WILLIAMSTOWN - Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D., a Catholic priest and neuroscientist, will speak on "The Science and Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning." The talk is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 8 p.m. in Griffin Hall, room 3. The talk is geared toward a lay audience.
He will present the science involved in the procedures for extracting stem cells and for cloning. Different types of stem cells and of human cloning will be distinguished. Following presentation of basic biology, Pacholczyk will discuss the moral objections people may have to some of the procedures as well as which ones might be most efficient scientifically for curing potential diseases.
He will also discuss the debate on the role between science and morality and whether the Catholic Church's moral opposition to embryonic stem cell research and human cloning is based on sound science or on "a theology of the possible delayed ensoulment of the embryo."
He has testified before the Massachusetts and Wisconsin state legislatures concerning a bill to ban human cloning. He serves on the ethics committee for St. Anne's Hospital and Caritas Christi Health Care System, Fall River, Mass. He is a priest of the diocese of Fall River, Mass., where he is parochial vicar of St. Patrick's Church in Falmouth on Cape Cod.
Pacholczyk earned two degrees in advanced theology and ethics at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where the church sends promising priestly candidates for training. Before his ordination at age 34, he completed postdoctoral work at Harvard University in neuroscience, and earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience at Yale. He holds undergraduate degrees in molecular and cellular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and philosophy from the University of Arizona.
The lecture is sponsored by the Williams Catholic organization.
For building locations on the Williams campus, please consult the map outside the driveway entrance to the Security Office located in Hopkins Hall on Main Street (Rte. 2), next to the Thompson Memorial Chapel, or call the Office of Public Affairs (413) 597-4279. The map can also be found on the web at www.williams.edu/home/campusmap
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Public Health Advisory Issued for Pontoosuc Lake
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Blue-green algae blooms have been observed at Pontoosuc Lake and a public health advisory has been recommended by the state Department of Public Health for the lake in both Pittsfield and Lanesborough.
As this bloom may present harmful health effects for users of the lake, the Pittsfield Health Department issues the following directives for this waterbody for people and pets until further notice:
Do not swim.
Do not swallow water.
Keep animals away.
Rinse off after contact with water.
Warning signs are being posted around the lake.
Blue-green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria, occur naturally in lakes and ponds throughout Massachusetts. These microscopic organisms are components of the aquatic food chain. In ordinary circumstances, Cyanobacteria cause no apparent harm. However, warmer water temperatures and high nutrient concentrations may induce a rapid increase in their abundance. This response is commonly called a “bloom” because algal biomass increases to the extent that normally clear water becomes markedly turbid.
Harmful health effects from the bloom can result through skin contact with the algae tainted water, swallowing the water, and when airborne droplets are inhaled. Pets are especially prone to the health effects not only through skin contact, but also by ingesting significant amounts of the toxin by licking their wet fur after leaving the water.
To protect yourself and your family from any harmful effects of this blue-green algae bloom, residents and visitors are advised to avoid contacting water that has a noxious odor, appears green throughout (sometimes referred to as looking like pea soup), or that has mats, films or scums accumulating on the surface.
Until further notice we recommend avoiding these high-risk activities:
Any contact with the water including swimming, diving, playing, or wading
Drinking, or allowing animals to drink the water
Water sports, e.g. water skiing, wake boarding, wind surfing, jet skiing, tubing
Other activities that pose a moderate risk to health include:
Fish consumption
Canoeing
Rowing
Sailing
Kayaking
Paddle boarding
Motor boating
The health outcomes of concern are:
Irritations of the skin, eyes or ears
GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea
Muscle cramps
In extreme cases nerve or liver problems
If you or your pet accidentally come in contact with algae tainted water, thoroughly rinse off with clean water.
If you experience any of the symptoms of blue-green algae exposure (listed above), contact your health care provider or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If your pet experiences symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Regular monitoring of lake conditions will occur moving forward until bloom dissipates. The community will be notified of the bloom dissipation at that time. The rescinding of the public health advisory will only occur after two successive samples, collected a week apart, demonstrate cell counts or toxin levels below the state guideline values.
For more information or questions, contact the Pittsfield Health Department at 413-499-9411.
The increase is because of a 9.12 percent hike in the levy based on the budget and fiscal articles approved for FY27 at May's annual town meeting. click for more
The mission of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires is to facilitate growth for charitable organizations through shared resources, affordable services, and creative collaborations. click for more
Talk about strangers in the night. There's lots of social intercourse between Frankie and Johnny. There's also lots of sexual intercourse. click for more
