StarBulletin.com

Brief Asides


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POSTED: Thursday, April 30, 2009

WOOF!

Their glow is worse than their bite

At first blush, the breakthrough of glow-in-the-dark cloned beagles elicited reactions of “;egad, 'designer' novelty pets.”;

Photos of the transgenic beagles were cute, all right. But much more than that, the technique announced by South Korean researchers seems to have very serious science applications. By daylight, the four beagles look normal. But under ultraviolet light, they glow red, thanks to genes implanted with a specific trait using cloning techniques. Scientists say that could lead to implantation of other, non-fluorescent genes that could help treat specific diseases. Whenever cloning is involved, reactions run the gamut. Tread carefully.

 

SURVEY SAYS

Times are changing

In the latest New York Times/CBS News poll, released Monday, 31 percent of respondents over the age of 40 said they supported same-sex marriage.

By contrast, 57 percent under age 40 said they supported it. That's a pretty big 26-point difference.

 

LOOKING AHEAD

Lingle for president?

Interviewed by ChristianityToday, an online “;magazine of evangelical conviction,”; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was asked this week if he sees any women emerging in national Republican leadership.

Replied Gingrich: “;I would start, frankly, with Linda Lingle in Hawaii, who was a terrific governor who got reelected in very difficult circumstances.”;

“;Was?”; Last we looked, Lingle still resides at Washington Place.