For at least two thousand years, forests have been managed in some fashion to maintain productive harvest for fuels, building materials, paper and other products. Started as a local part of the economy, forest management has morphed into a intensive cropping system that places millions of hectares across the world into production each year. The goal of the system is maximal return on investment, with a view that this is best accomplished with factory methods.
The result is that a tunnel-vision view of trees as simply industrial product has blotted out the importance of ecosystem functions of natural forests. Natural forests are replaced by evenly grown, homogeneous blocks of trees with limited diversity. Not only is the composition of the natural forest profoundly changed at the level of the tree species, the rich community of the natural forest is destroyed. The loss of biodiversity has profound implications for the planet as a whole.
The authors do an extraordinary job building multiple contexts in a few very readable chapters. The chapters are well organized. Complex issues presented in ways that make them very understandable. Jargon is minimal and, where needed, clearly defined.
The book traces the evolution of silviculture through history from ad hoc methods to formalized modern methods (the modern methods are presented as including science, but the system is taken to task for being more learned-based than thought-based).
Silviculture gives way to a discussion on theoretical ecology. The discussion is a tight and excellent review the science of ecology and its evolution from Darwin to present thoughts on the dynamics of ecosystems and the organisms they contain.
The two major threads of silviculture and ecology are woven together, culminating in the final chapter on managing industrial forests as complex adaptive systems rather than factory floors.
The size of land covered by industrial tree farming is huge and growing each year. Modifying the goals of the industrial forest has great potential for creating forests that yield both industrial wood product and rich ecosystems. This book transcends the niche of silviculture and has broad importance. It is also an excellent read.
Rating: 5 / 5
Abnormalized on
March 25th, 2010 2:34 am
I wish I could understand! But even not understanding his words I definitely learned a lot from just watching. Great video, very well made.
Excellent information that is largely unknown in the general public but should be. Genetic engineering already affects most of the food you eat, the medical care you get, the future of commodities markets and the future of third world nations. The book was a little bit too lengthy regarding the author’s personal experiences, interpersed throughout the chapters, so I skipped over some of the stories that seemed pointless or uninteresting. At times, another weakness was a lack of references or only citing one reference to “establish a fact”. The author also makes some ‘political’ statements; some I agreed with, others I did not. For the well educated reader, the book has some ESSENTIAL content to understand what’s happening with biotech but not all of it is well footnoted and defended. But that’s probably because Gunn was aiming for the layman.
Rating: 4 / 5
Having completed a stint in BioTech, I wished I had read this book ahead of time.
The book met the goal to share a number of management principles that the CEO’s of Amgen instituted.
One of the chapters that discusses the products they had in the pipeline, is a little difficult to correlate to a management lesson, but if thought about hard enough can be related to an ROI discussion and how one option initially looks costly, but the long run benefit can reap a windfall.
The book is not necessarily a history of Amgen but has enough characteristics for one to ascertain a time line of the company and their success.
The story shares a good primer for those that may need to learn a little bit about patent litigation and the effect it can have on the biotech industry.
I would recommend this book for anyone in the biotech space or for those that are looking for a quick read on creating an organization that has had such great success.
Rating: 4 / 5
Tom Abate has been covered the Biotech industry for the San Francisco Chronicle for years. It shows. He brings a strong dose of reality to this hype driven sector.
Who this book is for: -Independent investors willing to spend a lot of time doing research -People looking for a current industry overview -Job seekers
The Good: -Extremely well written -Up to Date (as of spring 2003) -Knowledgeable – several small tidbits of data pay for the book by themselves
The Bad: -Will quickly go out of date. For example the Appendix contains a list of firm websites and market caps; Market Caps change – companies disappear. -Not enough FDA information. This should have been a separate chapter covering the FDA approval process in detail as well as other countries’ processes. -Too much basic investment advice: firm valuation/free cash flow/ portfolio theory / investor risk profile. Other books do a better, more thorough job of this. -No bibliography
I gave it 5 stars because if you are going to invest in biotech the book will more than pay for itself.
Rating: 5 / 5
At last a book that makes some sense of the biotech sector! The author, George Wolff has a very straightforward approach, starting with the big picture of the industry’s development and then getting down to specifics about market behavior such as the reasons for the sector’s incredible volatility. Wolff’s analysis involves breaking the sector down in Four Tiers. Each behaves somewhat differently with the lowest Tier being both the riskiest and the cheapest to buy into. Tier One encompasses the well-known majors such as Amgen, which are relatively safe but less exciting plays. I think Wolff has set out a framework of understanding that allows investors to discriminate among the companies to find a reasonable balance of growth potential and security. Most of the book is strictly about investment analysis but the second part of it (Book 2) tries to decode the scientific background. I like his analogy, comparing the workings of DNA and cellular machinery to the innards of a computer. It’s a clear enough explanation to convince me that I finally understand this abstract stuff. All in all, a good, illuminating read for people like me who are interested in the industry and where it’s going. The investment advice is sensible and has a reasonable tone….not a “get rich quick book.” I know there’s another book on the market that looks strictly at the medical side of the biotech business. I like the fact the Wolff has gone beyond that to look at the ways the industry can affect a lot of other major sectors such as energy, chemicals, textiles and so on. Wolff believes biotech is going to become the biggest industry in the world and now that I see where the industry is headed, I think he’s right.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Biotech Investors Bible is the first advice on biotech investing that doesn’t seem simplistic. I’m tired of jumping on the high tech bandwagons touted by soundbits on TV or sidebars in magazines. I’m ready to dip my feet into the water of what seems a more promising industry. The Biotech Investors’ Bible gives me the depth of knowledge that inspires real confidence for the first time in my investing career. I TRUST IT!
Rating: 5 / 5
It is a very complete book with good explanations. However, it is written with very specialised vocabulary and looks like it has been written for university students. I would not recommend it as your first book on silviculture.
Rating: 5 / 5
elsiel27 on
March 25th, 2010 5:31 am
whoooooo Terry Hazen is awesome!
all ridiculous enthusiasm aside, he is pretty cool, and he was a good boss.
The lab exercises are written inside. I couldn’t remember what the seller described but I wasn’t happy that the labs were already filled out. But other than that, the cover and pages were in pretty good condition.
Rating: 3 / 5
An easy read through some huge changes some of which may save your life: An infection may prevent cancer occurance and reoccurance, Bush’s stem cell lines are dying out and what that means, hope for species extinction, enzymes are making the enviroment and economy cleaner, early tests for diabetes and new ones without blood draws, and the things that can come out of a womb really do threaten notions of who and what we are. What this Brave New World will look like is happening now. Moira tunes us into some big things we really ought to know.
Rating: 5 / 5
If you want to believe an illusion, go for it. Some readers say he is well informed. Whoa. This guy talks about science without any credentials to do so.
If it makes you feel good to believe that the US is bad, the environment is collapsing, and we need socialism to survive, then this is the book for you.
If you are open minded but want truthful facts to make your own opinion, find another source.
Waste of money.
Rating: 1 / 5
swaroopban on
March 25th, 2010 6:26 am
good job bro……. truly inspiring at the time of reccession
powerweirdo on
March 25th, 2010 6:27 am
This is amazing — professional, technically detailed, very current information…best bioremediation info on youtube that I’ve found by far. Thank you for putting this up.
Superb job in telling the story of how Amgen as a company, community, and culture evolved. Its strength lies in providing examples of how Amgen’s management team solved tough business problems both within and outside the company; as well as within the bio/pharma industry as a whole. It also discusses the types of managers and business practices that tend to work well in science-based businesses, and how to attract and keep top-notch employees.
Although the book is probably intended for MBA-types, as a non MBA-type, I found it very interesting. The main reason for that is because it explains how Amgen approached common business procedures such as the Initial Public Offering (IPO) process, the FDA drug approval process, and the U.S. patent application process to name a few. If anything, it provided me with a solid basic fundamental business review of how Amgen’s management team went about doing the things they did, and why they chose to do it that way.
Overall, I found this book to be a compelling story that is entertaining, educational and fun all at the same time. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in learning how Amgen, a one-time small biotech company evolved to become one of the most successful biotech companies in the world. Finally, I would like to add that this book is an excellent read. I think anyone who has a genuine interest in the Biotech industry either from a historical or business management perspective, will really enjoy it. I know I did. A five star rating all the way!
Rating: 5 / 5
As our population ages, there are more opportunities for companies involved in treating diseases. Companies in the biotech industry have a bright future. But, the author says that investing in biotech is risky. This is understandable because the firms in this industry rely heavily on innovation. New discoveries can make current products obsolete. Many investors lost money investing in these companies because they do not understand the industry and individual companies.
I liked how the author distinguished between high-tech and biotech companies. Successful high-tech companies develop valuable networks. For example, Microsoft has a network of software developers who tailor their programs to run on Windows. Biotech, on the other hand, is an industry of niches. The industry is complicated compared with other industries. However, the author did a good job making it more understandable to readers.
- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market
Rating: 5 / 5
At last a book that makes some sense of the biotech sector! The author, George Wolff has a very straightforward approach, starting with the big picture of the industry’s development and then getting down to specifics about market behavior such as the reasons for the sector’s incredible volatility. Wolff’s analysis involves breaking the sector down in Four Tiers. Each behaves somewhat differently with the lowest Tier being both the riskiest and the cheapest to buy into. Tier One encompasses the well-known majors such as Amgen, which are relatively safe but less exciting plays. I think Wolff has set out a framework of understanding that allows investors to discriminate among the companies to find a reasonable balance of growth potential and security. Most of the book is strictly about investment analysis but the second part of it (Book 2) tries to decode the scientific background. I like his analogy, comparing the workings of DNA and cellular machinery to the innards of a computer. It’s a clear enough explanation to convince me that I finally understand this abstract stuff. All in all, a good, illuminating read for people like me who are interested in the industry and where it’s going. The investment advice is sensible and has a reasonable tone….not a “get rich quick book.” I know there’s another book on the market that looks strictly at the medical side of the biotech business. I like the fact the Wolff has gone beyond that to look at the ways the industry can affect a lot of other major sectors such as energy, chemicals, textiles and so on. Wolff believes biotech is going to become the biggest industry in the world and now that I see where the industry is headed, I think he’s right.
