“President Bush last week signed into law a bill which will see the federal government begin to screen the DNA of all newborn babies in the U.S. within six months, a move critics have described as the first step towards the establishment of a national DNA database.
Described as a “national contingency plan” the justification for the new law S. 1858, known as The Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007, is that it represents preparation for any sort of “public health emergency.”
The bill states that the federal government should “continue to carry out, coordinate, and expand research in newborn screening” and “maintain a central clearinghouse of current information on newborn screening… ensuring that the clearinghouse is available on the Internet and is updated at least quarterly”.
Sections of the bill also make it clear that DNA may be used in genetic experiments and tests.
One health care expert and prominent critic of DNA screening is Twila Brase, president of the Citizens’ Council on Health Care who has written a detailed analysis (PDF) of the new law in which she warns that it represents the first program of populationwide genetic testing.
Brase states that S.1858 and H.R. 3825, the House version of the bill, will:
• Establish a national list of genetic conditions for which newborns and children are to be tested.
• Establish protocols for the linking and sharing of genetic test results nationwide.
• Build surveillance systems for tracking the health status and health outcomes of individuals diagnosed at birth with a genetic defect or trait.
• Use the newborn screening program as an opportunity for government agencies to identify, list, and study “secondary conditions” of individuals and their families.
• Subject citizens to genetic research without their knowledge or consent.
Soon, under this bill, the DNA of all citizens will be housed in government genomic biobanks and considered governmental property for government research,” Brase writes. “The DNA taken at birth from every citizen is essentially owned by the government, and every citizen becomes a potential subject of government-sponsored genetic research.“
“The public is clueless. S. 1858 imposes a federal agenda of DNA databanking and population-wide genetic research. It does not require consent and there are no requirements to fully inform parents about the warehousing of their child’s DNA for the purpose of genetic research. DNA of newborns has already been harvested, tested, stored and experimented with nationwide.”
I am an expecting father, and this concerns me very much. The $100 Genome is right around the corner, and sooner than we think this practice will be common worldwide. I have always been an advocate of science and exploration. The human psyche and intellect are marvels, and when in sync with nature can wield God-Like powers. My highest prayer is that my child will be born into a world of wonder and marvel, and the world is already there and growing. But we must bevigilant that this “Great Flower” of our intellect and culture not get snipped in the bud. The sequencing of the human genome offers miraculous possibilities: personalized medicine, growing body parts, cloning, and many more. All enormously important skills, and only in infant stages compared to what we will develop. But the federal government wanting to own and store all of the worlds DNA brings up crucial questions with dire and monumental implications.
Why are they doing this?
What are they looking for?
Is there no way for a concerned parent to opt out.
Is there no way for us to know what experiments are being done with our childrens DNA. (fill in your wildest and craziest sci-fi conspiracy theory here)
In Aldous HuxleysA Brave New World, humans were grown in test-tubes, having just the right amount of nutrient provided or denied at just the right moment, leading to a race that was genetically bred to enjoy its class status. Workers were dumbed down brutes who enjoyed the hard, mind numb labor, while feeling sorry for their superiors. Leaders were intellectually keen and beautiful, bred for a life of control, and always feeling sorry for their inferiors. Does that not already seem like how the world is? If not in genetic practice, at least in culture and superficiality? My child is the symbol of the promise of the future. Its a promise that time marches on, and new actors enter the stage always. Its a promise that someone will come after me, who will also need clean air and water. Its a promise that someone will come after me who will also laugh and cry. It is a promise that someone will come after me, who will also wander wondering.
Like a drunken giant, The federal government lumbers violently from mishap to bloody mishap, leaving both economy and ecology in grave danger. And now we are supposed to trust the very essence of our descendants with them….. NO. Until the process is much more transparent, and each and every parent has the knowledge and ability to opt out, or remain in control of their childs DNA, NO. Expecting parents, people with newborns, and anyone who ever wants to have a child. THIS CONCERNS YOU! DNA is the very essence of your being and makeup. Its your “sourcecode”. This is the fruition of Eugenics. This is the beginning of A Brave New World. Help Me change this. My Question of the day is: How do we, in a New Non Violent Revolution, approach this problem dynamically and successfully from multiple angles? Leave comments…
I am interested in having guest authors from time to time on The 507 Effect. If anyone has something interesting to say regarding the Universe, Future, Present, or Past, please email me @ cardona507@hotmail.com or leave a comment. Peace.
Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny,
And in this judgement there is no partiality.
So arm in arms, with arms, we’ll fight this little struggle,
‘Cause that’s the only way we can overcome our little trouble.
Brother, you’re right, you’re right,
You’re right, you’re right, you’re so right!
We gon’ fight (we gon’ fight), we’ll have to fight (we gon’ fight),
We gonna fight (we gon’ fight), fight for our rights!
Natty Dread it in-a (Zimbabwe);
Set it up in (Zimbabwe);
Mash it up-a in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Africans a-liberate (Zimbabwe), yeah.
No more internal power struggle;
We come together to overcome the little trouble.
Soon we’ll find out who is the real revolutionary,
‘Cause I don’t want my people to be contrary.
And, brother, you’re right, you’re right,
You’re right, you’re right, you’re so right!
We’ll ‘ave to fight (we gon’ fight), we gonna fight (we gon’ fight)
We’ll ‘ave to fight (we gon’ fight), fighting for our rights!
Mash it up in-a (Zimbabwe);
Natty trash it in-a (Zimbabwe);
Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
I’n'I a-liberate Zimbabwe.
(Brother, you’re right,) you’re right,
You’re right, you’re right, you’re so right!
We gon’ fight (we gon’ fight), we’ll ‘ave to fight (we gon’ fight),
We gonna fight (we gon’ fight), fighting for our rights!
To divide and rule could only tear us apart;
In everyman chest, mm - there beats a heart.
So soon we’ll find out who is the real revolutionaries;
And I don’t want my people to be tricked by mercenaries.
Brother, you’re right, you’re right,
You’re right, you’re right, you’re so right!
We’ll ‘ave to fight (we gon’ fight), we gonna fight (we gon’ fight),
We’ll ‘ave to fight (we gon’ fight), fighting for our rights!
Natty trash it in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Mash it up in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Set it up in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Natty dub it in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe).
Set it up in-a Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Africans a-liberate Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
Every man got a right to decide his own destiny.
Below is this week’s summary of pending state legislation and tips to help you become involved in changing the laws in your state.
Illinois: Senate Bill 2865, which seeks to allow for the therapeutic use of cannabis for qualified patients, awaits action by the full Senate. This bill was recently amended to address concerns voiced by some of the Illinois law enforcement community. Illinois NORML supporters are urged to contact their state senator in support of SB 2865 through NORML’s online advocacy system.
Minnesota: Medical cannabis legislation is anticipated to go before the full House for a floor vote imminently, and if approved there, to the Governor’s desk. This legislation would ensure that medical marijuana patients in Minnesota would no longer have to fear arrest or prosecution from state law enforcement. However, Governor Pawlenty has indicated that he intends to veto this bill if it gets to his desk. You can view an ad urging Governor Pawlenty to rethink his position here. Minnesotans are strongly encouraged to urge their Representatives and the Governor to support these bills via NORML’s online advocacy system.
Hawaii:House Bill 2675, which would establish a legislative medical marijuana task force in Hawaii, is now before the governor. If signed into law, this task force would examine issues regarding adequate supplies of medical marijuana for qualified patients, distinguishing between mature and immature plants under current law, the feasibility of constructing secure growing facilities for medical marijuana patients to use to produce their medicine, and study inter-island travel issues related to medical marijuana. Hawaiian supporters can email their state senators via NORML’s online advocacy system.
Vermont: The Vermont Senate is expected to vote on House Bill 267, which would define industrial hemp as an “agricultural product” and establish regulations for its production by state-licensed farmers. If approved, Vermont will join more than a dozen states that have enacted laws or resolutions endorsing the study and/or production of industrial hemp. Vermont NORML supporters are strongly encouraged to send their state senator a prewritten letter urging passage of HB 267 via NORML’s online advocacy system.
