To the Point
Missile Defense - Hit or Miss?
Last weekend's successful test in space may not be the ultimate proof that a missile defense will work, but it's hard to call it a joke any more. Now, there's even talk of testing a space-based laser by 2005. Opponents still contend there's no credible missile threat to defend against, and warn that Russia and China will respond by renewing the arms race. Does uncertain technology make missile defense a vastly expensive gamble? Would it make the world safer or less secure than it is now? We hear from Congressmen on both sides, from a security hawk and a concerned scientist. Newsmaker: Reaction to Bush Urging World Bank Shift to Direct Grants - President Bush has advocated that rich countries help poor ones by giving them money instead of loans, an idea he'll push this weekend at the G8 summit in Genoa, Italy. Thousands of protesters are expected. Amy Jawett, of the an anti-capitalist group Globalize Resistance, shares what they hope to accomplish. Reporter's Notebook: Australian Scientists Fertilize Eggs without Sperm - In Australia, scientists have found a way to fertilize eggs without male sperm. Thus far, the research has been tried only on mice, but is likely to be applied to humans soon. Dr. Orly Lacham-Kaplan, of the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, has more on a breakthrough that creates new human possibilities and new moral questions.
By Warren Olney • • 1 min readLast weekend's successful test in space may not be the ultimate proof that a missile defense will work, but it's hard to call it a joke any more. Now, there's even talk of testing a space-based laser by 2005. Opponents still contend there's no credible missile threat to defend against, and warn that Russia and China will respond by renewing the arms race. Does uncertain technology make missile defense a vastly expensive gamble? Would it make the world safer or less secure than it is now? We hear from Congressmen on both sides, from a security hawk and a concerned scientist.
Reaction to Bush Urging World Bank Shift to Direct Grants - President Bush has advocated that rich countries help poor ones by giving them money instead of loans, an idea he'll push this weekend at the G8 summit in Genoa, Italy. Thousands of protesters are expected. Amy Jawett, of the an anti-capitalist group Globalize Resistance, shares what they hope to accomplish.
Australian Scientists Fertilize Eggs without Sperm - In Australia, scientists have found a way to fertilize eggs without male sperm. Thus far, the research has been tried only on mice, but is likely to be applied to humans soon. Dr. Orly Lacham-Kaplan, of the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, has more on a breakthrough that creates new human possibilities and new moral questions.