Rating: 5 / 5
Former Amgen CEO Gordon Binder recounts his biotech company’s history in clear, articulate prose. He and writer Philip Bashe make the science accessible. They explain technical terms in lay language and spell out the benefits and effects of each biotech advance. Amgen’s story includes inspiring accounts of company-wide dedication and demonstrates the utility of the scientific method as a tactic for making business decisions. Yet, some of the book’s teachings fall a bit flat. Perhaps driven by an urge to make Amgen’s experiences broadly applicable, Binder draws lessons that are so broad in scope that they risk banality and could apply to any industry. That aside, getAbstract recommends this to anyone involved in a start-up and to those who are interested in how companies evolve, change, and succeed.
Rating: 5 / 5
VentusConsulting on
March 25th, 2010 8:10 am
Interesting that the HRC injection at Hanford has shown some progress.
I skimmed through this piece of gibberish produced by this “person” since I have an interest and a fair amount of experince in the topic at hand. The little blurb about Somatogen making transgenic pigs is what really caught my eye. I worked for Somatogen (later Baxter Hemoglobin Theraputics) for ten years. The only way any pigs got onto the company grounds was dressed out and roasted to be eaten with lots of beans and cold beer. This fool who thinks he knows what the heck he’s talking about should take himself back to grammer school and learn how to do some research into a subject he intends to write about before he commits ink to paper. Don’t waste your hard earned cash on this bundle tripe.
Rating: 1 / 5
This book is a must read for anyone with serious questions or concerns regarding our society’s headlong rush into the golden era of genetic engineering. We had better read and understand, lest that golden era instead becomes “…darker, and more protracted by the lights of perverted science.”
Rating: 5 / 5
I purchased this book to get an overview of the Biotech market as it is today. New to the field so looking for information that was not to scientific. The conversational, tell-alstory nature of the book made it hard for me to follow. By the time I got to the end of a paragraph, I was not sure what it had been about. Made it through about 40 pages and then abandoned the book – which I rarely do. Maybe it got better later on…
Rating: 2 / 5
I’ve been fan of NPRs Tech Nation for years. As a technology-focused radio host, Moira Gunn is without peer. I judge that by the fact that years of difficult-to-understand topics have remained rooted in my mind–from the Tech Nation interviews. She brings out the best from her authors with a light-hearted style, humor, and an infectious laugh. On the other hand, it’s always clear that Dr. Gunn has read her author’s book and therefore never dumbs-down an interview. I recommend reading “Welcome To Biotech Nation” for any one of three reasons: (1) as a fascinating journey into the strange world of biotechnology; (2) for insight into the latest happenings within the biotech world; (3) to experience Dr. Gunn’s unique talent for wrapping a page-turning story around a complex topic–making memorable something that might be beyond the grasp of many.
Rating: 5 / 5
I didn’t realize that this was called the short version but it has all the lab assignments that I needed and I saved money so it all worked out.
Rating: 5 / 5
ricekenn on
March 25th, 2010 8:51 am
I can’t Believe nobody has bothered to come see this yet… I am a UCTV junkie overnight now.. Never know what comes up.
Contrary to what the previous reviewer thinks, the earth is NOT a closed system in terms of entropy and energy. The earth receives a huge constant input of energy from the sun. This energy is captured by plants and used to reduce entropy (which is the essence of life). As long as the sun burns (~5 billion years), life will be able to survive and prosper on earth.
Rating: 3 / 5
Good review of the various biotech subsectors and future biotech trends. The book compares biotech to the PC industry and gives a fairly good insight about what might happen from an industrial and investing perspective.
Rating: 5 / 5
Tom Abate is a good writer and knows his subject. I thought this book was written in a guarded, pragmatic way that suits the reader’s purpose (presumably investment). The dustjacket shouts of a ‘coming boom’ but the author can be forgiven for what is basically puffery. Abate is clearly arguing for a period of drawn out growth fuelled by demographics and accelerating technical progress – not an imminent goldrush.
I gained a number of insights I consider valuable: -An understanding of the mechanism of FDA approval and how companies manage themselves around it. -The fluid business models of existing companies. -The way in which institutional fund managers seem to advocate active trading over a ‘buy and hold’ approach to biotech portfolios (this surprised me).
Timely, relevant and convincingly argued. I’d probably buy another book by this author.
Rating: 5 / 5
I read dozens of investment books. I have never read one that is as cogent and helpful as The Biotech Investor’s Bible. It has signiificantly helped me develop a realistic criteria for choosing which biotech stocks to invest in. It will have a permant place on my shelf of investment books.
Rating: 5 / 5
The new Bio-Tech is a wonderful addition to the fourth edition of Gurps. It covers rule for physical modifications of species as well as medicine, and the use of magic in the field of biology. Overall a excelent product
Rating: 1 / 5
Rifkin does not attack the idea of creation as an anti-thesis to an divine creator. Instead proposes the genesis of life was a composition of diversity produced by genes. Rifkin says man first major break through was fire. Fire allowed elements to be separated and recombine. Fire empower man to move into the industrial century. The next century would be the biotech century. It all started with a major advancement in science put a Japanese company who gained the the spotlight after they discovered who to classify a gene, remove specific gene material, and reinsert the geneic material various DNA species. The effective extracting and recombination open the door of new life. Thus, man would be able to recombine the genes to create new forms of life blocked orignial by barriers of the species. The idea of the second genesis is to take the best genes properties and introduce them into high demand life forms. Rifkin points out that the biotech century emerged proportional to increasing computer computations. The commerical of living material was thoughtfully presented. Rifkin explains legally, we do not have ownership over cell matter taken from our body. Unique celluar resistence to specific diseases can be exploited, catalog, recombined, and marketed. The gene database will produce exponential increase in new drugs, products, foods, and material. Commerical companies use the gene information which does not necessarily benefit the original sources of the genetic material. So, the creator created all diversity of life. Life was suppose to act within a sphere of influence. It seems to enhance of modify those bounds of influence would be unwise. Just rationally, I fear the unknown and lack of control. Those spheres of influence limit the range of destructive capability nature can impose. Nature can not produce an elephant which can walk up a wall. Suppose, a gene is introduced into a potatoe plant to kill aphids. The genetic property responses effectively and the number of aphids significantly drops. However, a drought reduces the water supply and the genetic deterence stops because the gene does remain active in drought conditions. The point, genetic engineer works well in a laboratory where all the variables are controlled and measured. It is conceivable Rifkin warnings are valid consider, we don’t know all the properties of the gene and how they will act, in all conditions. The example, did not demonstrate harm, because the farmers could apply pesticide to kill the aphids and recovery some their crop.
Rating: 3 / 5
Moira Gunn is to biotech what “Click and Clack” is to cars! And as with Cartalk, I thought the “Biotech Nation” subject would be beyond me until my sister sent me a copy for my birthday. I felt compelled out of politeness to at least attempt it. I was stunned and pleased to find the book was an absolute joy, and I had no idea I could understand these complex concepts…but Dr. Gunn makes it easy, fun and fascinating. I’ve already bought copies for presents and feel as if I have a much better understanding of what makes our world go around!
Rating: 5 / 5
Gordon Binder’s Science Lessons demonstrates the efficacy of creating an atmosphere of autonomy and employee ownership in the corporate structure. Mr Binders straightforward corporate philosophy shines in its simplicity and effectuality.
To the layman, ’science” conotates cold, calculating numbers, control groups and petri dishes. Mr Binder brings warmth and humanity to the scientific ascent at Amgen and leaves an indellible impression on the reader.
Science Lessons is a blueprint for the creation of a mission statement for anyone in business. The author has a unique and refreshing approach to management rooted in positive reinforcement and a reverence for autonomy. In a corporate age of maddening bureacracy, Science Lessons is a mandatory read for anyone who manages people.
A utilitarian would marvel at Mr Binder’s results; but, to the contrary, its the means by which he accomplished things that astounds. Science Lessons is refreshing, invigorating and ulimately pragmatic for all readers. Five stars all the way!
Rating: 5 / 5
This book was also required for my Microbiology College course. It was $30 cheaper then buying a used one through my college. Its great just what I was looking for.
Rating: 5 / 5
I have been reading RPG supplements for a long time. This one is a very handy supplement, even if you’re not playing GURPS. This book is well researched, and seems to add a lot along the lines of Genetic Engineering, and Medicine to the game, while distilling materials into SJ Games Excellent 4th Edition.
I am not an author, but in the interests of disclosing my affiliation with the product, I was a Playtester of the product, prior to release.
I was very impressed with how this product turned out.
Bio-Tech has been re-written and expanded for GURPS 4th Edition, and is physically impressive — full colour, some reasonable art, twice as many pages. The text divides between theory and game-specific material.
The theory part is a fairly detailed and, so far as I know, up to date discussion of medical technology, selective breeding, genetic modifications to animals and plants, genetics, and cellular biology, with interesting speculations on gene therapies, genetic engineering and gross surgical alteration. Although interesting and instructive, the theory part is, from a game point of view, mostly fluff which explains the origin of some of the exotic advantages that characters can have in a hard-SF background.
Bio-Tech also touches on, then skirts around nanotechnology, presumably because this will be covered in more detail in the forth-coming Ultra-Tech, which is referenced throughout the volume.
The game-specific part lists genetic alterations to the human genome by tech level, surgical and therapeutic procedures to upgrade characters during play, provides new spells for magically based backgrounds, and provides rules for and examples of current and futuristic drugs and medical nanotech. It also features geneered animals and plants. The best and most immediately useful part is a chapter devoted to templates, human and para-human, that has been updated from the previous Bio-Tech book, and from Transhuman Space.
All the foregoing material is excellent stuff. Sadly, the final part of the book, which features two capsule backgrounds, is less good. One has clones of Alexander the Great ruling the world, the other is a short account of a slower-than-light colonisation fleet on its way to Lambda Serpentis. Neither of these parts is particularly well detailed, and I’d have preferred more information on bio-vehicles and bio-buildings. It is a minor gripe, though — the meat of the book is more than worth the cover price.
Rating: 4 / 5
All of my lab procedures and lab quizzes come straight out of this book, so it works great for me! There are a lot of pictures and illustrations with great background information.
Rating: 4 / 5
In this age of cloning and genetically altered crops it’s hard to create a game book that won’t seem hopelessly outdated by next year. David Pulver (GURPS Psionics, GURPS Vehicles and other) has done an excellent job with GURPS Bio-Tech! Rather than a simple list of advantages and disadvantages available, David takes advantage of existing rules to explain how select gene-mods would work in game mechanics.
Also covered are modifications to animals, plants, alien organisms and a extensive section on germ warfare. (Better make sure that the target genome doesn’t appear in your population!) Addition information discusses specific changes that bio-modification could bring to a society.
