George Dvorsky’s July IEET article “The End of Science My Ass” counters the idea put forth in several publications that breakthroughs in basic science are hitting the wall. I would like to elaborate on two major points that George made. First, based on only a partial snapshot of the most important breakthroughs included in Dvorsky’s list, he concludes the rate of scientific breakthroughs is slowing down. This needs to be understood in the context of cycles in Kuhnian revolutions. Second, the main argument both Horgan and Masood were setting out to support is that ultimately revolutions in science, not scientific breakthroughs are reaching their limits.

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In Defense of Patenting DNA: A Pragmatic Libertarian Perspective

Although biotechnology patents existed prior to the 1980s as the biotechnology era officially began, they soon became a divisive public policy issue. Perhaps a culture war issue is more appropriate as the free market approach of using DNA patents in biomedical research is under fire from strange bedfellows, a bioconservative-technoprogressive axis. The bioconservative criticisms are on moral grounds and the technoprogressive criticisms for economic reasons based on values.

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Jul 2, 2009 • Life > Implants > Fellows > Randall Mayes

Don’t become a Cyborg by Accident (literally) - It can be Fatal

by Randall Mayes

Imagine these hypothetical situations; you are injured and lying on the battlefield or are involved in a serious automobile accident and require a blood transfusion. What are the medical treatment options in these scenarios?

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Jun 20, 2009 • Security > Rights > Privacy > Life > Innovation > Fellows > Randall Mayes

Do We have a Right to DNA Evidence in Trials?

by Randall Mayes

Although the fruits of genomics have yet to materialize for curing diseases, the science community does have a better understanding of how complex diseases and evolution work. In addition, genomics has a useful by-product, a tool used by forensic detectives. Using PCR, a fast and inexpensive technology for making copies of DNA, extremely small samples from blood stains, semen, hair follicles, saliva, and skin are used for DNA evidence.

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Jun 15, 2009 • Rights > Economic > Life > Access > Innovation > Fellows > Randall Mayes

Can Synthetic Biology Cure Bad Air? (It’s not what you think)

by Randall Mayes

Treatments for some of the world’s biggest killers, such as malaria, can’t earn enough profits for pharmaceutical companies to attract research investments. The people they kill are just too poor to be worth the investment. Fortunately scientist-activists are attempting to find ways to support vital research through the non-profit sector.

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Jun 7, 2009 • Security > Biosecurity > Life > Innovation > Fellows > Randall Mayes

Openness and Biosecurity: Can They Co-exist?

by Randall Mayes

Our growing ability to decode and re-encode genomes has enabled rapid responses to emerging diseases, but also potentially empowers would-be bio-terrorists. It is urgent that we develop national and international policies to regulate this dual use technology to ensure its benefits and minimize its risks.

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Jan 16, 2009 • Fellows > Natasha Vita-More > Peter Bebergal > Randall Mayes

Welcome to Three New Fellows

The IEET is very pleased to welcome three new fellows, Peter Bebergal, Randall Mayes and Natasha Vita-More.

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