“THE advent and development of cyberspace is revolutionising our everyday lives. This may become a global challenge and require a global, co-ordinated response. Until now, however, the debate around what form this response should take has been fragmented and lacked focus. This must change. More international consensus is urgently needed. And this needs to be [...]
A recent announcement from IBM that it has now produced prototypes of electronic chips that replicate human brain function has caused something of a stir.
We all want our legal system to be just. We want our citizens to be law abiding. But crime continues; only to have moved with incredible speed into the region of the promised Web of Light that would connect us all in peaceful brotherhood, allow us to share our knowledge, communicate with others when lonely, and to stimulate the global sense of humanity as one family working for a brighter future.
We have become fascinated by the technology that results in ‘touch technology’ that is fast and addictive. All IT instruments are likely to demand the inclusion of this new ability that alters our involvement by changing from pressing buttons to gliding our fingers over a screen. Whether we are more likely to make mistakes is a question to ponder.
Touch screens are definite ‘the IN thing’ and are highly desired and prized.
However, as we have gone beyond need to greed in an ever growing market involving billions of dollars, the problem emerges that ITO is not an unlimited resource. Although still plentiful in China, the worldwide reserves are anticipated to be exhausted by 2020. China is restricting export of its material.
Antony Burgess, Director, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne says…
‘Professor Metcalf is one of the most successful Australian scientists of his time… he has inspired two generations of young scientists and clinicians to undertake the most challenging of medical problems, to compete with the world’s best and to win. Scientists from all over the world recognize his role in the discovery of blood cell growth factors.’
Different sources for statistics are based upon different criteria and this confuses the issue. Accurate global figures for animal testing are both difficult to obtain and to update so the following numbers of animals involved must be allowed as estimates only and considered in that light. They amount to millions the world over. The purposes for which the various classes of animals are used at the present time however are accurate.
Laboratory animals cannot come into the area of sacrificial creatures as are some human volunteers. Literally millions of animals have for a century or more been abused by suffering all manner of trials and indignities, extraordinary surgical operations and to measure levels of toxicity before drugs and methods are applied to human beings.Reforms within the medical profession are occurring and alternatives being found to obviate the necessity for animal abuse and to rely on superior advance in s
The degree of cruelty with animals used in laboratory testing varies. It is often denied but causes distress to many scientists who love animals, perceive their suffering and who feel guilty and responsible for supporting methods of research that inflict injury and pain. But there are fortunately some organizations such as Medical Advances Without Animals (MAWA) that is offering direct assistance in changing things both in the attitude of scientists and in practical alternative scientific method
There have been many scientists and philosophers over the last couple of centuries who have proposed ‘lateral’ ideas about using the abundant wealth of seawater as the source from which we ‘mine’ and withdraw the minerals and elements we need or want. There exist many present day scientists who are interested or intrigued with the idea of finding a technology that would allow commercial practicality and application.