This book is tailored to the GURPS game system, but with a bit of thought could be used for virtually any game system.
Rating: 5 / 5
almollitor on
March 25th, 2010 4:03 pm
It looks like you’re removing quite a bit of live crown. How do you decide how high you can prune without impacting growth rate?
My review title about sums it up. Any term you’re likely to look up – from ‘abiotic’ to ‘zygote’ – could be explored at chapter- or book-length, but this book gives you just the amount of information you want in order to move forward in whatever you happen to be reading. It defines potentially controversial entries, like “old growth” and “diameter-limit cut,” in a straightfoward and purely descriptive manner.
My only beef is the price. It’s simply too expensive, by some $20, for a rather slender volume.
Rating: 4 / 5
We used this book as our main text for a graudate level Bioremediation Course. I personally found the book very well structured and easy to understand. The appendix has a wealth of info as well. GREAT BOOK!!!
Rating: 5 / 5
I use Cookson all the time in bioremediation. The best section is the Appendix with nutrient demand calculations for any organic compound. This is the “If you can only afford one book” book.
Rating: 5 / 5
I am a recent graduate from college holding a diploma in forestry. I found this book to be essential in my studies and highly recommend to both students and any persons interested in the study of forestry. It contains all the essential termonology used for forestry with detailed information on their meaning. It is an all accounts a must have book.
Rating: 5 / 5
What I like about this book is the no-nonsense approach and straightforward advice. The author doesn’t talk much about himself, but enough to explain why he wrote this book and what you should expect. From every chapter it’s clear the author talks from experience and the topics are explained in just the right amount of detail.
If you are not a biotech expert but you understand option trading, this book can help you with the missing link you need to achieve real results.
Rating: 5 / 5
I work in longleaf forests in LA and MS conducting research on wintering grassland birds. This is an excellent book full of great literature citations. The book covers a broad spectrum of interest from fire ecology to restoration.
Rating: 5 / 5
The book seems to be missing some chapters?!?! For example, how exactly to ‘handicap’ a phase III trial? It goes into no detail on the though process to establish a bullish, bearish, or neutral bias. Although it does clearly explain the ancillary information that might be required in analyzing a biotech company (cash burn, potential value, insider activity, and potential dates) it has no chapter or discussion on how to even begin to determine if a specific drug will pass/fail Phase III trial. Now granted that may be impossible to do in reality with a high degree of probability, but there is not a single case study of a trade to go through the entire process. Also missing is any discussion of how to obtain analysts estimates as a retail trader since most is only available to institutional clients.
That being said the book does do a decent enough job explaining what it does have chapters on including analyzing the cash positions of a firm and creating trading strategies around a specific bias. Unfortunately it never goes into how to exactly establish the bias via explanation or case studies.
Finally the author alludes to many possible potential short term trading opportunities such as a tendency for stocks and volatility around or after a specific announcement, but never elaborates on any. A chapter on this alone would’ve been worth 10x the price.
Mr Pelz has done a pretty good job with this one but it’s only HALF COMPLETE. If the author reads this, please contact me!
Rating: 3 / 5
kteamonster on
March 26th, 2010 1:22 am
If anyone else needs this let me know, you shouldn’t, but I’ll be removing it soon.
Kudos to the author of this book. This is the only recently-published book that I have found which targets trading opportunities in biotech. Provides a good overview of how to analyze biotech companies and gives thoughtful ideas on how to trade illiquid options. Also presents several interesting trading strategies. Good addition to any trading library.
Rating: 5 / 5
For most of my life, I have had a deep interest in the subject of forestry, and while time and circumstances have dictated that attending a school of forestry was not possible, I have still maintained my interest by purchasing and reading materials about forestry. It holds a very big interest with me and having “The Dictionary of Forestry” in my library was an absolute must. John A. Helms, the editor, has put together a fantastic reference book for anyone who is a student, or anyone who has an abiding interest in this field. This reference has helped me when reading other books about forest and related topics, such as “Young Men and Fire.” When I come to a term such as “smokejumper”, I go to the reference in the this dictionary and get helpful information. In this case, when I looked up “smokejumper”, I was referenced to “helijumper”, where an apt description was told. There are many other terms that have been helpful, such as fire tools (the pulaski), or “fire behavior” where I find such terms as “blowup”, or “backfire” which Dodge used in “Young Men and Fire” (actually it was termed an escape fire). Also, such defintiions about fire suppression, such as “mop-up” and “direct attack.” While I may never get to attend a forestry school, I have this great reference dictionary to satiate my appetite for a great interest of mine – forestry. I appreciate the many people who put this book together and I want you to know that I consider it as essential in my library.
Rating: 5 / 5
“How to Defeat Your Own Clone” is an exceptional book.
Like my above one sentence review, this work is simple, to the point, and easily understood by the average reader. And I’m very much the average reader when it comes to books dealing with genetic science.
Based on the book’s title, I was hoping it would explain cloning, genetics, and general scientific theory in an entertaining and/or humorous way. It does just that, but it does more as well.
It’s one thing to write a book that’s scientifically accurate, it’s another to write a book that’s funny, but to combine the two genres is no easy feat. The authors succeed admirably, and “How to Defeat Your Own Clone” is a fun read that also educates.
Concerned about the 21st century implications of biotechnology, stem cell research, and similar topics? Want to learn more? Don’t want to be bored to tears or overwhelmed by jargon? If this sounds like you, then this title should be at the top of your list of books to buy.
Disappointing. I guess this book is one example where the cover says it all; next time I see a book on Biotech investing, I want to see a dollar sign on the jacket. Sure, I got the biotech bit, but where was the insight into investing. Nothing really hit me. I started reading the book not knowing how to invest in biotech; I ended the same way.
On a positive note, I did like the writing style.
Rating: 1 / 5
This book, the Ecology and Silviculture of Oaks, absolutely rocked my world. Never have I read such a moving, overwhelming discussion of oak trees. Wow. I may seem a little biased because author Steve Shifley is my rockstar father (yeah, Dad!), but this coming-of-age tale of oak trees in a changing, oppressive urban culture is truly a tearjerker. Well worth the [$] I paid for it. Buy as many copies as you can, because all the proceeds go to fund my college education. Once again, READ THIS BOOK! It’ll alter your worldview- forever.
Rating: 5 / 5
WilliamABrenk on
March 26th, 2010 4:51 am
This stuff was used to clean up a hell of a lot of spills over the period of ten years.
Go to Williamabrenk watch “Look Outside” You’ll see how important it is.
dubai147 on
March 26th, 2010 4:51 am
This product is now being distributed by BioRemedia in the UK.
Amazing ‘find’ by NASA!!!
Keep up the good work!!!
I picked up this book with two kinds of expectations. One that McCamant would give me the “lay of the land” of the Biotech space, the competing markets and the key companies. The other, that he would provide deep insight (a la Peter Lynch) on an investment method. On the first count, the book does a reasonable job. On the second count, it is very disappointing. Most of the investment rules are obvious and generic. The investment web links are outdated.
Rating: 3 / 5
This book is written with a delightful sense of humor, yet the authors clearly take the subject seriously. Fun to read, thoughtful, and thought-provoking. Kurpinski and Johnson admit right up front what so many from the highest halls of government on down refuse to recognize; The biotech genie is out of the bottle and he isn’t going back in, so we’d better get to thinking about how we are going to handle things, rather than pretend it will all just go away.
Rating: 5 / 5
dubai147 on
March 26th, 2010 5:48 am
Fantastic product – Bioremedia in the UK supply the PRP Products.
The Handbook is an enormous tome of media formulations. The index is the back is indepensible. One thing that would have improved the volume is more explaination of why certain components are in each media formulation. However, this is for sure a useful book for all who work in microbiology, from clinical labs to industrial to academia.
Rating: 4 / 5
CHAHED1 on
March 26th, 2010 6:24 am
waterdog64 the oil was “recycled” by the bacteria when they comsumed the PRP & oil mixture
Somewhat tongue in cheek, this is a terrific look at cloning that simplifies using humor without dumbing down DNA sequencing. The authors answer key questions and provide warnings. One particular caution is allowing your DNA sequence to appear on the Internet that will remind readers of Miss Manners’ warning about social networking. Readers will ask how do I defeat a clone who has been enhanced to be superior. Answer is experience and knowledge. The future appears to be chocolate-flavored broccoli that Bush 41 would enjoy, but not to worry as humans have a long time history of genetic engineering in farming and animal domestication. So although stem cell research appears to have cures for illnesses, Kyle Kurpinski and Terry D. Johnson make a serious Dr. Frankenstein case that good intentions pave the road to hell with unintended consequences. So be prepared to out think your healthier clone. This is a great science book that combines jocularity with easy to read and understand biotechnology.
Harriet Klausner
Rating: 5 / 5
waterdog64 on
March 26th, 2010 7:02 am
It’s amazing how much comes from NASA research. I wonder if this stuff could be scooped up and used as a biofuel or if the encapsulated oil could be recycled after being absorbed?
Foresters and other land managers usually have to rely on shelves and boxes full of books, reprints, bulletins, and notes for the information they need about the ecosystem they are concerned with. Here, between two hard covers, is a great wealth of carefully selected, clearly organized, and creatively synthesized knowledge dealing with the biology and management of American oak forests and woodlands.Chapter titles will indicate the diversity of subject matter: Ecology, Regeneration Ecology (flowering, fruiting, and reproduction characteristics), Regeneration Ecology (population dynamics),Site Productivity and Stand Development, Development of Natural Stands, Self-Thinning and Stand Density, Even-Aged Silvicultural Methods, Uneven-Aged Silvicultural Methods, Multi-Resource Management, Growth and Yield, plus seven appendices. There are numerous sub-topics within each chapter, greatly amplifying the diversity of information. There are many illustrations, graphs, flow-charts, and photos. Each chapter has its own lit cited, about 90% of which are from 1990 or later. As a tree biologist I read the sections on acorn dispersal, vegetative reproduction, and growth, and found all to be clear, accurate, and current. This excellent technical volume should serve as a model for the digestion of information for all significant forest tree genera.
Rating: 5 / 5
lizzyregis on
March 26th, 2010 7:51 am
This video deserves 5 stars
SacredVine on
March 26th, 2010 8:01 am
Thank you for sharing this video, Paul Stamets is definitely a fungal visionary!
dharpoon on
March 26th, 2010 8:11 am
Interesting technology…
tillo2008 on
March 26th, 2010 8:30 am
@nickmasta
“does anyone know if this fungi was genetically engineered or just found in nature this way?”
this is part of a broader and better presented talk that Paul Stamets gives on the TEDtalksDirector channel.
