryos before they are implanted into the mother through in-vitro fertilization.

Another benefit of genetic engineering is the creation pharmaceutical products that are superior to their predecessors. These new pharmaceuticals are created through cloning certain genes. Currently on the market are bio-engineered insulin (which was previously obtained from sheep or cows) and human growth hormone (which in the past was obtained from cadavers) as well as bio-engineered hormones and blood clotting factors. The hope in the future is to be able to create plants or fruits that contain a certain drug by manipulating their genes in the laboratory.

The field of human genetic engineering is growing and changing at a tremendous pace. With these changes come several benefits and risks. These benefits and risks must be weighed in light of their moral, spiritual, legal, and ethical perspectives. The potential power of human genetic engineering comes with great responsibility.

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Benefits of Human Genetic Engineering - Popular Issues ...

$40.5M science building opens at Mesa College

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Story Published: Feb 11, 2015 at 4:00 PM PST

Story Updated: Feb 12, 2015 at 9:16 AM PST

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A $40.5 million, three-story classroom building opened Wednesday at San Diego Mesa College for social and behavioral science courses.

The nearly 74,000-square-foot structure, funded by the San Diego Community College District's $1.6 billion in construction bonds, is one of several new facilities to open in the last several years at Mesa, City and Miramar colleges.

"It is inspiring to watch the transformation of Mesa College ... As they have with the opening of each new building, the students have taken over the Social and Behavioral Sciences Building and made it their own," said college President Pamela Luster.

"To watch the interaction between faculty and students, and to see the true educational benefits that these facilities bring, underscores the return on investment that the voters of San Diego have made to education and to Mesa College," she said.

In addition to classrooms, the building provides laboratory space for the psychology, anthropology and geography programs.

The two bonds, one approved by voters in 2002 and the other in 2006, have also provided the Kearny Mesa campus with a health facility, a 45,000-square-foot humanities building and a 206,000-square-foot math and science complex. A new commons and an exercise science building are under construction.

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$40.5M science building opens at Mesa College

Addiction and Mental Health Specialists to Speak at First Elements Behavioral Health Symposium for 2015

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Austin, TX (PRWEB) February 12, 2015

Four distinguished addiction and mental health experts will speak at the first Elements Behavioral Health symposium for 2015, The Relationship of Complex Trauma to Intimacy, Disordered Eating, and Addiction, to be held in Austin on Friday, Feb. 20 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.

The symposium takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Registration is from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., with welcome and orientation from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The schedule is as follows:

From 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Robert Weiss, LCSW, CSAT-S, an international expert in sex and intimacy disorders and senior vice president of clinical development for Elements Behavioral Health, presents Sexual Evolution: Love and Sex Reformatted for the Digital Age or How We Got from Spin-the-Bottle to Sexting in a Single Generation. Participants will have the opportunity to look at the changing digital face of human intimacy and sexuality.

Relationships, dating, marital fidelity and sexual norms are rapidly changing with todays digital technology, says Weiss. Its a game-changer, and everyone parents, employers, clinicians and spouses needs to know the online trends and challenges showing up in the digital world and how to effectively handle them.

Dr. Pamela Peeke, senior science adviser for Elements Behavioral Health, will present Food Addiction and Recovery: A New Approach to Healing the Body-Mind, from 10:45 to 12:15 p.m. Well look at new research on transfer addictions from substances to sugary/fatty/salty foods and how addictive eating behaviors can co-occur with mood and binge eating disorders, says Dr. Peeke. Well also provide valuable tools for assessment and an integrated nutrition and lifestyle plan clinicians can use to help guide their clients.

Dr. Peeke also headlines a case study luncheon from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

From 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Dr. Jason Powers, chief medical officer for the Promises Austin and The Right Step programs, will present Post Traumatic Growth Phoenix Experiences. While many do, not everyone who experiences trauma develops post-traumatic stress disorder. Some people bounce back from tragedy, a phenomenon known as Post Traumatic Growth or bouncing up. By teaching people to apply certain strategies, we can help them increase resilience so that the trauma they experience leads to positive personal transformative growth rather than post-traumatic stress disorder, says Dr. Powers.

The days final presentation is from Dr. Christine Courtois, national clinical trauma consultant for Elements Behavioral Health, Promises Malibu and Brightwater LandingSM, who will present Treatment of Complex Trauma: A Sequenced, Relationship Based Approach. Evidence-based treatment strategies will be discussed, along with recommendations from PTSD treatment guidelines.

While the treatment of complex trauma is challenging and multifaceted, healing from its effects is very possible, says Dr. Courtois. Treatment begins with an emphasis on safety and the development of specific self-management skills to de-condition post-traumatic body-mind reactions, including addictions. The treatment relationship is a major foundation for addressing the personal and relational impact of complex trauma. Treatment progresses to the processing of the trauma to a point of resolution, followed by directed attention to life after trauma and ways to live a satisfying life worth living.

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Addiction and Mental Health Specialists to Speak at First Elements Behavioral Health Symposium for 2015

Mesa College open multi- million dollar classroom building

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SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A $40.5 million, three-story classroom building opened at San Diego Mesa College Wednesday for social and behavioral science courses.

The nearly 74,000-square-foot structure, funded by the San Diego Community College District's $1.6 billion in construction bonds, is one of several new facilities to open in the last several years at Mesa, City and Miramar colleges.

"It is inspiring to watch the transformation of Mesa College ... As they have with the opening of each new building, the students have taken over the Social and Behavioral Sciences Building and made it their own," said college President Pamela Luster.

"To watch the interaction between faculty and students, and to see the true educational benefits that these facilities bring, underscores the return on investment that the voters of San Diego have made to education and to Mesa College," she said.

In addition to classrooms, the building provides laboratory space for the psychology, anthropology and geography programs.

The two bonds, one approved by voters in 2002 and the other in 2006, have also provided the Kearny Mesa campus with a health facility, a 45,000-square-foot humanities building and a 206,000-square-foot math and science complex. A new commons and an exercise science building are under construction.

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Mesa College open multi- million dollar classroom building

NATO Secretary General – North Atlantic Council, Defence Ministers Meeting, 05 FEB 2015 – Video

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NATO Secretary General - North Atlantic Council, Defence Ministers Meeting, 05 FEB 2015
Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the North Atlantic Council meeting in Defence Ministers #39; session, 05 February 2015.

By: NATO

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NATO Secretary General - North Atlantic Council, Defence Ministers Meeting, 05 FEB 2015 - Video