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Issues & Experts Archive > Week of March 4-11/2002
Week of March 4-11/2002
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Mar 05, 2002
Hope or a slippery slope?…Unable to wait any longer for the federal government to debate its long-awaited, proposed legislation on stem cell research, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has unveiled its guidelines. SFU molecular biologist Bruce Brandhorst says the CIHR, a federal agency that funds academic health related research, was right not to wait any longer. "My impression is that the CIHR felt researchers dependent upon public funding need to have guidance about what research will be allowed, and could wait no longer for the often postponed legislation," says Brandhorst. "I think it has been irresponsible for parliament to have delayed acting on reproductive technology for so long." Critics have warned that allowing scientists to grow potentially life saving stem cells from human embryos would create a slippery slope leading to unethical human cloning.
For an extended comment by Brandhorst on the stem cell debate and human cloning. see SFU News story
Bruce Brandhorst, 604.291.4627/3021; bruce_brandhorst
Violence predicted in Zimbabwe…A split by Commonwealth leaders over sanctions against Zimbabwe in the wake of this week’s presidential election (March 9-10) could lead the country towards new levels of violence. Some experts suggest the organization’s inaction could result in a bloodbath. SFU sociology professor Heribert Adam is in southern Africa and can look at the issues leading up to this week’s vote. "There can’t be a free and fair election in Zimbabwe, because the rule of law, media freedom and free campaigning was abolished, or severely restricted, a long time ago," says Adam, an expert on racism and apartheid. "It’s a shame that democracies, particularly South Africa, squander their moral capital by dithering on human rights abuses by a homophobic and corrupt dictator."
Heribert Adam can be reached by phone at: 27.21.685.6976, or email at heribert_adam
War with a vengeance…As ground fighting in Afghanistan escalates, with Canadian troops becoming involved, the war on terrorism is back with a vengeance says SFU military strategist and historian Andre Gerolymatos,. He notes that the latest military action was launched amid a public perception that the war had slowed down. He can look at reaction to the latest strategy in the fight against terrorists and what’s at stake as the troops battle.
Andre Gerolymatos, 604.291.5597. 604.728.2712 (cell)
Can students solve a crucial fishery debate?… On Monday, March 11, elementary students from Canada, Washington State and Alaska will negotiate common ground for the creation of a tri-lateral Pacific Salmon Treaty — something their elders have not been able to accomplish — when they meet for the Pacific Salmon Summit at the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. About 100 students, some from as far away as Ketchican, Alaska and Prince Rupert, will meet face to face with their counterparts from Vancouver and Seattle to produce a workable solution. Representatives from various stakeholder groups and the governments of the three jurisdictions will attend as observers. The summit is an initiative of 7th Floor Media at SFU (formerly Excite). The day-long event is the culmination of six months of online and classroom activities involving students from each region, says Julie Zilber, co-director of 7th Floor Media. The main discussion (focusing on solutions) runs from 1-4 p.m. Organizers and students can be available for interviews.
Julie Zilber, 604.291.5273; Megan Frazer, 604.291.5285
For an extended comment by Brandhorst on the stem cell debate and human cloning. see SFU News story
Bruce Brandhorst, 604.291.4627/3021; bruce_brandhorst
Violence predicted in Zimbabwe…A split by Commonwealth leaders over sanctions against Zimbabwe in the wake of this week’s presidential election (March 9-10) could lead the country towards new levels of violence. Some experts suggest the organization’s inaction could result in a bloodbath. SFU sociology professor Heribert Adam is in southern Africa and can look at the issues leading up to this week’s vote. "There can’t be a free and fair election in Zimbabwe, because the rule of law, media freedom and free campaigning was abolished, or severely restricted, a long time ago," says Adam, an expert on racism and apartheid. "It’s a shame that democracies, particularly South Africa, squander their moral capital by dithering on human rights abuses by a homophobic and corrupt dictator."
Heribert Adam can be reached by phone at: 27.21.685.6976, or email at heribert_adam
War with a vengeance…As ground fighting in Afghanistan escalates, with Canadian troops becoming involved, the war on terrorism is back with a vengeance says SFU military strategist and historian Andre Gerolymatos,. He notes that the latest military action was launched amid a public perception that the war had slowed down. He can look at reaction to the latest strategy in the fight against terrorists and what’s at stake as the troops battle.
Andre Gerolymatos, 604.291.5597. 604.728.2712 (cell)
Can students solve a crucial fishery debate?… On Monday, March 11, elementary students from Canada, Washington State and Alaska will negotiate common ground for the creation of a tri-lateral Pacific Salmon Treaty — something their elders have not been able to accomplish — when they meet for the Pacific Salmon Summit at the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. About 100 students, some from as far away as Ketchican, Alaska and Prince Rupert, will meet face to face with their counterparts from Vancouver and Seattle to produce a workable solution. Representatives from various stakeholder groups and the governments of the three jurisdictions will attend as observers. The summit is an initiative of 7th Floor Media at SFU (formerly Excite). The day-long event is the culmination of six months of online and classroom activities involving students from each region, says Julie Zilber, co-director of 7th Floor Media. The main discussion (focusing on solutions) runs from 1-4 p.m. Organizers and students can be available for interviews.
Julie Zilber, 604.291.5273; Megan Frazer, 604.291.5285