He explains that they are primarily found in the Old Growth Forest (hope i got the right) in the USA and are not GMO.
Video Title: “Paul Stamets: 6 ways mushrooms can save the world”
tonyrosam on
March 26th, 2010 8:57 am
i hope people pick up his work
navaneethmohan on
March 26th, 2010 9:09 am
what magnification is the first pic?
msrhe on
March 26th, 2010 9:23 am
hero.
herseyb on
March 26th, 2010 9:45 am
regular old found in nature
bencalejackson on
March 26th, 2010 10:22 am
basically contracts will have a radius that they want trees to be spaced at because if they are too close when they mature there roots tangle, branches hit blah blah blah. Most spacing done is 7-9 feet (in my experience) but this guy is planting much closer. I would be interested to know if his contract was set at 5 feet (approx) or he is just planting tight. If his checkers see trees arent spaced he might have to replant…
kjen13 on
March 26th, 2010 10:26 am
unbelievable. top stuff
scuzzulus on
March 26th, 2010 10:45 am
what’s 5 feet planting? i thought this was wildwoods?
nickmasta on
March 26th, 2010 11:07 am
does anyone know if this fungi was genetically engineered or just found in nature this way?
djleathal102 on
March 26th, 2010 11:10 am
looking forward to going back…the first pic def should have been someone better at their job than alexis though….
sickpup4 on
March 26th, 2010 11:15 am
i bought myself a 4 pot bag but with all pots full its too much weight to be affective going back to the three pot system tomorrow. Where abouts are u based? I’m near newcastleton just now.
bencalejackson on
March 26th, 2010 11:16 am
anyone who gets a contract with 5 feet planting can pound like that, 1 step, pound, step, pound…not to say he isnt good but yea, not that impressive in my opinion
ricemeowz on
March 26th, 2010 11:24 am
this is the best job in the world!
giiwed on
March 26th, 2010 11:42 am
u tree planters are a mesy, messy breed……i just spent all day cleaning tree planting vans at outland thunder bay
abyssquick on
March 26th, 2010 11:44 am
It’s hard to say, this is just a succinct presentation. If there was already enough organic matter in the soil- then perhaps nothing was mixed in. Maybe they used one of Paul’s strains bred to prefer hydrocarbons.
A little more detail would help– but suffice to say this is not joke. What Paul is doing here is truly revolutionary.
Since I’m not interested in being a PhD this seems like the perfect book for me and more than likely for the average investor. The thing I really like about this book is that it helps me know how to make money from the coming biotech explosion.
I don’t care how this stuff works nearly as much as how to build my net worth by investing. On that point, this is THE book. It has just about everything-understandable explanation of the industry, how to tell which companies are likely to be leaders, and even a reference database.
If I had a book this good at the beginning of the ‘high tech’ explosion I could have retired already. I would have understood enough about Oracle, Cisco, and all that lot to make even more money. I don’t intend to be on the back half of the next wave. I give this book five stars. Thanks a million, $$$, to the author.
Rating: 5 / 5
abyssquick on
March 26th, 2010 12:05 pm
Yeah… I work with mycelium- it’s a bit of an extremophile when it comes to substances we consider toxic to life– fungi are capable of enzymatic reaction unlike any other life-form.
Oil is likely not the main food source (though Paul does breed types towards that goal). Organic matter is often mixed in some amount to help the proliferation of the organism (give it a head start) and the fungus then breaks down both the organic matter and the harmful contaminated soil. The fungus adapts.
LeeMargett on
March 26th, 2010 12:08 pm
arent they just, planting plugs, have the 3 pocket bags like these guys and you can only fit 150 sitka in them, maybe 200 in a post bag. Eskdalemuir, tweedsmuir….makes canada look like heaven. plus i havent seen girls like that up in the scottish hills.
racergonemad99 on
March 26th, 2010 12:27 pm
It’s only january and I can’t wait to go back… oh dear!
Dr. Duarte has put it all together in this book. The future of biotech stocks is incredible, but investing without a full understanding of the industry is risky. All the knowledge you need to invest successfully in biotech issues is right here!
Rating: 5 / 5
MrSimo222 on
March 26th, 2010 12:36 pm
u feelas got a preety sick lokkin set up I run a tree plantin crew in aus allways lookin for some guns who wanna make some $ and have a ball why doin it check out our clip cant stop planting were an army of tree planters The Infantree.
1eleKtriK2MAYHEM on
March 26th, 2010 12:38 pm
Pual Stamets is a Mycological Genius
ntuman on
March 26th, 2010 12:38 pm
NIceeee.
AndrewKFletcher on
March 26th, 2010 12:47 pm
Planted my first tree aged around 9, aged 52 now and still planting trees.
Loved the video and the sound very inspiring. Have responded with a news clip video of a little girl planting trees Sula is now married with 2 children who will be inspired no doubt by her video.
Reading the book My Life My Trees by Richard St Barbe Baker was very inspirational also.
Andrew K Fletcher
scuzzulus on
March 26th, 2010 12:49 pm
damn guy at 6:15 is a pounder who is that?
toottheweedpipe on
March 26th, 2010 12:50 pm
scooter u r gay harden the fuk up love sheeny/king tree planter/smart cunbt extrrordenair
This book provides the average investor with a solid foundation in their pursuit of successful biotech investing.
Most investors invest in biotech stocks based on media exposure and momentum driven markets. There is a glaring lack of any sort of structure to their research or position management. Dr. Duarte’s book lays the groundwork for investors to establish a workable system of identifying and managing promising investments. By incorporating risk management techniques (technical analysis), he has provided a dose of reality to balance the inherent optimism the motivates biotech investors. This is crucial as it prevents the blow ups that destroy portfolios as well as investor confidence.
Rating: 5 / 5
00fart on
March 26th, 2010 1:04 pm
was a tree planter in 1989 in bc canada and i loved it
lahnaclannb on
March 26th, 2010 1:14 pm
whats the song at 2:50 , I cant figure it out?
sickpup4 on
March 26th, 2010 1:26 pm
been a tree planter in Scotland for 9 years and would like to try a season in Canada any idea’s on how to go about this? the tree’s we plant here are much bigger than those struggle to carry 500 sitka spruce at a time.
jakefgreenfield on
March 26th, 2010 1:30 pm
thats exactly the point of this, to reverse the damage done to soil by the fuel..
lahnaclannb on
March 26th, 2010 1:37 pm
haha great title, totally agree
smudge6699 on
March 26th, 2010 1:42 pm
A truly earth shattering and literally ground breaking discovery.
Fungal reclamation.
Give him the Nobel prize NOW!
We can now reverse the process of our own destruction.
Peace
MannoMagic on
March 26th, 2010 1:58 pm
peace
djbolivia on
March 26th, 2010 1:59 pm
The music used in this video may now be downloaded (for about a dollar) from iTunes, AmazonMP3, Rhapsody, Napster, and Shockhound. Just do a search on “When I Grow Old” by Mike Allison.
cymo70 on
March 26th, 2010 2:15 pm
This brings back some awesome memories, working for Nechako Reforestation in 1997. Any old Nechako crew please holler.. Si from Australia
iluvupisces on
March 26th, 2010 2:21 pm
the mushroom is only a small part of the organism. it is the mycillium that is the true the living oranism and this feeds and cleanse the toxins. The mushrooms are like flowers to M. and will always be cyclical. You obviously missed the entire point.
PuggFugget on
March 26th, 2010 2:24 pm
tough to get hired if ur only 16 dude
trinitymike on
March 26th, 2010 2:30 pm
Kelly is right: you’re all over-educated geeks….Yeah, you heard me GEEKS!!!!
j/k-ing…Kelly needs to read those studies.
InDreaminglyGleam on
March 26th, 2010 2:35 pm
Brinkman Camp not floklore!
Slowsis on
March 26th, 2010 2:46 pm
I love this video. This is why we keep going back.
Also…the song is amazing.
BlueManIan on
March 26th, 2010 2:56 pm
Awesome! My biology professor showed us this in class as an intro to her lecture on fungi and plants.
AtomicCactus on
March 26th, 2010 3:06 pm
Great song, great video. Brings back many memories.
iplanttrees8875 on
March 26th, 2010 3:08 pm
I’d have to go ahead and disagree with you on both points there.
This is 100% a Brinkman camp and not Folklore. And, having worked with Folklore for the past 3 years, I would say they have the utmost respect for their planters in every aspect, rendering your comment, essentially inaccurate and thus unfounded.
Clouch0284 on
March 26th, 2010 3:09 pm
that company was folklore based in Prince George BC. big company. little respect for their planters. steer clear.
pattyd2112 on
March 26th, 2010 3:11 pm
hey im 16 and i am planning on going on the irving crew in nb,i just want to know how long until you get used to the place and routine?and yeah im in it for the experience and the cash for sure
The book looks great, but it is definitely not worth reading. If you are into technical analysis, you may derive some use from the text. However, I don’t see why you need a book devoted to biotech for investing on this basis.
There’s a weak chapter on the science (high school level at a stretch); a discussion on investment basics which misses the mark. The markets chapter is fine, but the review of major drug companies is weak. I just found the analysis of the biotech industry to be too weak. There’s simply too little analysis and too much opinion.
I have no idea why there’s a discussion on mutual funds. Unless the particular vehicle is a sector fund, the manager won’t start investing in biotech until the price has appreciated. By then, it’s too late.
The MD and CNBC credentials lead me to believe that this book would provide some dynamic insight or a systematic way for cutting through they hype. Sadly, it did neither.
Rating: 1 / 5
mjok2004 on
March 26th, 2010 3:56 pm
Well done on the song, HOLLA from Australia
jaydoubleyou23 on
March 26th, 2010 4:02 pm
@ dancidelics
Smelly hippie.
When you plant a tree, 4 are getting cut down.
