Dear Colleagues, This line is of particular interest to me right now since we were just talking about issues such as these in my research methods class. I have had two cousins die as a result of cystic fibrosis and another who just received a double lung transplant and is surviving the disease. I inform my class that some of the biggest breakthroughs in the battle against this disease has come from work (funded with tax dollars from NIH) with oysters. A "science" journalist (or politician) might create a sensational headline by asking why a scientist is getting millions of dollars for studying OYSTERS! I explain to my class that this animal model provides easy access to the types of ciliary cells that are compromised in individuals who suffer from cystic fibrosis. All of a sudden, a light goes on with my students. I hope they'll remember the point in years to come. But here's the $64K question. I found the Slate article concise and convincing. I would like to distribute it in class tomorrow. BUT, I try to avoid partisan politics in the classroom (I know... it's VERY difficult when you're trying to celebrate intelligence). I would appreciate hearing what do y'all think of me using this article in class? -S
On Oct 28, 2008, at 3:11 PM, Dennis Goff wrote: > > Christopher Hitchens also commented on Palin’s view of the value of > scientific inquiry in his latest column in Slate. As usual, he says > exactly what is on his mind. http://www.slate.com/id/2203120/ > > Dennis > > Dennis M. Goff > Chair, Department of Psychology > Professor of Psychology > Randolph College (Founded as Randolph-Macon Woman's College in 1891) > Lynchburg VA 24503 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > From: Christopher D. Green [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 3:39 PM > To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) > Subject: [tips] Defending the Fruit Flies from Sarah Palin :: Inside > Higher Ed > > > There was an item on the Sarah Palin's comment about French fruit fly > research in today's Inside Higher Ed. > http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/10/28/palin > > It includes a quotation on the subject from the always entertaining > blog of evolutionary biologist PZ Myers, Pharyngula: “This idiot > woman, this blind, shortsighted ignoramus, this pretentious clod, > mocks basic research and the international research community. You > damn well better believe that there is research going on in animal > models — what does she expect, that scientists should mutagenize human > mothers and chop up baby brains for this work?” > > Chris > -- > > Christopher D. Green > Department of Psychology > York University > Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 > Canada > > 416-736-2100 ex. 66164 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.yorku.ca/christo/ > ========================== > > --- > > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > > > Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) > ======================================================== Steven M. Specht, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology Chair, Department of Psychology Utica College Utica, NY 13502 (315) 792-3171 "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Martin Luther King Jr. --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