New Hampshire: NORML is disheartened to announce that the New Hampshire Senate has defeated House Bill 1623, which would have decriminalized minor marijuana possession, in a voice vote this week. The Senate vote, which was not unexpected, followed weeks of veto threats from Governor John Lynch. The measure had previously passed the House by a vote of 193 to 141. NORML would like to take this time to thank NORML supporters who contacted their House Representatives in support of HB 1623. Your efforts made a huge difference in persuading the House to pass this vital piece of legislation. To remain involved in cannabis law reform efforts in New Hampshire, please visit: http://nhcommonsense.org.
Thanks to Ron Fisher, NORML Outreach Coordinator for the info.
Humanity and Technology promise many marvels. The power lying dormant at our fingertips is enough to power the world forever, or destroy it in a nuclear fission. The technological promises of tomorrow are even more wondrous and amazing. it seems that humanity, after billions of years of evolution, has reached a break point. A point at which using the powers of its own mind, and the resources of its own planet, we will finally create tools allowing us to leave behind our primitive and violent past, and have abundance for all creation. Already the tech exists for all humans to have electricity and clean water. Already there are enough junk computers and cell phones for everyone on earth to be connected. But the divide is in the profit motive. I understand that people who develop new paradigms want to be compensated. Even more so paradigms that are God-Like. But never before has humanity truly had the opportunity to feed and cloth everyone. Never before has humanity had the chance to make everyone healthy. Never before have we had the chance to explore and colonize the galaxy. This window may be closing rapidly. An oil based society is doomed to collapse. Currently we have an economic and cultural engine unheard of before in history. We are on the launchpad, poised for a Grand Horizon. But already the barbarians are looming on the borders. Already the inmates run the asylum. Half the world — nearly three billion people — live on less than two dollars a day.* The poorest 40 percent of the world’s population accounts for 5 percent of global income. The richest 20 percent accounts for three-quarters of world income.* Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names.* The stats are alarming because we are reaching a point of intelligence explosion. As the gap between poor, uneducated people and enhanced intelligence grows wider, can we trust that there will not be some type of enslavement? Can we trust that smaller more powerful technologies and weapons won’t be used in a host of ways against humanity and our culture? If we navigate this narrow course, and prevent the train from derailing, humanity may be entering a phase where intelligence truly “flowers”, and we come into the great promise that we seem so capable of. There appear to be no other signs of our form of intelligence in the observable Universe, meaning that either we are very very special, or that all societies that reach our level of development destroy themselves, and so we are also destined. How we navigate this course will depend on each and every human. No one can be left out or behind. It the profit motive continues, then people will be left out, and there will be two classes. Those enhanced and those not enhanced. Enhanced humans already exist. If you have a cell phone, use the internet, own a gun. You are enhanced by technology. It is all a matter of degree. If the profit motive disappears, then there is enough for everyone. All of earths resources will be directed at uplifting our minds, and harvesting the best ideas of the world so that we don’t miss this crucial window in time. Everyone on earth will be provided for easily, and instead of the haves and the have nots, there will only be The Haves and The Have Mores.
And many more. The world we live in is changing drastically. It appears that this generation has been given the task to “program” the next epoch of Space/Time. Wielding God like power, we will create an exponential reflection of our intentions and resources. But my question is, Who or What are we Creating?
There’s blood in the water, and the sharks are circling. Why is it that when you mess up in this world, there is always someone there to make money? Why is it that when you are sick, there is always someone there to make money? Why is it that when God touches your heart, there is always someone there to make money? Our worlds belief structure creates a self perpetuating vicious cycle of greed and fear. Everyone alive has had a moment where they were down, whether physically or spiritually. Its what you do when you are down that this is all about. Most people break when they are down. They give up, succumb to control, and admit defeat. They allow their lives and energy to be leached off of by the vampires who set this whole system up. Most people become bitter, dwelling on what could have been, or stewing with envy and rage at someone who threw them off course. They forget that light kills Vampires… To have someone tell you about climbing a mountain is one thing, but to climb the mountain yourself, that is a whole other story. Tribulation brings understanding, and understanding brings true compassion. And The Compassionate ONE is what this world is starving for. The Compassionate ONE drives the sharks and vampires away with the power of thought, voice, and action. The power of inner light. Cry not for yourself, cry for the millions oppressed worldwide. Sing the Song of Their Liberty! Take the fear and greed of the vampires and sharks and let it fire up your will to succeed! For the Greatest Revenge is Success!