And trees dont fully grow in a year… I’m sure you know that
I was told logging companies are obliged by the government to replant 25% of the trees that they cut down. If this is false, please reply.
simonizerful on
March 26th, 2010 4:03 pm
Yes…yesss…completely! What a radical video and what looks like a good crew! what co. is it?
iplanttrees8875 on
March 26th, 2010 4:08 pm
Awesome!!!!
djbolivia on
March 26th, 2010 4:10 pm
I actually wrote it myself (Scooter), but I got Mike Allison to sing it for me. He’s got a much better voice than me. We kind of shared duties on the instruments – he did the acoustic guitar and the bass, and I did the piano, electric guitar, drums, and shaker. It got a bit of national radio play last year, so if it sounds familiar, that’s probably why.
planter41 on
March 26th, 2010 4:13 pm
whos that song by?
eversostupid on
March 26th, 2010 4:24 pm
Great video, but please give credit where it’s due: See the Log Driver’s Waltz on NFB website
Handbook of methods for microbiological quality control in pharmaceutical and medical devices
Rating: 5 / 5
fungalfever on
March 26th, 2010 4:46 pm
As a big fan of Paul Stamets, I think the point to get across is that this is useful for contaminated soil etc. If you are able to capture a diesel spill prior to it getting into the soil or environment…wouldn’t you do that? It doesn’t appear that this is intended for growing mushrooms in straight diesel.
Slowsis on
March 26th, 2010 4:53 pm
Oooh…I miss mounds….except when its to hot and they turn into little piles of cement in the sun. Great video!
This book is far too basic for anyone who graduated high school biology. It is redundant, condecending, and very poorly edited.
Duarte’s explanations of scientific/ medical concepts are painfully dumbed down. (Admitedly, I too I am a physician, but I think anyone with even a remote scientific background would agree.)
Worse yet, much of the book is composed of generic and dated summaries of the major biopharma companies (not even an appropriate use of paper in the age of [investment websites]
I was hoping to learn from this book fundamental priniciples for evaluating biotechnolgy companies from a seasoned wall street/ medicine hybrid. But Duarte gives too much general investement advice, and too little advice specific to biotechnology investing…
Rating: 1 / 5
paulcarpentier96 on
March 26th, 2010 5:04 pm
That reminds me of my years…wow..its a tough job..i forgot about that!!!! Good job guys..and i appreciate the hard work every silviculture workers do!..as for what gate243 said on job interview….soooo true!
KennethKramm on
March 26th, 2010 5:06 pm
This is a fantastic video! my type of waltz
AnitaCMenotti on
March 26th, 2010 5:16 pm
wow, bringing back all the memories…all the memories..MISS IT quite a bit!
MaximusNZL on
March 26th, 2010 5:24 pm
looks great,if only it was like this here in new Zealand
Innomen on
March 26th, 2010 5:27 pm
All hail the bottom of the food chain.
waori on
March 26th, 2010 5:28 pm
Miranda, R. de Souza, C.S. Gomes, E.B. Lovaglio, R.B. Lopes, C.E. Vieira de Queiroz Sousa, M.F. 2007. Biodegradation of diesel oil by yeasts isolated from the vicinity of suape port in the state of Pernambuco –Brazil. Brazilian Archives of Biology & Technology. 50:147-152.
and there are hundreds more of these studies. If you still think your common sense trumps empirical, verifiable, peer reviewed experiments then I give up.
cornbread77 on
March 26th, 2010 5:29 pm
Hahahahahahaha. Oh dear!
cornbread77 on
March 26th, 2010 5:30 pm
No. It is the famous Yohan.
notheusernameiwanted on
March 26th, 2010 5:35 pm
“The tree planters waltz pleases the girls…completely”!! ROFL. That’s awesome!
ripousse on
March 26th, 2010 5:36 pm
1:20 : is the dude in the red shirt Jason Konopad ?
waori on
March 26th, 2010 5:44 pm
Jacques, Rodrigo J. S. Okeke, Benedict C. Bento, Fatima M. Peralba, Maria C. R. Camargo, Flavio A. O. 2007. Characterization of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon – Degrading microbial consortium from a petrochemical sludge landfarming site. Bioremediation Journal. 11:1-11.
natemartin16 on
March 26th, 2010 6:02 pm
Hey man,
Planted with the guy who made this video, after this video was made. No one here is under the impression they are helping the environment out. You are making sik cash working for the bad guy. Sure reclamation and reforestation is better for the environment, but if you’re going to put up with the million horrors of planting you might as well do it for the most $ you can.
Elite1987 on
March 26th, 2010 6:15 pm
Leg Extentions(12) 60, 60, 60, 60
32shoe on
March 26th, 2010 6:33 pm
Awesome! Wish I could be there
njagala on
March 26th, 2010 6:35 pm
awesome vid guys! So realistic compared to some of the more glam shots on the web. not that I don’t enjoy romanticizing planting but this one brings back real memories
wildbillfarly on
March 26th, 2010 6:52 pm
Thanks for this man. i’m heading up for my first year in may. this really gave me a good idea of what to excpect.
thanks
baadbug1 on
March 26th, 2010 7:25 pm
@swirlingabyss call me at 574 -850-3112 and lets make a wager if you have the guts to..
anthonypi on
March 26th, 2010 7:27 pm
bro.. on the coast we planted 100 at a BAG UP we still did 1000 a day, thats TEN bag ups on the Oregon Wash coast range… , I’ve planted in OR,WA,AZ,CA ,MT,ID, and Nevada, everywhere in OR and WA, including Mt St Helens 4 years in a row, where we did about 1500 plugs before 11:00am .. estimate of 1.5 million is probably low..I planted at least 1000 a day, every day, every year, your point?… some people just plant slow, some sloppy, some fast, some good, some fast&good, slow &sloppy, whatever
oghoodz on
March 26th, 2010 7:30 pm
this totally just made my night – I’m sitting here doing a project researching the methods of research ethics [bore] and I just watched this. BOY ! I miss the outdoors and honest labour etc… of the planters life – makes me just want to say F* it and run off again…. Thanks for the vid.
AndrewKFletcher on
March 26th, 2010 7:32 pm
If we could take this to Africa and work from the desert coastine inland we could roll back the deserts and cause it to rain where it no longer rains
swirlingabyss on
March 26th, 2010 7:32 pm
The substance supposedly being bioremediated is a mixture of gasoline and oil. It is the lighter volatile compounds in the gasoline that off gas and can be ignited. With all that agitation and swirling, plus the initial burning, you’ve driven off all the light volatile compounds. All that is left is heavy compounds that won’t burn easily, even if torched. Nice try though.
flintsword on
March 26th, 2010 7:56 pm
This is great!
baadbug1 on
March 26th, 2010 8:05 pm
No dispersant, this product has 13 different microbe species and 7 different emzimes. There is about 18 trillion microbes in a gallon of our product hungry and ready to consume.
scuzzulus on
March 26th, 2010 8:08 pm
sweet vid man
sellin55 on
March 26th, 2010 8:11 pm
AdamNazz, there natural occuring and no GMO used in our product. This is the real deal.
gate243 on
March 26th, 2010 8:23 pm
If you apply for a treeplanting job and tell the interviewer you want to help the environment, he/she will laugh in your face. Companies are only looking for people who want money and are willing to work hard for it, because these are the only people who will manage to stick with it and plant a lot of trees in spite of the bugs, rain, heat, and isolation. Planters who are doing it to save the planet or because it sounds like an exciting experience end up quitting by the end of the first week.
Lanimal78 on
March 26th, 2010 8:24 pm
I’ve read some of the other comments you’ve left on other planting videos over the last 2 years. Kind of sounds like the same stuff over and over again. I understand that there was a lot of bare-root planting in the past, but that is almost completely finished except on the coast. As a planter who has planted way over a million trees, I find it hard to believe your claim that you planted so many only bagging 100 trees at a time in only a 10 year period????
Lacepaste on
March 26th, 2010 8:32 pm
what the eff is this no screef business????!!!!!!! Just plant and stomp eh? ahahaha hope you guys didnt have to replant
Gelatotree on
March 26th, 2010 8:52 pm
f-ing sweet. Almost makes me want to go back planting…almost .
anthonypi on
March 26th, 2010 8:57 pm
20 years your insane ; ) , I remember Weyerhaeuser “super trees”, 2-1 bare roots 100 per bag up, with root wads a foot long.I planted for contractors as well as Hoedads out of Eugene, I’ve found very little stuff from the 70s-80’s, Hey I hear you about inspections, really..I’ve worked jobs where they literally laid down and dug roots with toothpicks, seriously,Hoedads has a site ,but not much “video” from those days,I’ll put up what i find, it’s been a long time since the tent,rain, & food runs
rikospandex on
March 26th, 2010 9:08 pm
I love the work hard play hard dexterity of this video, it captures the hypnotic intensities that waltz planters back each year. Bangin song times ten too.
YouAdamNazzkl0wn on
March 26th, 2010 9:09 pm
I admit to being a sceptic- mostly becasue of the speed of the reaction…..
Are they GMO’s??
I’d love to see it under magnification…. do you have any microscopy videos??
dancidelics on
March 26th, 2010 9:14 pm
Good call, but I would still like to see other resources used that could be more efficient.
withdirtybags on
March 26th, 2010 9:47 pm
Hey; anthonypi, I’ve planted on the BC coast for 20 years and have planted well over 2 million myself. Including a lot of 2-1 plugs and big gnarly 2-0 bareroots but those were years ago. I would love see some online stuff about planting in the States are you aware of any.
Here you have to pass the quality inspected by the licensee at one plot/Hectare straight roots too or fines will occur. Where I plant survival is in the 90% range, and our crew has only seen a couple of small fines in 18 years.
sellin55 on
March 26th, 2010 9:53 pm
YouAdamKazz, if the microbes didn’t do there job, oil is lighter than water it would of ignited. Water means nothing, I could use 10x’s the water and still start a water fire. The microbes in Baad Bugs destroyed and consumed the hydrocarbons, thats why it doesn’t ignite
rikospandex on
March 26th, 2010 9:55 pm
I love the work hard play hard dexterity of this video, captures the intensities that allure planters back annually. Bangin song times ten too.
TheBrassHole on
March 26th, 2010 9:59 pm
Tree planters make good money? Could I sign up down here in Texas somewhere?
Lanimal78 on
March 26th, 2010 10:16 pm
Quality is always checked and scored by Ministry (canadian government) trained officials, and company trained/hired quality techs. Payment to planting companies is based on a quality percentile – with a REQUIREMENT of 95% quality in most cases for full payment. Straight plugs can be planted more quickly now, with better equipment, and more land clearing. Things done in another geo-climatic zone, in another country, two decades ago, are not comparable.
donwhitey on
March 26th, 2010 10:19 pm
Ahh the memories!
