Click here to RSVP for AirTalk's live discussion on immigration reform at 6:30 PM on Wednesday
Click here to RSVP for AirTalk's live discussion on immigration reform at 6:30 PM on Wednesday
Developments in stem cell research can now treat Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, and more. But does this development lead to the ability to clone humans? Then, former member of the Department of State Richard Haass encourages America to look at domestic issues instead of foreign ones. Also, it's Filmweek on AirTalk and our critics review the new Star Trek movie, and we'll discuss the Star Trek legacy. Click here to RSVP for AirTalk's live discussion on immigration reform at 6:30 PM on Wednesday
The ethics of cloning human embryos
For the first time, researchers have successfully cloned human embryonic stem cells that could be used to treat diseases ranging from Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s to diabetes. More importantly perhaps, the breakthrough shows that it may be scientifically possible for humans to clone themselves.
The method used is called somatic cell nuclear transfer—the same process that was employed to create Dolly the sheep. In this case, the Oregon scientists took an egg donated by a woman, emptied out all of its genetic material, then injected a patient’s skin cell into it to produce a wide variety of stem cells. The experiment, funded by Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and a grant from Leducq Foundation of France, was published online in the journal Cell.
Shoukhrat Mitalipov, a cell biologist at OHSU that headed the study, said the focus of the research is on advancing therapeutic cloning, and not on cloning a human. "Our research is directed toward generating stem cells for use in future treatments to combat disease," Mitalipov said. "
While nuclear transfer breakthroughs often lead to a public discussion about the ethics of human cloning, this is not our focus, nor do we believe our findings might be used by others to advance the possibility of human reproductive cloning." But this breakthrough has reinvigorated debate over the ethics of human cloning.
Guests:
Bernard Siegel, Executive Director of the Genetics Policy Institute (GPI)
Dr. Dan Sulmasy, a professor of medicine & ethics at the University of Chicago
Is the best foreign policy for America today a strong domestic agenda?
At a time when world crises have been dominating the agenda -- Syria's civil war, North Korea's nuclear threats, turbulence after the so-called Arab Spring --, a top foreign policy thinker is calling on Americans to focus on our domestic agenda. Richard Haass, head of the influential Council on Foreign Relations, has written a new book arguing that, for now, "Foreign Policy Begins at Home."
Guest:
Richard Haass, Author, “Foreign Policy Begins at Home;” President, Council on Foreign Relations; From January 2001 to June 2003, Haass was director of policy planning for the Department of State, where he was a principal adviser to Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Filmweek: Star Trek Into Darkness, What Maisie Knew, Erased and more
Larry and KPCC critics Claudia Puig and Peter Rainer review this week’s releases, including Star Trek Into Darkness, The English Teacher, What Maisie Knew and more. TGI-FilmWeek!
Star Trek Into Darkness
What Maisie Knew
Erased
Guests:
Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and USA Today
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Can the new Star Trek film replace the classics?
Star Trek fans don’t have to wait any longer for the newest installment of the sci-fi series. Star Trek: Into Darkness opened nationwide on Thursday and it’s getting mostly positive reviews from critics and fans. The $190 million budget and cutting edge special effects are a far cry from the original low-tech Star Trek series but fans have not abandoned the original show.
What have been the most memorable story lines in the Star Trek franchise? What are your favorite Star Trek episodes or films? What characters best encapsulate the characters? How do the new films compare to the older series and movies?
Guest:
Larry Nemecek, Star Trek historian and author of author of Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion