Human Exceptionalism

Center on Human Exceptionalism

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Image from Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Protest_Tax_the_Rich!_(5521705234).jpg

Should Scientists Decide Policies About Wealth Inequality?

The other week, I discussed a Nature editorial advocating that scientists be required to “register” with the state. That policy, if enacted, would be a step toward establishing a technocratic rule-by-experts system by controlling what would be acceptable scientific discourse and who would be authorized to communicate about such matters. A new proposal, also in Nature, would push the West toward technocracy. Read More ›
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Wesley J. Smith Defends Medical Conscience on Family First New Zealand

Wesley J. Smith joined host Simon O’Connor on Family Matters, a show from Family First New Zealand, to discuss current efforts to force medical professionals with religious and conscientious objections to participate in assisted suicide and euthanasia. Smith specifically highlights the danger that these threats pose, as they would drive talented people away from the medical field. Smith and O’Connor Read More ›

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Senior male researcher carrying out scientific research in a lab
Image Credit: lightpoet - Adobe Stock

Nature: Scientists Should Have to Register with Governments to Prevent “Misinformation”

Nature — the most prestigious science journal in the world — has editorialized in favor of requiring scientists to register with governments as a condition of participation in the sector. Here’s the context. South Africa has legislation pending that would require scientists to register with a government body or face significant legal consequences. Nature applauds the authoritarian idea. Read More ›
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Mother with her newborn baby at the hospital a day after a natural birth labor
Image Credit: Louis-Paul Photo - Adobe Stock

Commercial Surrogacy Turns Women into Machines, Babies into Products

What does this case tell us about our culture? On one hand, we will allow virtually anything to enable family formation. And, on the other, many states permit abortion through the ninth month. It’s enough to give one cultural whiplash. Read More ›
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Fire fighting helicopter carry water bucket to extinguish the forest fire
Image Credit: toa555 - Adobe Stock

The Lancet: Wildfires the Latest “Health Emergency”

In recent years, editors of medical, science, and bioethics journals have proclaimed almost every major societal problem to be a “health emergency” or crisis. Off the top of my head, I can think of several: guns, racism, immigration enforcement, global warming, abortion restrictions, and fear of future pandemics. Read More ›
Jared Isaacman Senate Confirmation Hearing
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, questions Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next administrator of NASA, during a hearing, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls) at Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jared_Isaacman_Senate_Confirmation_Hearing_(NHQ202504090004).jpg

New Bill Proposes to Establish a “Commission on Human Dignity”

An ideologically odd pair of United States senators — the conservative Ted Cruz (R., Texas) and the progressive Raphael Warnock (D., Ga.) are co-sponsoring the Human Dignity and Emerging Technologies Act, which would establish an advisory commission to assist government decision-making with regard to challenges to human dignity posed by the rush of scientific and technological advances. Read More ›
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Elderly nun holding rosary beads and praying in a church, with stained glass window in background
Image Credit: Running opossum - Adobe Stock

Nuns Sue New York Over Forced Complicity in Assisted Suicide

New York just legalized assisted suicide. Adding insult to injury, the law requires morally or religiously objecting doctors to be complicit in assisted suicides by cooperating with some of its provisions. Four orders of Catholic nuns that provide medical services — including the Little Sisters of the Poor, who knows a lot about resisting government policies that would force them to violate their faith — have sued. Read More ›
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Clock on rear entrance of French National Assembly, aka Palais Bourbon, with Law statue in foreground.
Image Credit: UlyssePixel - Adobe Stock

France Legalizes Euthanasia

The West continues its love affair with the culture of death as the French National Assembly just voted to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide, overriding the Senate's rejection. I haven't read the bill, but here are a few notes I discerned from various media reports: Read More ›