Marlborough212 on
March 26th, 2010 10:20 pm
damn im excited for next season
simfireproductions on
March 26th, 2010 10:22 pm
Yeah Goui
YouAdamNazzkl0wn on
March 26th, 2010 10:36 pm
kelly is a dumbass.
but of course it didn’t ignite- you just diluted it with 5X of water.
Water is very hard to ignite.
kelly’s still a dumbass though.
and it does seems to be reacting very quickly.
anthonypi on
March 26th, 2010 10:39 pm
rather .. I meant NO offense but we could never plant like that..
sellin55 on
March 26th, 2010 10:46 pm
Segerfield,
Our microbes can do this because our microbes are natural occuring right out of the ocean put into a process and we make them ready to go. We have very little surfactant in this product and it’s only there to break the surface tension on the hydrocarbons. We have 18 trillion hungry microbes per gallon in our product. Thats is why it works so fast.
chickweedformayor on
March 26th, 2010 10:52 pm
Frick, this is so awesome! I’m totally going to be humming this all day planting.
anthonypi on
March 26th, 2010 10:56 pm
Fair enough .. but when I planted, it wasn’t just about scalping, either it was about HAVING to have the roots absolutely straight, plots were thrown, roots were dug, etc.. I also inspected plots for the US forest service and planted well over a million and half trees from 2-1’s to plugs, plugs , sure you can sometimes just “stick ‘em in” , so ok planting has changed a lot , I’ll buy that..it was changing by the time i “got out” . I meant offense but we could never plant like that..
InDreaminglyGleam on
March 26th, 2010 11:09 pm
indeed it is!
I was light on my feet, humming this tune all day long!
Lanimal78 on
March 26th, 2010 11:09 pm
Planting has changed a lot since the 80’s and 90′ s – the massive screefs, have been replaced with duff planting trees whose plugs have enough fertalizer to sustain them for an entire year. As a 10 year vet, I have seen the change, from bigger screefs my first year to pretty much none now a days. It used to be just on the interior plateaus at the high elevation but this style has been adopted by pretty much all foresters and logging companies now. It’s faster and more cost effective.
segerfield on
March 26th, 2010 11:22 pm
I think you are right, but it seems too fast,bacteria needs time to do this. Maybe it’s a dispersant.
“This is a must read! Les has a perspective on healthcare and policy far beyond the scope of the average healthcare analyst looking at quarter earnings estimates…
He makes sense of the complexities of healthcare to non-healthcare practicioners and makes clear what you should understand about healthcare investing.
This book clears up some key misunderstandings, such as the different roles of entrepreneurs and VC’s play in the financing process of startup companies. I was struck by the high bar set by the interviewed experts, and their generally shared opinion that the calibre of entrepreneur was a factor subordinate to all others. As the book is written by a person who is coming from the outside VC/biotech start up area, there is little danger of a biased view on the different questions and their respective answers. The questions overall range from a more psychological perspective on how the different actors get along with each other to typical financing and valuation issues to networking opportunities and challenges in the early versus late stage. In short: a high quality advice for people on both sides of the table.
Rating: 5 / 5
sendmorebrains on
March 26th, 2010 11:45 pm
OK – while I agree with reforestaion
this vid is really gay.
Just so flaming gay.
sellin55 on
March 26th, 2010 11:55 pm
Kelly Nelson, you do not know what you are talking about. The emzymes break the hydrocarbon bond down, the microbes consume the hydrocarbon converting the toxic rings into H2O and CO2. Want make a serious bet? If so, please call me at 574-850-3112
kanelitwiniec on
March 26th, 2010 11:59 pm
Great video, looks like a fun time. What club and city is that footage from?
kellynelson on
March 27th, 2010 12:12 am
The bacteria did not do this. If you put a living organism on such a toxic substance like gasoline it will die. There was some other type of mechanism that caused the liquid to be incapable of lighting.
MrMCruso on
March 27th, 2010 12:18 am
Majorine 420, you must be an ontario slut so ill forgive you. In BC we would call you a ree-planter.
Understanding Pharma provides an excellent introduction to (and overview of) the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. It “dissects” a typical pharmaceutical company into its constituent parts and explains, in plain english, how each part works, what it does, how it is organized, etc. It covers pharmaceutical research and discovery, clinical development, marketing, sales, the managed markets (managed care and other third party payers), business development, and so on.
Anyone who works in the industry should read this book, as it provides a matter-of-fact overview of the industry in which they work. Journalists who write about the industry should also read it and maintain a copy as a reference tool.
On the positive side, the book is easy to read, contains numerous diagrams to help explain complex concepts, and is well written.
On the negative side, it contains a number of minor errors throughout, but nothing that affects the usefullness or accuracy of the information. In some areas, the book could use a little extra detail (such as in the chapter on Trade and Distribution).
Overall, however, this is a book well worth reading for anyone working in or associated with the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. It should be on every pharma person’s bookshelf.
Rating: 5 / 5
sellin55 on
March 27th, 2010 12:57 am
Naturally occuring bascillus bacteria
njagala on
March 27th, 2010 1:16 am
‘don’t dwell on the tree’ haha very nice!
Marjorine420 on
March 27th, 2010 1:20 am
who cares about the tree…. just hammer them in the ground, make some money………..
neighsay on
March 27th, 2010 1:24 am
Hope you paid royalties to Wade Hemsworth for “The Log Drivers Waltz”.
As the owner of gazoline and oil polluted property, I was given a first estimate of $670,000 for site clean-up. After hours of research on the net and reading this book, I contacted a different firm and we were given a decontamination fee of $210,000. That is how good that book was for me.
Rating: 5 / 5
Useful information / text for undergrad thru grad level. Field resource will save you $$$$ so you don’t have to pay for your own mistakes. I’ve added the volume to my library.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is incredibly well written and insightful. The world of healthcare investing is extremely dynamic with all the political developments happening right now – many of the old books seem archaic. Funtleyder’s take on the sector is the most recent so it seems like the only relevant book out there. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to gain a fresh perspective on what’s going on politically and how that will affect the healthcare sector as it pertains to investment. Funtleyder is also incredibly eloquent, so it’s a pleasure to read!
Rating: 5 / 5
elementalemcee on
March 27th, 2010 2:12 am
That was a thing of great beauty- sirs and madam, i take my pith helment off to you!
blutchrofl on
March 27th, 2010 2:39 am
yes, but it feels so good smoking one after that big day
I first discovered this book while reviewing the CFA’s website – clearly if they recommended it, the book must have it’s merits. After reading this book, I’m convinced that it’s a must-have for any serious investor. With all the impending health care legislation, the sector can be quite daunting – this book captures the big picture, and provides the reader with the necessary toolkit to make money in this environment.
I look forward to the author’s next book.
Rating: 5 / 5
pLingZ on
March 27th, 2010 2:41 am
Hi, may i know what is the type of bacteria that is used as the Baadbugs?
As President Obama is trying to reform health care, there is no better time to familiarize ourselves with investment opportunities in the health care sector. The uncertainty about the future of health care reform makes many investors stay away from this sector. But for the courageous ones, there is a tremendous opportunity to make money. In the end, demand for health care products and services keeps growing. The author does a great job describing to readers how the reform could create investment opportunities and in which subsector of the health care industry these opportunities exist. I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in investing in health care stocks.
- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market
Rating: 5 / 5
Healthcare is such a dynamic field with so much complexity and change that even a seasoned expert must constantly amass new knowledge. As a finance professional who previously worked as a healthcare sector analyst at a prominent Wall Street investment bank, I obtained this book with the goal of complementing my understanding and hopefully, finding some new investment ideas.
Les Funtleyder takes on a rather daunting task: explain everything there is to know about investing in healthcare within a brief 259 pages. I have mixed feelings about his success in accomplishing this goal. While this book has plenty of merit, its good points are countered by some whopping downsides.
The Strengths:
Most healthcare literature is purely about political, administrative, or moral dilemmas, but few sources are purely directed at investment as this. I like the unique, business-minded approach this book takes. The front end of is loaded with facts and statistics relevant to this country’s health care crisis. Les does a fair job educating the reader on healthcare’s current systemic challenges, and outlines the big game played between the ill, providers of treatment, and the private and governmental insurers. Overall he does a terrific job presenting a great deal of topics in laymen’s terms, avoiding most of the technical jargon used in the field. Furthermore, this book is thoroughly researched with an excellent bibliography for further reading. A professional like myself would probably be compelled to look up a few of those sources.
The Weaknesses:
The biggest downside of this book is that it does not have the guts to name names – it does not mention specific companies! By failing to talk about specific players in the industry, a healthcare “investing” book, is somewhat self-defeating. I am not sure if this is due to legal reasons or to keep the book from getting dated too soon. Whatever the reason, this insufficiency reduces most of the book’s discussion to generalized conjecture of “what-if” scenarios in the market.
With such breadth covered, this book also can’t do justice to every subtopic. Understanding specifics is the key to success in a game like healthcare investing, but the book fails in this regard. In many cases, the beneficiaries of certain movements are not clear because there are so few pure plays in healthcare. For example, the book gives a generalized rundown on the future of personalized medicine. One of the major players I know of in personalized medicine is Medco Health Solutions (not mentioned specifically in the book), but pharmagenomics comprises only a small slice of their business with a questionable bottom line impact.
Finally, to whom is this writing directed? I could not tell if Les is targeting retail investors or investment professionals. It feels that his audience lies in some sort of limbo between the two categories. Not good.
Conclusion: I only rate this book two stars because although I found it useful for plugging a few holes in my warehouse of knowledge, its shortcomings override its practical benefits.
Rating: 2 / 5
khaliloooo on
March 27th, 2010 2:59 am
i’ve been doing some report on bioremediation and i though we could exhcange information with each other.
TheBrassHole on
March 27th, 2010 3:00 am
Wouldn’t smoking hurt your endurance?
bbgun94 on
March 27th, 2010 3:23 am
This’ll help with my bioremediation project. Thanks!
anthonypi on
March 27th, 2010 3:51 am
seriously some of the worst planting i’ve seen..
I planted trees from 1981-1992..that’s just wrong..
sellin55 on
March 27th, 2010 4:23 am
I thought this video was very informative. It show live microbes eating the hydrocarbons. I get it!!
In The Frankenfood Myth: How Protest and Politics Threaten the Biotech Revolution, food safety experts Henry Miller and Gregory Conko have written a brilliant account of how self-interest, bad science, and excessive government regulation have profoundly compromised the potential of the new biotechnology. This book is a call to action for policymakers to resist a destructive political process that is currently denying enormous potential benefits to consumers throughout the world.
