News and Issues

The Nobel Prize recognizes two scientists who discovered that mature, specialised cells can be reprogrammed to become immature cells capable of developing into all tissues of the body. Their findings have revolutionised our understanding of how cells and organisms develop. John B. Gurdon discovered in 1962 that the specialisation of cells is reversible. Shinya Yamanaka discovered more than 40 years later, in 2006, how intact mature cells in mice could be reprogrammed to become immature stem cells. more »

In calendar year 2010, for the first time since the enactment of the Social Security Amendments of 1983, spending for the program exceeded its dedicated tax revenues. In 2011, spending exceeded dedicated tax revenues by 4 percent, and that gap is growing. CBO projects that over the next decade, spending will exceed dedicated tax revenues, on average, by about 10 percent. more »

Manufacturers must have competent and reliable scientific evidence to show that [Dietary Supplement} claims are truthful and not misleading, but they do not have to submit the substantiation to FDA, and FDA has only voluntary standards for it... a product label must include that the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. more »

It's easy enough to identify the Public Broadcasting Company as an elimination for government funding, but those monies represent 15% of their entire funding, enough to cripple the organization's ability to not only produce new award-winning programs but to purchase others from producers and networks here and abroad. more »