The hottest Bioethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

NIAID Funds and Nature Publishes Doomsday COVID Viral Virulence-Enhancing Technology by Dr. Zheng-Li Shi: Call for Emergency Restrictions and Severe Penalties for Misuse

Popular Rationalism • 277 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🔬 Science Virology Bioethics Public Health
  1. The new method of using customized viral receptors (CVRs) allows scientists to study how viruses infect cells more safely, but it also poses serious risks if misused.
  2. These CVRs can make viruses more contagious and easier to spread, raising concerns about biosecurity and the potential for creating bioweapons.
  3. There's an urgent need for stricter regulations and accountability in viral research to prevent misuse of technologies like CVRs and ensure public safety.

Deliberate induction of anaphylaxis by vaccination

Bailiwick News • 2773 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination Public Health Medical Ethics Health Policy Bioethics
  1. Vaccines can potentially cause serious allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis, which may not be easily predictable. This can happen even with substances that are usually safe when eaten.
  2. Some historical research on anaphylaxis reveals a connection between vaccinations and the increase in allergies and autoimmune conditions today, suggesting that vaccines might sensitize people to allergens.
  3. Many vaccines contain proteins or substances that could trigger allergies, and the lack of stringent regulation in vaccine development means that people might not be fully aware of the risks involved.

Fox in the Henhouse- mRNA "Bird Flu" vax

Who is Robert Malone • 20 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Disease Management Government Policy Bioethics
  1. The USDA's approach to controlling Bird Flu by culling infected poultry has not been effective, leading to increased costs and a rise in egg prices. Experts suggest that alternatives like breeding disease-resistant chickens could be a better solution.
  2. There are concerns about the use of mRNA vaccines for avian influenza, as they may not offer complete protection and could lead to the development of vaccine-resistant strains. This has parallels to previous issues experienced with COVID-19 vaccines.
  3. Experts advocate for reassessing current strategies to manage Bird Flu, emphasizing the importance of natural immunity and genetic resilience in chickens instead of relying solely on vaccination and mass culling.

No human genes have truly 100% penetrance

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 970 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🔬 Science Genetics Molecular Biology Health Bioethics Research
  1. No human genes have 100% penetrance, meaning not all who have a certain gene will show the related traits. This makes predicting health outcomes based on genetics challenging.
  2. Genetic diseases like Huntington's seem like they have high penetrance, but variability in symptoms and onset can make them unpredictable. It highlights the complexity of genetics beyond simple Mendelian traits.
  3. The body's systems, especially the immune system, add layers of complexity that affect how genes express themselves. This makes it really hard to guarantee that a specific gene will always result in the same outcome.
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The Dangers of Mirrored Life

Asimov Press • 444 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology Synthetic Biology Ecology Bioethics Genetics
  1. Creating mirrored organisms could be very dangerous. They might spread quickly, infect humans, and even cause extinctions of vulnerable species.
  2. Scientists worry that mirrored cells could escape labs and evade our immune systems. This means they could thrive and multiply without us even knowing.
  3. Most experts believe we should be cautious and avoid creating these mirrored life forms. It's better to discuss the risks now than to face the consequences later.

Death Comes to the Beach

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 359 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
🔬 Science Marine Biology Natural History Ecology Wildlife Conservation Bioethics
  1. A small bird was saved from a drainage pipe, showcasing the joy of saving wildlife. It’s a reminder that nature can surprise us and that we can make a difference.
  2. Opalescent squid lay their eggs in clusters that wash ashore, but most will die out of water. This highlights the fragility of marine life and how conditions affect their survival.
  3. Pelagic gooseneck barnacles live on floats in the ocean but end up on shore after they die. Their life cycle shows the interesting connections between different marine creatures and their environments.

Hereditarian Hypotheses Aren't More Harmful

ideassleepfuriously • 1238 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🔬 Science Genetics Bioethics Technology Research Health
  1. The blank slate perspective can lead to conflict, totalitarianism, and rejection of genetic enhancement technology.
  2. We should value understanding the role of genes in socioeconomic outcomes for accurate policy-making.
  3. Attributing group disparities to genes can reduce blame, control, and punishment, fostering compassion and reducing social conflict.

Autism diagnoses are rising, yes, but autism, probably not

Just Emil Kirkegaard Things • 923 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🔬 Science Autism Diagnosis Mental health Genetics Bioethics
  1. Autism diagnoses are increasing due to more liberal diagnostic criteria and shifts in categorization.
  2. There is a trend of decreasing thresholds for autism diagnoses, including reclassifying individuals previously diagnosed with other conditions.
  3. The prevalence of autism is influenced by genetic factors, and options for reducing autism risk may raise ethical questions.

Thank Alabama for the Coming Superbabies

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 1975 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Reproductive Rights Bioethics Conservatives
  1. The Alabama Supreme Court's ruling has made reproductive technology more widely acceptable, aligning with liberals' control of major institutions and the high level of political polarization.
  2. Conservative elites, who have often used reproductive technology, are now publicly supporting IVF, influencing the public narrative and response to the Alabama ruling.
  3. IVF and embryo selection are increasingly common, especially among educated populations, showcasing a societal shift towards embracing biotechnology for reproductive purposes.