Many Benefits Outweigh Small Risks
The authors make a persuasive case not only that the benefits of food biotechnology far exceed the risks, but also that there has been an abject failure in the formulation of public policy. The result has been, they argue, gross over-regulation of the technology and its products, disincentives to research and development, and fewer choices and inflated prices for consumers.
Norman Borlaug, 1971 Nobel Prize winner for agriculture, writes in the foreword of this excellent book, “As a plant pathologist and breeder, I have seen how the skeptics and critics of the new biotechnology wish to postpone the release of improved crop varieties in the hope that another year’s, or decade’s, worth of testing will offer more data, more familiarity, more comfort. But more than a half-century in the agricultural sciences has convinced me that we should use the best that is at hand, while recognizing its imperfections and limitations. Far more often than not, this philosophy has worked, in spite of constant pessimism and scare-mongering by critics.”
Important Weapon
Feeding the anticipated global population of more than eight billion people in the coming four decades poses a major challenge. The new biotechnology can help us do things we could not do before, and to do it in a more precise, predictable, and efficient way. The crucial question today is whether farmers and ranchers will be permitted to use that technology.
For a decade, the authors tell us, the United States has produced ever-larger quantities of gene-spliced, insect-resistant corn that yields as much as, or more than, the best traditional hybrids, with far less need for chemical pesticides. No negative health or environmental effects have been observed. Yet there is an immensely strong anti-biotech lobby, especially in Europe, where activists have persuaded many governments to thwart new approvals. They also have successfully opposed the use of gene-spliced corn and soybeans as food aid in famine-stricken parts of Africa and Asia.
In the book’s prologue, John H. Moore, former deputy director of the National Science Foundation, notes, “With the exception of nuclear power, there is perhaps no better example of the power of the irrational fear of new technology overcoming the potential benefits than foods produced with the new biotechnology, or gene-spicing techniques.”
An Ages-Old Tradition
The history of agriculture is a story of genetic modification. For thousands of years, farmers and agriculturists have selected and crossbred plants with desirable characteristics in order to increase yields, improve resistance to pests and disease, and add or enhance other useful traits. Traditional techniques involved cross-pollination of plants, which results in the more-or-less random mixing of vast numbers of genes, sometimes entire genomes.
Along with the desired traits, however, may come undesirable ones, such as weediness or susceptibility to disease. Even so, the overall result of thousands of years of use of such gradual, incremental improvement has been an enormous improvement in agriculture, which has led to cheaper, more nutritious, and more varied food.
Thirty years ago came the advent of modern biotechnology, with its promise of more precise means of improving plant characteristics. These modifications are less likely to cause unintentional, unwanted changes.
Irrational Fear Breeds Tangible Harm
Miller and Conko address the problems of the new biotechnology that have arisen not from limits of technology itself or from the science underlying it, but from the politics, biases, and hidden agendas of activist groups in opposing it. The authors note that widespread adoption of the Precautionary Principle and similar policy approaches would surely diminish greatly the rate of adoption and diffusion of new technologies like biotechnology and all the promise they represent.
The resulting economic misfortune is by no means democratic: Although the wealthy nations will pay a price, the poor peoples of the world will be most harmed.
Miller and Conko document that the same biotechnology that has allowed American farmers to dramatically increase crop yields has also made it possible for America to assist starving people in other nations during times of crop failure or domestic strife. Nevertheless, anti-biotech activists have successfully pressured the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe to reject American food assistance, even during times of mass starvation, because of speculative, unsupported claims of biotech risks.
As the authors explain, “These developments in Africa illustrate one of the absurd problems created by groundless fears about technological change and the potentially dangerous over-regulation to which they give rise. Consumers demand assurances of perfect safety from industries and governments, but such assurances can never be made. When we demand something approaching zero risk, the resulting attempts at caution are often done with a tunnel vision that blinds us to the potentially vast human costs of such an effort. Tragically, many precautionary cures are far worse than the maladies they are meant to prevent.”
Similarly, the authors note, “Supreme Court Justice Steven Breyer cites the examples of an EPA ban of asbestos pipe, shingles, coating, and paper, which the most optimistic estimates suggest would prevent seven or eight premature deaths over thirteen years at a cost of approximately a quarter of a billion dollars. Breyer notes that such a vast expenditure can be expected to cause more deaths simply by reducing the resources available for other public amenities than it would prevent from the asbestos exposure.”
Henry Miller, M.D., is a research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. Gregory Conko is director of food safety policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. They have created in this book a resource that should convince any open-minded opponent of biotechnology that their arguments simply do not hold water.
——————————————————————————–
Dr. Jay Lehr ([...]) is science director for The Heartland Institute.
Rating: 3 / 5
577jp on
March 27th, 2010 4:31 am
I appreciate your enthusiasm and hard work. However, when it comes to phytoremediation, you are making the lead more bio-available. There are currently no incinerators in the US that accept plants which have been used to remove heavy metals from soil. Do not put them in a landfill – despite RockinJoeDavis’ well-intentioned advice. I’m glad you are trying to restore balance to the soil – but do a little more research and I’m sure you’ll find a safer method.
Paitro202 on
March 27th, 2010 4:38 am
they dont have a clue about planting trees, its disgraceful
RockinJoeDavis on
March 27th, 2010 4:39 am
You are supposed to landfill the surface plants in the fall. Why all the nasty and racist comments folks, there is no food being grown and no forced labour involved. The vacant property looks good with sunflowers.
DavesTreeFarm on
March 27th, 2010 4:52 am
J-ing the roots are more of a problem with bare root planting. I know you said in one of your vids that bare root were uncommon where you are. Here in Texas they are very common. Cheers.
LordeSloth on
March 27th, 2010 5:21 am
Dang, I really want to bond with nature Albertan style, yet if that includes bonding with that many black flies…
the little black flies, always the black flies no matter where I go, I’ll die with the black flies picking my bones…
My boundries seem violated with 3 of them, or or just take 1 determined blud succa, trying to nest in my ears.
But, I suppose it’s a case of imersing oneself completely; whence-for you either adapt, or retract.
I’m going to need a steady pair…uh, of boots I mean.
WestmountEstates on
March 27th, 2010 5:32 am
I fackin love the vid…whats the song? But man your guys plantin looks a lil harder than dibble planting!!
heirunapparent on
March 27th, 2010 5:39 am
The lead ends up in the plants and is extremely bio-available in that form.
And you feed that stuff to women’s shelters?
Lead phytoremediation simply ends up with the lead in the plants!
Henry I. Miller has navigated successfully a very challenging course as a popular writer: weaving together a basic education in bioscience and biotechnology and an orientation to the public policy arena and its responses to scientific advance for a general audience. His book could not possibly be more timely for those of us living in Sonoma County, California as we are facing a ballot initiative in November, 2005 which would ban GMO products and research in our county. This initiative was conceived and is being pushed by the very forces identified and analyzed so well in The Frankenfood Myth. Without this excellent resource, we might have entered this contest unarmed. The book is necessarily detailed and needs to be followed closely. It is not a light read, but then the subject is inherently complex and needs to be treated with appropriate sobriety and seriousness. We are living through an exciting new stage in the evolution of agriculture. The Frankenfood Myth invites us to study and understand that evolution and gives us the means to avoid the fears and terrors which sometimes accompany rapid change while keeping our political balance.
Rating: 5 / 5
YouAdamNazzkl0wn on
March 27th, 2010 5:59 am
How come there weren’t any black people working??
what do you do with the sunflowers that are full of lead??
corn is a waste of time on a small scale.
but keep on rocking!!
RockinJoeDavis on
March 27th, 2010 6:08 am
Good for you! Phytoremediation is remediation done by plants. Where did the lead in soils come from?
bestbeer1986 on
March 27th, 2010 6:20 am
looks cool.. was that a Summit crew.. one of the girls there I planted with in 2005 was in it.
Cheers, I don’t plant anymore… did my ACL in while skiing in the Kootenays this winter.. but maybe in the future.. who knows!
garnethertz on
March 27th, 2010 6:36 am
Since when did planters stop kicking holes shut?
slimirishguy on
March 27th, 2010 6:59 am
Hey any word on the full thing? it looks awesome. i’m headin out in like 8 days. Only thing is i gotta fly over from ireland first. I uploaded a video i made last summer; search for “milo planting” and you’ll find it. awesome
vitabio on
March 27th, 2010 7:34 am
The solid portion of municipal waste water deposited at the bottom. Through years of accumulation, it becomes heavy sludge.
vitabio on
March 27th, 2010 8:02 am
The solid portion of municipal waste water deposited at the bottom. Through years accumulation, it becomes heavy sludge.
justfoo2006 on
March 27th, 2010 8:14 am
So how did the sludge accumulate in the first place? Just curious.
DashHopes on
March 27th, 2010 8:39 am
Loved planting not sure i could do it now that i hit 40!…lol…
It is time for people to stop being frightened of gene splicing, etc. when it is the answer to so much hunger and resource consumption. If we are really serious in helping third world countries as well as our own, we must quell these fears of genetic engineering causing us to erupt with three eyes or similar deformities while those in need of such resources are denied the benefit of crops that could relieve their situation.
Rating: 5 / 5
David Harper manages a biotechnology investment firm and is a research associate in the Zoology Department at the University of British Columbia. He draws on both his financial and technical expertise in his book Investing in Biotech.
The first half of the book presents the science of biotechnology at a level appropriate for the intelligent layperson. He explains the difference between biotech and traditional pharmaceuticals (large molecules often produced by the human body versus small molecules), describes the framework of disease (anatomy, physiology, pathology, and treatment), presents the various approaches to developing biotech drugs (e.g., gene therapy, monoclonal antibodies, antisense), and identifies specific types of disease which biotech products may treat (cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, transplantation).
The second half presents factors to consider and strategies to employ in biotech investing. A biotech company’s pipeline of potential future drugs is the most important factor in evaluating its investment potential. However, the value of each individual pipeline drug must be evaluated in terms of its progress through the process of clinical trials leading to approval and each drug must be assigned an appropriate weighting which increases as the drug progresses through these trials. Harper also presents his own formula for determining the value of biotech stocks which I have not seen elsewhere. It uses book value, share price, sales per share, and cash per share to estimate a stock’s “financial valuation”; shares outstanding, average daily volume, institutional investment, and volatility (beta) to estimate “liquidity”; and present share price together with the 52-week high and low to represent “scope for growth”. These three components are then combined to determine the overall valuation.
