Christmas Blessings

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be
upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Best wishes to all for a very blessed Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2006!

New Discovery May End Stem Cell Debate

According to news reports, recent research conducted by scientists at the University of Louisville has yielded the discovery of a new line of adult stem cells. In research conducted on mice, the scientists have found lines of adult stem cells that can change into brain and heart muscle cells, among others. As Steven Ertelt of LifeNews.com writes,

The discovery could greatly expand the dozens of therapies and treatments already available from adult stem cells and the researcher say it could end the entire stem cell research debate.

"We have found a counterpart for embryonic stem cells in adult bone marrow. This could negate the ethical concerns," said Mariusz Ratajczak, leader of the research team and director of the stem cell biology program at the university's James Graham Brown Cancer Center.

For a direct link to the article in its entirety, click here.

This report comes on the heels of an admission by a South Korean researcher that he and his peers--all of whom had been working on an embryonic stem cell research project--had conjured most of the information contained in their recent publication in a leading medical journal.

Roh Sung-il, a co-author of the paper, told South Korean media networks that "Professor Hwang admitted to fabrication" and added that he, Hwang and another member of the research team have asked Science to withdraw the paper.

Click here to read the whole article, also by Steven Ertelt of LifeNews.com.

So far, embryonic stem cell research has shown little-to-no promise, while adult stem cell and umbilical cord blood research is continually moving science forward. Those who favor continuing on with embryonic stem cell research are apparently becoming desperate to show some sort of substantive progress in their field. Now that they've resorted to fabricating papers for publication, it's well beyond time to pull the plug on the clone-and-kill research.

SD Task Force to Study Abortion

I've never seen anything so funny as that which appeared today (12/14/05) on the Dakota War College weblog. It is one person's summation of the waning moments of the final meeting (Dec. 9, 2005) of the South Dakota Task Force to Study Abortion. Certainly, the Commission's final meeting was anything but a comedy for those individuals involved. Nonetheless, this response to the seemingly well-choreographed sympathy walk by some of the task force members, as well as those in the audience who shared their position, is certainly worth a look.

Stay tuned for more to come.

Nick Cannon's Big Bang

I've discussed this before, but that was long before I knew the details I have come to learn. Nick Cannon has a rock-solid pro-life rap video (click for the direct link to the video) that is based on a true story.....that of his mother who was facing a crisis pregnancy back in 1979.

For those who don't know, Nick Cannon is getting to be a pretty huge in the entertainment world. He's appeared in such movies as Drumline, Love Don't Cost a Thing, and, most recently, Underclassman. Cannon has also worked as the executive producer of his own show, The Nick Cannon Show. Among the people he has worked closely with is Will Smith, who is said to have been his mentor.

Not bad, huh? And to think, for around merely $300, Nick.....or you.....or I.....could have been wiped out forever. The video is profound, and has left some folks more than a bit misty-eyed. The final scene is especially touching. As stated on LifeSite.net,

The video closes with Cannon hugging his present-day mother saying "I am just telling ya'll my story/ I love my life / I love my mother for giving me life / We all need to appreciate life/ A strong women that had to make a sacrifice / Thanks for listening… / Mama thanks for listening.

It goes on to say,

One woman recounted how his video confirmed her in her last minute decision not to have an abortion.

Check it out. It might just make you decide to call your mother and thank her for choosing life. In Nick Cannon's case, I have a hunch it is now apparent to his mother that her decision is paying off in spades.