Will computers think for themselves? Will humans be able to reprogram our own biology, making us “super human”? Will our kids be born into a world where every item is “smart”. Michio Kaku, another one of my favorite modern philosophers and Great Minds tackles these questions in “Visions of the Future: The Intelligence Revolution“
This video does a great job illustrating the vast changes underway on our world. By 2020 a microchip with the computing power of a modern cellphone will cost about $.01. As this draws nearer, chips will begin to be embedded in everythingtruly leading to the “ubiquity era” with thousands of computers per user. Humans will then (if not already) begin hard-wiring our minds with more processing power and altering our DNA to dramatic results. Humans may no longer be Homo Sapien and may self selectively evolve into Cyber Sapiens.
THE SINGULARITY IS NEAR!
Question of the Day: Do you think humans will achieve this great change in our very essence?
Below is this week’s summary of pending legislation and tips to help you become involved in changing Marijuana laws in your state and at the federal level.
California: In an important victory for medical marijuana patients, the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment approved Assembly Bill 2279, sponsored by Assemblyman Mark Leno, in a 6-2 vote. The measure is now headed to a vote on the Assembly floor. This bill would protect patients from employment discrimination on the basis of their state-licensed medical cannabis use in off-work hours. (The bill exempts workers in safety-sensitive jobs, including law enforcement). California supporters are strongly encouraged to contact their Assemblymembers via NORML’s online advocacy system.
Minnesota: Minnesota’s House Ways and Means Committee has approved Senate File 345, along with its companion bill, House File 655. The measure will now go before the full House for a floor vote, and if approved there, to the Governor’s desk. This legislation would ensure that medical marijuana patients in Minnesota would no longer have to fear arrest or prosecution from state law enforcement. However, Governor Pawlenty has indicated that he is inclined to veto this bill if it gets to his desk. Minnesotans are strongly encouraged to urge their Representatives and the Governor to support these bills via NORML’s online advocacy system.
New Hampshire: House Bill 1623, which would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis, was passed by the House on March 18. The bill is now before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which held a hearing on it on April 22. The committee will likely take action the next time they hear this important measure, so the time to contact your New Hampshire State Senator is now. Additionally, our allies at NH Common Sense are now encouraging supporters to contact Governor John Lynch directly and urge him to rethink his assertion that he will veto HB 1623 if it reaches his desk. New Hampshire supporters are strongly encouraged to urge their Representatives and the Governor to support these bills via NORML’s online advocacy system.
Washington, DC: US Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced legislation in Congress Friday, April 18, to strip the federal government of its authority to arrest responsible adult cannabis consumers. The measure, H.R. 5843, known as an “Act to Remove Federal Penalties for Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults,” is the first federal decriminalization legislation introduced in 24 years. Frank’s pending bill, co-sponsored by presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), seeks to eliminate all federal penalties prohibiting the personal use and possession of up to 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) of marijuana. Under this measure, adults who consume cannabis would no longer face arrest, prison, or even the threat of a civil fine. The bill also eliminates all penalties for the not-for-profit transfers of up to one ounce of pot. All are encouraged to write their representatives in support of this important legislation via NORML’s online advocacy system.
Washington, DC: Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced H.R. 5842, the “Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act,” on Friday, April 18. This bill would make federal authorities respect states’ current laws on medicinal cannabis and end DEA raids on facilities distributing medical marijuana legally under state law. Representative Paul, whose presidential campaign prominently featured the ending of the drug war as a platform plank, was joined by Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), and Sam Farr (D-CA) in co-sponsoring this bill. All NORML supporters are strongly encouraged to write their Representatives in favor of this important bill via NORML’s online advocacy system.
“China has proclaimed itself the world’s largest Internet market, with 221 million Internet users, state media reported Thursday.
With its large population, China made reaching the world’s top mark look easy. China currently has only 16 percent Internet penetration — below the world average of 19.1 percent, and well below the approximately 50 percent penetration in the U.S.”