The Braindead War on Perry Hendricks

Going Awol • 319 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Bioethics Abortion Ethics Race Academic writing
  1. Some academics criticized Perry Hendricks without fully reading his work, showcasing the importance of engaging with content before forming opinions.
  2. Hendricks presented a conditional argument about abortion being wrong and its potential benefits in preventing morally questionable actions.
  3. While controversial, Hendricks' views touch on complex ethical debates such as moral luck and the historical context of organizations like Planned Parenthood.

Opponents of IVF Should Oppose Natural Conception Too

Parrhesia • 647 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Ethics Bioethics
  1. Opponents of IVF may need to extend their beliefs to also include opposition to natural conception, as it results in the loss of embryos similar to IVF.
  2. Banning IVF raises the issue of a paradox where excess embryos are never created nor destroyed, leading to no children being born.
  3. A consistent stance against IVF should logically also entail a stance against natural conception, due to the loss of embryos that often occurs in both processes.

Harman, Harm, and the Non-Identity Problem

Good Thoughts • 78 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaethics Bioethics Philosophical Concepts
  1. Different conceptions of harm can impact ethical judgments in non-identity cases, where an act may be considered wrong even if it doesn't directly harm any particular individual. It's essential to understand the nuances of harm in ethical reasoning.
  2. The non-identity problem challenges how we weigh harms and benefits, especially in cases where creating one individual may imply preventing the existence of a potentially happier individual. Balancing intrinsic harms and benefits can be complex in moral decision-making.
  3. Respecting individuals' normative perspectives is crucial when evaluating harm and benefit considerations. Understanding the implications of harm, compensation, and overall welfare in decision-making processes is integral for ethical evaluations.

Humanity’s new frontier is complete genomic knowledge. The barriers are ideological.

Nucleus Genomics • 39 implied HN points • 18 Apr 24
🔬 Science Genetics Biotechnology Public Health Bioethics Human Rights
  1. Understanding our DNA can help us learn more about our health and traits. It's important for everyone to have access to this information.
  2. There are ideological debates that prevent people from getting the genetic insights they deserve. These discussions often limit how much we can learn about ourselves.
  3. The goal is to communicate scientific knowledge clearly and truthfully. This will help us all understand genetics better and use it to improve our lives.

An Irony of the Eugenics Objection to PGT-P

Parrhesia • 494 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Reproductive Rights Bioethics Eugenics
  1. Opposing polygenic screening due to eugenics objections may overlook the importance of informed reproductive choices.
  2. The immorality in eugenics lies in coercion and harming people, not in the goal of improving population health.
  3. It's important to have nuanced discussions about controversial topics like PGT-P, focusing on justice and informed decision-making.

Fauci’s ‘DNA of Caring’

Who is Robert Malone • 14 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccines Pandemic response Bioethics Government Policy
  1. Dr. Fauci's decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic often seemed to prioritize mRNA vaccine development over individual care, leading to concerns about personal liberties.
  2. His approach to public health shifted dramatically by enforcing strict lockdowns and masking mandates, which many felt were unnecessary and harmful to society.
  3. Fauci's actions during the pandemic showed a pattern of not listening to dissenting voices and introducing measures that many argue lacked solid scientific support, creating public mistrust.

House of Fauci: How Dr. Christine Grady, aka Mrs. Fauci, Used Her NIH Position To Backstop Her Husband’s Pandemic Health Directives

OpenTheBooks Substack • 272 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics Pandemic response Government transparency Bioethics
  1. Dr. Christine Grady supported her husband Dr. Anthony Fauci's pandemic directives from her position at the NIH.
  2. The Faucis represent the clash between top-down public policy by elites and individual freedoms.
  3. Grady advocated for lockdowns, vaccine development, mandates, and mask-wearing, blurring ethical lines.

Beyond Caution: The Party of Life

Extropic Thoughts • 39 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🔬 Science Technology Bioethics Transhumanism Metaphysical Evolutionary Psychology
  1. Transhumanists faced prominent intellectual threats in 2004 from individuals like Bill Joy, Leon Kass, and Francis Fukuyama.
  2. The Precautionary Principle and philosophical opposition reflected fears of going beyond human nature and the potential risks of advancing technologies.
  3. Advocates for technological progress emphasized the importance of embracing change, exploring positive futures, and respecting differing viewpoints while pursuing an ever-improving future.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 164 - White Clot Roundtable!

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Medical Research Vaccination Health Freedom Bioethics
  1. There's a live event about a serious topic involving white fibrous clots in bodies. Many embalmers have reported seeing these clots more often, which is concerning.
  2. Experts will discuss a possible blood test that could help people find out if they're affected by these dangerous clots. It's important for everyone to stay informed about their health.
  3. The event will feature professionals from different fields sharing their insights. This could shed light on the science behind these clots and what it means for our health.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 157 - DNA Contamination Confirmed!

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 1 implied HN point • 19 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Bioethics Health Policy Medical Research
  1. There is a concern about DNA contamination in COVID vaccines, which could affect people's health. This issue is important for everyone, whether vaccinated or not.
  2. Dr. Christina Parks is an expert who will explain the risks associated with DNA contamination in vaccines. She will also discuss vaccine shedding and its potential dangers.
  3. Public support and donations are needed to sustain the VSRF Live show and continue discussing these vital health topics. Every contribution helps maintain health freedom for the future.