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Issues & Experts Archive > Week of September 23-30, 2000
Week of September 23-30, 2000
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Sep 25, 2002
West Nile virus infection a fact of life…The recent death of an elderly man in Ontario from the West Nile virus after being infected in Canada and the confirmation of two other cases of infection in Ontario has health officials worried. They say they are shocked by the speed at which the virus is spreading through mosquito bites in central Canada. Carl Lowenberger, a Canada research chair in the biology of disease vectors at SFU, says, "We now have to accept that we will have a few cases of West Nile virus (WNV) each year, just as we have cases of lyme disease spread by ticks. In my opinion, the confirmed cases are not the full extent of the number of people who have been infected." Lowenberger is an internationally recognized expert on the transmission of insect-borne tropical diseases, such as encephalitis, which is caused by WNV infection. He notes the spread of the WNV is probably much more widespread than currently thought because most people don’t get really sick from it. Lowenberger can expand on how his research on the innate immune response of disease carrying insects could lead to a WNV vaccine.
Carl Lowenberger, 604.291.3985, 604.291.4391, carl_lowenberger@sfu.ca
Open debate urged on immigration…A controversial report by the Fraser Institute is calling for a more comprehensive national debate on Canada’s immigration policy. The report, which has come under some criticism, warns of growing intolerance in major cities and suggests that could potentially lead to race riots. SFU economist Don DeVoretz, who specializes in immigration policy, can look at the impact of the report and the questions it raises. He recently told a conference on immigration held in Beijing that current Canadian immigration legislation, as it relates to China, is "totally inadequate" to withstand the pressures of the predicted growth in temporary immigration.
Don DeVoretz, 604.291.4660; don_devoretz@sfu.ca
Speaking of Science series nets key scientist…David Suzuki will be on campus next week to give a lecture as part of the Speaking of Science series. He’ll be at SFU on Monday, Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m., on the Burnaby campus, room B9200. The talk precedes the airing of his most recent documentary, The Sacred Balance, which will run on CBC television later in October. The documentary is based on a book of the same title and explores Suzuki’s unifying theory of life. In his talk, Suzuki is expected to share his evolution from a research scientist into an advocate for conservation as he unveils his new scientific worldview. Recognized as a world leader in sustainable ecology and known to challenge long-held assumptions, he will focus on his unique perceptions on the interrelated nature of life. (Call 604.291.3060 to reserve a seat.)
Laurie Wood, continuing studies, 604.291.5466
Carl Lowenberger, 604.291.3985, 604.291.4391, carl_lowenberger@sfu.ca
Open debate urged on immigration…A controversial report by the Fraser Institute is calling for a more comprehensive national debate on Canada’s immigration policy. The report, which has come under some criticism, warns of growing intolerance in major cities and suggests that could potentially lead to race riots. SFU economist Don DeVoretz, who specializes in immigration policy, can look at the impact of the report and the questions it raises. He recently told a conference on immigration held in Beijing that current Canadian immigration legislation, as it relates to China, is "totally inadequate" to withstand the pressures of the predicted growth in temporary immigration.
Don DeVoretz, 604.291.4660; don_devoretz@sfu.ca
Speaking of Science series nets key scientist…David Suzuki will be on campus next week to give a lecture as part of the Speaking of Science series. He’ll be at SFU on Monday, Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m., on the Burnaby campus, room B9200. The talk precedes the airing of his most recent documentary, The Sacred Balance, which will run on CBC television later in October. The documentary is based on a book of the same title and explores Suzuki’s unifying theory of life. In his talk, Suzuki is expected to share his evolution from a research scientist into an advocate for conservation as he unveils his new scientific worldview. Recognized as a world leader in sustainable ecology and known to challenge long-held assumptions, he will focus on his unique perceptions on the interrelated nature of life. (Call 604.291.3060 to reserve a seat.)
Laurie Wood, continuing studies, 604.291.5466