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A Different Reason for
Worrying About Stem Cell Research
By Christopher R.L.
Blake, chair of education department and director of
teacher education of Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg,
Maryland
Matrix Magazine,
October 2001
Christopher Blake argues for
the central role of liberal learning even in the field
of biotechnology. He notes that too many U.S. college
and university leaders are being sidelined in the role
of developing policies to govern biotechnology. "It
is inconceivable to think that the challenges of the
21st century can be addressed without the full leadership
of the university's real capital, which is knowledge
and not trust funds," he writes.
Citing President George W.
Bush's decision on stem cell research as an example,
Blake writes, "We are told that President Bush
agonized long and hard, taking advice from his advisors
before he arrived at his funding decision on stem cell
research. With all due respect, that really isn't good
enough." The timing is crucial, Blake writes, for
the academy's "breadth of knowledge" to be
consulted for public good.
Blake feels the academy has
been "oddly quiet," allowing others to steer
the biotech revolution: "We are at the beginning
of a New Renaissance, although a more negative analogy,
such as Global Laboratory, might be applicable depending
on the steps we choose for the future."
The liberal arts are central
to this crucial dilemma, he feels, because--although
the sciences themselves will provide the means to effect
the revolution--the arts will help society to decide
how to best govern the outcomes of the new knowledge
of this "Renaissance."
To view the article,
visit www.matrixmagazine.com/.
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