Will stem cell research lead to cloning?

US President Barack Obama signed an executive order Monday repealing a Bush-era policy that limited federal tax dollars for embryonic stem cell research. By doing so, President Obama gives a clear signal to the scientific community that his administration will be more “liberal” in issues dealing with science and faith.

This great debate about stem cell research has been raging for quite some time and both sides of the aisle have valid arguments in supporting or opposing it. Because stem cells have the potential to turn into any organ or tissue cell in the body (a lego comes to mind), research advocates say it’s possible to find cures to debilitating diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and spinal injuries. On the other hand, those who oppose it argue that because embryonic stem cells involve the destruction of human embryos, it is against the sanctity of human life itself. Moreover, critics are wary that this could be a slippery slope, meaning, after stem cell research, what will come next, cloning?


The topic of human cloning / stem cell research / genetic engineering has been subject of fancy for me for quite some time. It’s fascinating how science has evolved so rapidly especially in recent years (thanks to the Human Genome Project) and that the challenges confronting us now is no longer scientific but moral. Quite simply, it’s no longer whether we can do it but are we willing to do it?

It’s still too early to tell where this recent action from President Obama will lead. At this stage, I’m also not fully convinced which side to take on this one. What I know is that science and religion are set in a collision course. Or maybe it’s actually a convergence. I’m confused.

Man from Manila

It came as a shock for many to learn that the Man from Manila himself, the Master Rapper, Francis Magalona (Francis M. for many), passed away last March 6, 2009. Francis M’s legacy stands tall in the Philippine entertainment scene and indeed in the entire country as he gave nationalism a fresh and renewed flavor. He brought the spirit of “pagkamakabayan” front and center through his songs and his deeds. “Mga Kababayan Ko” was an instant hit when it came out, notwithstanding the fact that it was the first time that “rap” is being introduced locally. In a country where colonial mentality dominates most of the youth’s psyche, being patriotic suddenly became ok, even cool. More to the point, Francis M was all for humanity. His signature song, Kaleidoscope World (which he wrote himself) is a testament of the man’s essence and wisdom.

Francis M, your physical existence might have ceased but your memory and your legacy will stay. You lived your life well and for that, you deserve the admiration of us all. Here’s a reprint of your song. I hope the world over will read this and take to heart its message.


Kaleidoscope World
By: Francis Magalona

So many faces, so many races
Different voices, different choices
Some are mad, while others laugh
Some live alone with no better half
Others grieve while others curse
And others mourn behind a big black hearse
Some are pure and some half-bred
Some are sober and some are wasted
Some are rich because of fate and
Some are poor with no food on their plate
Some stand out while others blend
Some are fat and stout while some are thin
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most

Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin' round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world

Some are great and some are few
Others lie while some tell the truth
Some say poems and some do sing
Others sing through their guitar strings
Some know it all while some act dumb
Let the bassline strum to the bang of the drum
Some can swim while some will sink
And some will find their minds and think
Others walk while others run
You can't talk peace and have a gun
Some are hurt and start to cry
Don't ask me how don't ask me why
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most

Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin' round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world

Michael Jackson is staging a comeback. Please don't.

I heard Michael Jackson is staging a comeback. The 50+ year old “King of Pop” said in a recent press conference that he will do a series of concerts this July 2009 entitled “This is it.” Apparently, the series of concerts will be his final for British audience before his ultimate curtain call. After that, no more, nada, finish. According to some reports, Michael Jackson, whose album “Thriller” is still the best selling album of all time (750 million albums sold, really staggering numbers), has not performed a major concert since 2001. However, for this concert, it could net him a whopping $400 million! Wow!


I saw the press conference over at YouTube and it was barely a press conference as it was a simple Hi-Hello-This is it-Bye kind of thing. Although the world over still loves Michael Jackson (this writer included), clearly, things are not the same anymore. His persona and image is way way larger than the man himself and by doing this “comeback concert”, it might actually just ruin the legend that is Michael Jackson. Sure, the concert will still be a hit, might even be a sold out one but Michael will be doing a great disservice to himself and the millions (billions?) of his fans if his performance so much as lacked the same finesse and “magic” that has made him a world superstar. In entertainment industry, they always says you’re only as good as your last performance and if Michael’s last performance fall short, all the years he has worked so hard for might end up to be just a footnote in his illustrious career. Moreover, if the promoter of this concert bungled on their job and weren’t able to generate as much interest as it should, then that would be the saddest day not only for Michael for all of us who saw a generation defined by Michael Jackson.

So, Michael Jackson, I say to you: Comeback concert? Don’t do it. It will not do you any good. But if you still want to go ahead, this I say: Can I have a ticket? For the rest of you who wants to purchase an advanced ticket, you can go to this site.

Let me know your thoughts. Post a comment