Another Scientist Fired
For Creationist Beliefs
Another scientist has been
forced out of a position in a
secular institution, apparently
because he is a creationist.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion
Laboratory (JPL) fired David
Coppedge earlier this year after
his nearly 14 years of stellar
service — because of
budgetary constraints, they said.
However, Coppedge was the
most senior member of the team
overseeing the computers on
JPL’s Cassini Mission to Saturn.
Coppedge had filed a lawsuit in
which he alleged discrimination
because JPL had tried to
prevent him from discussing
creation-evolution issues with co-
workers.—Creation (July-Sept.,
2011)
Biology Teachers
Avoid Evolution
Some 60% of high school
biology teachers in the United
States are reluctant to endorse
either evolution or creation in
their classes, according to a
recent study. Many teachers
apparently do so in order to
avoid controversy. However,
one in ten biology teachers
advocate teaching creation or
intelligent design in a positive
light.—Answers (July-Sept.,
2011)
For Creationist Beliefs
Another scientist has been
forced out of a position in a
secular institution, apparently
because he is a creationist.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion
Laboratory (JPL) fired David
Coppedge earlier this year after
his nearly 14 years of stellar
service — because of
budgetary constraints, they said.
However, Coppedge was the
most senior member of the team
overseeing the computers on
JPL’s Cassini Mission to Saturn.
Coppedge had filed a lawsuit in
which he alleged discrimination
because JPL had tried to
prevent him from discussing
creation-evolution issues with co-
workers.—Creation (July-Sept.,
2011)
Biology Teachers
Avoid Evolution
Some 60% of high school
biology teachers in the United
States are reluctant to endorse
either evolution or creation in
their classes, according to a
recent study. Many teachers
apparently do so in order to
avoid controversy. However,
one in ten biology teachers
advocate teaching creation or
intelligent design in a positive
light.—Answers (July-Sept.,
2011)
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| News Briefs - October-December - Page 1 |
Mixing Human DNA With
Animal DNA Troubling
Concerned that medical and
ethical boundaries might be
crossed, British scientists want
a new body of experts to
regulate experiments in which
animal and human DNA are
mixed. Controversy erupted
years ago in Britain after
scientists announced plans to
make human embryos with
nuclei removed from cow and
rabbit eggs. Some experiments
that might cause controversy
include human brain cells
injected into animal brains,
human eggs fertilized in
animals and modifying animals
to make them more human.—
(Racine) Journal Times
(7/24/11)
All Genes are Important
Believing fruit flies had evolved
from non-flies, evolutionists had
proposed that “old” genes
(those shared with non-flies)
would be more important than
“new” genes (those only in
flies). But in a study in which
they activated one gene at a
time to find out which ones
were essential they were
surprised all genes seemed
equally important. About one-
third of inactivated genes
caused death.—Creation
(July-Sept., 2011)
Electric Hornets?
The hornet has been found to be
more complex than previously
imagined. Scientists from Tel
Aviv University have
surprisingly discovered that the
Oriental Hornet can actually
generate electricity from the
sun. The yellow and brown
stripes work together in
trapping sunlight and
converting it into electricity.
Scientists are now studying this
insect to find ways of
developing a renewable source
of energy.—Creation (July-
Sept., 2011)
Animal DNA Troubling
Concerned that medical and
ethical boundaries might be
crossed, British scientists want
a new body of experts to
regulate experiments in which
animal and human DNA are
mixed. Controversy erupted
years ago in Britain after
scientists announced plans to
make human embryos with
nuclei removed from cow and
rabbit eggs. Some experiments
that might cause controversy
include human brain cells
injected into animal brains,
human eggs fertilized in
animals and modifying animals
to make them more human.—
(Racine) Journal Times
(7/24/11)
All Genes are Important
Believing fruit flies had evolved
from non-flies, evolutionists had
proposed that “old” genes
(those shared with non-flies)
would be more important than
“new” genes (those only in
flies). But in a study in which
they activated one gene at a
time to find out which ones
were essential they were
surprised all genes seemed
equally important. About one-
third of inactivated genes
caused death.—Creation
(July-Sept., 2011)
Electric Hornets?
The hornet has been found to be
more complex than previously
imagined. Scientists from Tel
Aviv University have
surprisingly discovered that the
Oriental Hornet can actually
generate electricity from the
sun. The yellow and brown
stripes work together in
trapping sunlight and
converting it into electricity.
Scientists are now studying this
insect to find ways of
developing a renewable source
of energy.—Creation (July-
Sept., 2011)
Percent of Children in
Population Declines
Even a boost from immigrant
families has not prevented a
new low in the percentage of
children in the American
population. Data from 2010
show children of immigrants
make up one in four people
under 18, but children still only
make up 24% of the
population, lower than the
previous low of 26% in 1990.
This trend is expected to
continue, which means a
shrinking work force that will
have to support the nation’s
expanding elderly population in
an era where the government
may have to cut pensions and
spending for health care. —
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
(7/13/11)
Placebo Effect Proves
To be Powerful
The placebo effect is known as
a beneficial effect experienced
by a patient who thinks he is
getting a drug but instead is
getting only an inactive
substance (the placebo).
Now, a study of adults with
irritable bowel syndrome has
shown that even patients who
knew they are taking a placebo
benefited from a fake pill
compared to a control group
that was given no treatment.
Published in the journal PloS
One, the study indicated the
placebo group scored
significantly better in several
measures of symptom and well-
being improvement.—Mayo
Clinic Health Letter (June,
2011)
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