Stem Cells That Kill
Time, April 24 2006 (Pg 38)On reading the title, I was shocked as I always had the idea that stem cells were beneficial. This article says otherwise: some stem cells cause cancerous tumours to form. However, as scientists are able to identify this cell, it is the first step to being able to actually isolate it and, in the end, eradicate it. This is a revolution in science as cancer has always been a stumbling block in the medical world, claiming many lives. Should it be possible to cure cancer, this will remove the tragedy in many people's lives.
Though I do not study biology I recognise that this is an important step in improving the lives of people and a way of keeping us healthy. In comparison to embryonic stem cells which have raised many ethical issues pertaining to cloning, this area of stem cell research is for the greater good and does not cause any ethical issuses. In fact, it could spawn new and better kinds of cancer treatment/ cures that could spare cancer patients such treatment like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. There are many great possibilities in this new discovery, and it brings hope to the world as we could be well on our way to defeating cancer once and for all.
**image from
http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/images/stemcell.jpg
Sweet 16 and Spoiled Rotten
Time, April 24 2006 issue (pg 56)It's disguting to see how mere 16 year olds can behave in such a manner. Of course it may be due to the fact that my upbringing contrasts greatly with that of a typical American teenager, but still there is no need for such lavish celebrations that are, in a way, a glorified children's birthday party where the presents and toys are exchanged for money. The age of 16 is meant to mark one's coming of age, i.e. maturity. There is no maturity at all in these excessive parties where they literally let themselves go wild and lose all sense and decorum.
For all their sophistication and advacements, the Americans have a terribly ugly side to their youth. This makes me appreciate the relatively strict and conservative environment I've grown up in here in Singapore. Just reading the article or watching "My Super Sweet 16" is enough to make me feel corrupted...
Govt explains ban on political podcasts
The Straits Times, Saturday April 12 2006 (Pg 3)This is a follow up to the previous post about the banning of political podcasts. I do agree with the idea of banning such things, because after all the government is only trying to have a fair and serious election. Some people might say that the government is being old-fashioned and over-reacting to the situation. I say no, because in retrospect such technology is relatively new to the elections process. I reckon that the government is only easing such technology into the election process as society in general becomes more used to the use of podcasts and such.
Furthermore, such methods of spreading information are very influential because it is very acessible, especially for the more tech-savvy generations. There are a lot of sheep out there who believe in everything they are told. Also, with podcasts you can't really verify the truth. Who knows who to trust for information these days? The government's fear is that there will be slanted propaganda introduced, and this will lead to chaos as they are exaggerated and irrational.
Boy kept mum for 3 years after "body check"
Home, The Straits Times, Tuesday 11 April 2006 (front page)Personally, I am appalled that a teacher would even do such a thing to a student. Of course this isn't the first case but it is still shocking every time. What's worse, the teacher in question is facing a total of 9 molestation charges, shared beds with students and even asked them to massage him. It really makes one wonder at the mental state of this teacher. To be an educator is to be a leader, a guide, an example. It's sad indeed to see how someone with this role could act like this. It seems that some people have no integrity.
It is mentioned in the article that the boy was too afraid to speak up after he went through the "body check". He said he was afraid of how people would see him if he told all. I suppose that this is due to the social stigma that once one has been defiled (in a sense) one is different. Of course this is not saying that he has to go on as if nothing has happened, yet he should not be afraid to tell others because otherwise he would be harming only himself. Perhaps there should be more public awareness of this kind of molestation cases, especially the psychological damage and how to deal with the repurcussions. This way, society would not look down on those who are victims of molesters and perhaps it might be a happier place.
Google and the Future of Privacy
Newsweek, April 2 2006 (Pg 40)We are going to lose our privacy, and I find it quite shocking. Are we willing to sacrifice our privacy for higher standards of living? Although it is quite interesting to see how technology has improved, I think ethics are the most important thing at hand. Especially with the rise of identity thieves nowadays, who can hack into databases and make life worse instead of better as the technology was intended for. Furthermore the companies who will be making use of this technology are the big ones: Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL. Somehow it is uncomfortable knowing that they will have all this information just by watching us. 24/7. Who will we be able to trust? That's what worries me.
Political Podcasts, Videocasts Not Allowed During Election
The Straits Times, April 4 2006 (Pg 1)I think this is a sensible move because there will always be a case of someone using such things to spread negative propaganda. These people are very irresponsible to do so because they are jeopardizing the election by causing people to make decisions based by their force, thus skewing their perspectives and also their ability to vote according to their true wants. Although technology has advanced so fast that we have the luxury of these things, they should not be used to other people's disadvantage.
The PAP's 3 Rs: Retire, Renew, Refresh
The Straits Times, April 1 2006It is good that the PAP has this renewal policy. It is not good to have too little new talent in the party, as when the time comes and the veterans need to step down, there will be nobody ready to replace them at such short notice. Furthermore, new talent means new ideas, and this can help to improve our lives and our country as a whole. To ensure success with new members, they should be inducted early so that they have enough time to learn how to do a good job.
To make room for new members, it is inevitable that older party members must step down, whether they are loved by the public or not. This has proved to be painful and sudden for some, and I am glad that the PAP is taking action and trying to minimize withdrawal symptoms, especially for those most loyal to the party. These people have literally made our country what it is now, and it is the least that can be done for them.
I think that the renewal rate is good as it is, because if party members leave too late you will have the above-mentioned problem. On the other hand if they leave too early and too many new people join, the party will be deprived of the older member's experience. They are needed to train the new members and to be advisers besides fulfilling their existing roles as ministers.
One other problem as stated in the article is the trend of Prime Ministers being appointed later and later. Although there have been only three so far, it is definitely not a good thing. It means that the existing Prime Minister has less time to run the country, as age will catch up with him; he is not able to run the country forever. A new leader will have a different ideology compared to the previous one, and it will definitely take a while for the people to get used to the change. If this trend continues and the people experience various changes over a short period of time it will result in social unrest. One example in history is Russia, where the Communist Party had seven leaders over a period of 74 years (average term of 10.6 years), particularly from 1982-1985 where the party had 2 leaders (average term of 1.5 years), because the second one was too old and died (Andropov was 70). Considering that it takes at least 3 years to train party members to be proficient enough to be full ministers (as stated in the article) that is an alarming rate and should be prevented at all costs.
**image from
here.
Japan Orders Revisions to History Textbooks
The Straits Times, March 10 2006 (Pg 8)There has been plenty of dispute over the controversial content over these textbooks. Although it is not clear as to the exact extent of these alterations, I am glad that at least they are facing up to the truth and doing something about this. The Chinese people who were violently against the textbooks will be thus appeased and this will not worsen Japan-China ties. They are already bad enough as it is, what with previous anti-Japanese protests in China over the approval of the controversial textbooks.
I think it is important that students today should learn the truth about their past, be they from Japan or anywhere else in the world. Even if it is a black mark on the history of the country, it will still be a lesson worth learning for future generations. Also as our world is run on a lot of information, it is vital that the information be accurate, whatever it is.
There is more in the article about Japan PM Koizumi's visits to the Yasukuni war shrine. There has been a lot of conflict about this as well, as both China and South Korea are unhappy about it. They should make it clear once and for all whether these visits are to be considered as personal or official. As Prime Minister, Koizumi represents the whole of Japan and by making it "official", this would seem to others, especially the Chinese, that (as stated in the article) "Japan has not fully repented of its past". He should put the interests of the country first and do what is diplomatically correct for the sake of the country.
**image from
here.
