Comments on: “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘fertilized’ is” http://online.worldmag.com/2009/03/13/it-depends-on-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-fertilized-is/ A forum for discussion of news that arises at the intersection of Christianity and culture. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:38:07 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: bethd http://online.worldmag.com/2009/03/13/it-depends-on-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-fertilized-is/comment-page-1/#comment-406228 bethd Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:01:56 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19087#comment-406228 Steve, My assumption is that the interview was taped ahead of time and they decided to use it because it had Bill Clinton giving his opinion even though it is chock full of scientific errors. Also, my guess is that Dr. Gupta made no attempt to correct his egregious errors in the interview in order to not embarass Clinton and to ensure that Clinton will give him another interview in the future. Steve,
My assumption is that the interview was taped ahead of time and they decided to use it because it had Bill Clinton giving his opinion even though it is chock full of scientific errors. Also, my guess is that Dr. Gupta made no attempt to correct his egregious errors in the interview in order to not embarass Clinton and to ensure that Clinton will give him another interview in the future.

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]]> By: SteveG http://online.worldmag.com/2009/03/13/it-depends-on-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-fertilized-is/comment-page-1/#comment-406136 SteveG Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:42:41 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19087#comment-406136 Beth: How do you figure that his letting Clinton's apparent error pass would lead to higher ratings? The people who are watching are already watching and those who are not are not going to somehow know that they should turn it on. Beth: How do you figure that his letting Clinton’s apparent error pass would lead to higher ratings? The people who are watching are already watching and those who are not are not going to somehow know that they should turn it on.

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]]> By: Bob Buckles http://online.worldmag.com/2009/03/13/it-depends-on-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-fertilized-is/comment-page-1/#comment-405936 Bob Buckles Sat, 14 Mar 2009 06:47:26 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19087#comment-405936 If I didn't like Clinton I might just let him blather on without helping him with his vocabulary. Maybe in Indian society, one does not correct one's betters and Clinton is an ex-President. Dr. Gupta might have been being polite. Or he might not have caught the mistake. If I didn’t like Clinton I might just let him blather on without helping him with his vocabulary. Maybe in Indian society, one does not correct one’s betters and Clinton is an ex-President. Dr. Gupta might have been being polite.

Or he might not have caught the mistake.

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]]> By: bethd http://online.worldmag.com/2009/03/13/it-depends-on-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-fertilized-is/comment-page-1/#comment-405929 bethd Sat, 14 Mar 2009 04:23:13 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19087#comment-405929 Clinton definitely was talking about fertilization, not SCNT, because he stated several times that he wouldn't support using an embryo that had any chance of becoming a baby. This screams scientific stupidity on an extremely basic level! Conservatives are repeatedly excoriated for their supposed lack of scientific knowledge, but here's a liberal Rhodes Scholar who doesn't know that embryos are fertilized and fully capable of becoming babies when implanted! Why else would we care about the use of embryos for stem cell research? And he's being interviewed as a political/legal expert, for his opinion on the subject. Yes, I agree Dr. Gupta comes off as incredibly scientifically illiterate, or at least as willing to present a seriously flawed argument as a good opinion, without any correcting comment, all for the sake of higher ratings on his show. Clinton definitely was talking about fertilization, not SCNT, because he stated several times that he wouldn’t support using an embryo that had any chance of becoming a baby.

This screams scientific stupidity on an extremely basic level! Conservatives are repeatedly excoriated for their supposed lack of scientific knowledge, but here’s a liberal Rhodes Scholar who doesn’t know that embryos are fertilized and fully capable of becoming babies when implanted! Why else would we care about the use of embryos for stem cell research? And he’s being interviewed as a political/legal expert, for his opinion on the subject.

Yes, I agree Dr. Gupta comes off as incredibly scientifically illiterate, or at least as willing to present a seriously flawed argument as a good opinion, without any correcting comment, all for the sake of higher ratings on his show.

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]]> By: Kyle A http://online.worldmag.com/2009/03/13/it-depends-on-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-fertilized-is/comment-page-1/#comment-405911 Kyle A Sat, 14 Mar 2009 02:55:44 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19087#comment-405911 If he was talking about SCNT, then he was advocating cloning, which most people find mor taboo than embryonic stem cell therapy. Although I completely abhor destroying embryos (in the traditional sense of the word), I think that the obvious consequences of human cloning would be worse. If he was talking about SCNT, then he was advocating cloning, which most people find mor taboo than embryonic stem cell therapy.

Although I completely abhor destroying embryos (in the traditional sense of the word), I think that the obvious consequences of human cloning would be worse.

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]]> By: Spinoza http://online.worldmag.com/2009/03/13/it-depends-on-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-fertilized-is/comment-page-1/#comment-405889 Spinoza Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:24:42 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19087#comment-405889 What's the difference between an embryo intended for in vitro placement and one slated for research? NOTHING! What’s the difference between an embryo intended for in vitro placement and one slated for research?

NOTHING!

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]]> By: Spinoza http://online.worldmag.com/2009/03/13/it-depends-on-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-fertilized-is/comment-page-1/#comment-405888 Spinoza Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:23:20 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19087#comment-405888 Of "deconstruction" you mean? Deconstruction is not useless - especially when verbal and ideological nonsense routinely hold large segments of the American public in rapt sycophantic obeisance to cultic dogma. Of “deconstruction” you mean?

Deconstruction is not useless – especially when verbal and ideological nonsense routinely hold large segments of the American public in rapt sycophantic obeisance to cultic dogma.

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]]> By: Bob Buckles http://online.worldmag.com/2009/03/13/it-depends-on-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-fertilized-is/comment-page-1/#comment-405882 Bob Buckles Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:08:38 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19087#comment-405882 #21 Spinoza <i>"…his answer was a bunch of policitized crap intended to placate conservatives."</i> Upon reflection, I think his comments are aimed at the undecided, the "moderates." I know I am looking to deconstruct Clinton's words but who trained us in this useless enterprise? #21 Spinoza

“…his answer was a bunch of policitized crap intended to placate conservatives.”

Upon reflection, I think his comments are aimed at the undecided, the “moderates.”

I know I am looking to deconstruct Clinton’s words but who trained us in this useless enterprise?

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]]> By: Spinoza http://online.worldmag.com/2009/03/13/it-depends-on-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-fertilized-is/comment-page-1/#comment-405853 Spinoza Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:54:45 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19087#comment-405853 He clearly is using the word "fertilization" to mean the larger qualified term <i>in vitro fertilization</i>. Strictly Incorrect? Yes ... Good policy otherwise? Probably not that either - even giving the IVF benefit of the doubt, his answer was a bunch of policitized crap intended to placate conservatives. He clearly is using the word “fertilization” to mean the larger qualified term in vitro fertilization.

Strictly Incorrect? Yes …

Good policy otherwise? Probably not that either – even giving the IVF benefit of the doubt, his answer was a bunch of policitized crap intended to placate conservatives.

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]]> By: kBells http://online.worldmag.com/2009/03/13/it-depends-on-what-the-meaning-of-the-word-fertilized-is/comment-page-1/#comment-405843 kBells Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:34:12 +0000 http://online.worldmag.com/?p=19087#comment-405843 19. If Bush 41 made a mistake like this y'all would be all over it. 19. If Bush 41 made a mistake like this y’all would be all over it.

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