… and so is stem cell research. Those who know me (and/or read this blog) will know I’d be pleased.
Before the Patterson Bill was passed, I was going to post about how I wonder if the change in Labor leadership will mean anything for science. It may not mean much in terms of votes, but it does give Julia Gillard a bit more attention when she makes her statements as Labor’s health spokesperson:
They are saying surplus eggs from IVF processes and I think that is the best place to start. Obviously there may be future issues about donation but I don’t believe we are there yet and we should see if the supply of surplus eggs from IVF processes is sufficient.
I agree with this. Avoiding egg donation directly from women is definitely to be avoided: Woo-Suk Hwang has taught us that. All the ethics committees in the world can’t stop subtly coercion of junior, female staff. It’s a sad inevitability of humanity. And the risks of egg donation mean that they should only be given freely.
So yes, I’m pleased. In August, I posted about three areas where I think Australia is lagging behind the rest of the developed world. Two out of three of those areas have improved tremendously. Now all we need is a better strategy to slow climate change and we’ll be set. Well, not quite, but we’re on the right track.
Very entertaining.. but try “Finding a job for Julia” which considers her popularist positions on tricky health matters and notes Mark Latham’s candid comments (not in sarcastic mode either)
http://theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20895149-7583,00.html
Thanks for your kind words. I’m the last person to understand or follow the intricate details of politics, or the motives of politicans. But I’ll have to do some more research into the HPV (“cervical cancer”) vaccine.