This approach appears to be heuristic rather than one grounded in classical financial valuation theory (as presented, for example, in Investment Valuation by Aswath Damodaran). Harper’s approach may be particularly useful in valuing companies that are not currently profitable but would be more convincing if he provided either an explanation of how the formula was developed or historical data that justifies its use.
Harper concludes by applying his formula to evaluate the investment potential of numerous biotech companies as of the date of his writing. He stresses that this evaluation is only valid at that one point in time and will change with the rapidly changing technology and financial status of the companies.
Overall, Harper’s book was interesting and very helpful in understanding the science of biotech. I would caution against using his approach to allocate a major percentage of any portfolio to biotech stocks (which Harper does not advocate). I don’t mind an occasional small bet on a currently unprofitable company but prefer to invest primarily in companies (including some biotechs) with current and growing profits.
In addition to Damodaran’s rather technical book cited above, a reader interested in this area might also consider Michael Murphy’s Every Investor’s Guide to High-Tech Stocks and Mutual Funds which covers biotech and other forms of technology from an investor’s viewpoint.
Rating: 4 / 5
Edited by food science and health experts Barbara M. Lund and Paul R. Hunter, The Microbiological Safety of Food in Healthcare Settings is a scholarly textbook useful to students and professionals in all aspects of the food industry, yet especially invaluable to physicians, doctors, and nurses responsible for controlling the effects of food-borne pathogens and protecting those patients who are most vulnerable. A variety of experts in the field present in-depth information concerning properties of microorganisms that cause foodborne disease, issues concerning provision of food and water in healthcare settings, practical implementation of food safety management systems in healthcare settings, and much more. Black-and-white charts, graphs, and illustrations enhance the instructive, in-depth text. “Considerable caution must be used if reheating is carried out using microwave ovens. Only ovens designed for commercial use must be used and these only according to the manufacturer’s instructions (NHS, 1996), and it is essential that a temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius for 2 minutes should be achieved in all parts of the food. A commercial microwave oven must have a suitable defrost programmed if it is to be used for thawing frozen food.” Highly recommended for intermediate to advanced food science students, and a lifesaving “must-have” for healthcare professionals.
The Frankenfood Myth provides, rather colorfully, a history of the regulation of food and drugs in the U.S. and an interesting insider’s take on the motivation of the federal employees doing that regulating. It also represents a different point of view in the debate over agricultural genetic engineering. Its authors disagree not only with the not-for-profit organizations like Environmental Defense and Greenpeace, but also with companies in the biotech industry like Monsanto and Novartis, about how to appropriately regulate the products of this “new biotechnology.” More middle-of-the-road and consumer-oriented organizations, like the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology and the Center for Science in the Public Interest, aren’t approaching it correctly either, the authors contend. Even the National Academy of Sciences, at least in its reports released since genetically engineered crops have been commercialized anyway, has it wrong! Miller and Conko’s position may, in fact, be unique.
But their main point–that gene-spliced organisms, particularly crop plants produced for food and drugs, are being regulated too stringently in the United States–is not, in my opinion, adequately documented or otherwise substantiated enough to be convincing. And some of their supporting issues–such as those related to process vs. product, the adequacy of post-market policing, the effects of labeling–struck me as inconsistent as well.
For example, the authors claim, with no citation, that the “regulatory requirements for gene-spliced plants and foods have been ratcheted up steadily for nearly twenty years….” But, over the last nearly twelve years, the USDA has reduced, not “ratcheted up,” much of its regulation of gene-spliced organisms–at least of those intended for food (as opposed to drug) production. It created a simplified notification procedure for some varieties of gene-spliced corn, cotton, potato, soybean, tobacco and tomato in 1993, for example, and in 1997 it extended that notification procedure to include all non-weed plants. And, as mentioned in the book, the FDA rigorously regulated the bacterial protein present in every cell of the first, commercialized, whole, gene-spliced food as a “food additive.” Going from that level of regulation to the voluntary system FDA uses today doesn’t support the authors’ “ratcheted up” description either.
Miller and Conko also claim that the “voluntary consultation procedure” currently in effect at the FDA is “voluntary in name only” because “in fact every gene-spliced plant variety commercialized so far has undergone premarketing review.” But they give no reference to back up this important claim. And, given that the system is voluntary, it may be impossible to actually establish it as fact.
As to the EPA, which regulates gene-spliced organisms that produce pesticides, and the USDA’s oversight of drug-producing crops, the authors’ “ratcheted up” regulation comment still doesn’t seem to support their broader thesis of “unwarranted regulatory oppression.” Over the last decade, all the regulatory “incidents” involving gene-spliced crops–like the putative allergen that got into our food supply, and the animal vaccine that contaminated a soybean crop–occurred in spite of the “oversight” of these two agencies. For EPA and USDA to have “ratcheted up” their regulatory requirements in response to these kinds of incidents seems both warranted and appropriate.
In sum, The Frankenfood Myth outlines problems with the way gene-spliced organisms are regulated in the U.S. It does so using adjectives like “witless” and nouns like “nincompoopery,” and so may be especially entertaining for people who like that sort of thing. But Miller and Conko’s case for less regulation being the solution to these problems was, for me, too often inconsistent and inadequately documented to be persuasive.
Rating: 3 / 5
“Real World Drug Discovery” sounded very interesting, which is why I ordered it. It reads like a text book & is beyond my knowledge. I did mention it to my son, who’s working on his Master’s in Cellular Biology. He said it sounded like a book he’d be interested in – so its on its way to Dallas.
Rating: 5 / 5
Miller and Conko deserve much credit for their painstaking presentation and research. They document and present the issues of what has gone wrong with biotechnology regulation and public confusion and unawareness of the issues. A MUST for anyone who has any interest in thinking about our world.
Rating: 5 / 5
Second – the CD has examples that are poorly and inconsistently formatted. To use them, you’d have to spend time formatting everything. They should have used fonts, styles, etc. that are used in standard documents.
Thirdly – the book is huge so you’d expect more information on what to put in a Purpose, a Scope, etc. You don’t get that. Instead you get a bunch of examples that must have been pulled from one or two companies.
If you are a professional writer like me, you don’t want to waste time. You want something in template format that you can easily adapt to your company’s product.
If there had been a review of this – I never would have bought it. I’m sorry but this book could have used an Editor. It was so disappointing and I’m so happy that Amazon understood my feelings and accepted the return of this book.
For a potential writer – here is a market! There are startup or small biotech/biomed companies that are trying to meet FDA regulations on SOPs and other related documents. Write a book and provide a CD with decent templates and examples! Hey, maybe I should do that. Good luck. I haven’t found any other book that would help either….
Rating: 1 / 5
While the title and subtitle of this book were rather eye-catching, the book itself was a little flat and at times disjointed. It’s one thing to discuss the potential for the use of stem cells in regenerative meddicine, or the use of nuclear transfer as a cloning technique. It’s a whole other ballgame to discuss this side by side with caloric restriction diets, cryonics, and some of the other transhumanist mumbo jumbo that Alexander talks about.
Scientific progresses generally trickle into mainstream medicine as can be seen by the ability to live with every day disorders like myopia, asthma, and colds or even thosee healthy with the HIV virus. But what about those who take scientific progresses and try to propel them into a science fiction novel. Thats what the author here does. Perhaps he was going for a provocative book, wanting to draw attention to how biotech COULD change the world around us. But in reality, he left out the current advances and the medical implications and spends TOO much time talking about the transhumanists.
I would have preferred an indepth look at the scientists and the science. If you like books about stem cells please check out Cynthia Fox’s “Cell of Cells”. That was a book that discussed the directions of stem cells, with interesting stories and less meanderings into fictitious what-ifs.
Rating: 3 / 5
TheBrassHole on
March 27th, 2010 11:53 am
So much regulation. wow
TheBrassHole on
March 27th, 2010 12:58 pm
I hope you’re planting more than one type of tree.
A chemistry degree or even a post-doc is the ticket to the dance; you won’t land in the pharma or biotech industry without it. However, once you have a job within this specialized field you’ll find that much more is required to excel. A working knowledge of other disciplines–scientific and non-scientific alike–is needed. One may find that what you weren’t taught and don’t know is as deep a pool as your knowledge base–and wider. Adequate cross-disciplinary apprenticeship may take up to fifteen years. School is not out quite just yet.
The new researcher needs a practical guidebook to help him or her navigate these waters. Real World Drug Discovery is just such a short-cut toward accelerated career growth. The author has nearly 30 years of broad experience with major companies in the field, as well as extensive involvement in both the academic and government environments. You can trust this guiding hand. The table of contents is helpful and detailed for ready reference. Fully indexed.
Good book, talks about things from both the scientific and economic standpoint, which are critical elements in drug discovery. Although written for the scientific reader, this is also invaluable to a prospective or current investor in pharmaceuticals (assuming they at least have some background in the sciences) since it makes you understand the processes involved in getting drugs to the market. Chapters are well written to spool you up on terminology that you may have forgotten, so I appreciated this as it’s been years since I’ve been out of the synthesis labs.
Rating: 5 / 5
aborticai on
March 27th, 2010 1:26 pm
Unless love leads you back, avoid going the same place twice.
djbolivia on
March 27th, 2010 1:34 pm
The music used in this video may now be downloaded (for about a dollar) from iTunes, AmazonMP3, Rhapsody, Napster, and Shockhound. Just do a search on “Some Place I’ve Never Been” by Mike Allison.
I wanted to like this book. However, I found the writing very droll. I just couldn’t feel the emotion, the ideals, the “rapture” of the subject matter. Instead, the book is bogged down in endless and pointless biographical details…this person did this, and then this, and so on. Maybe I’m not giving it the benefit of the doubt, but there are other books on transhumanism I found far more interesting, informative, and readable.
Rating: 2 / 5
460maxx on
March 27th, 2010 2:21 pm
im going to florida on my birthday with parents and my brother
amanda1996ing on
March 27th, 2010 2:25 pm
that video waz sad why cant hunters just leave them alone everyone should help save panthers
djbolivia on
March 27th, 2010 2:43 pm
Correct. So a good foreman or crew boss will make sure that everyone on the block is planting acceptable quality, and not let some of his or her favorite people plant sub-par trees while other planters are forced to plant above-average trees to make the overall average work out.
TheLioness82 on
March 27th, 2010 3:19 pm
That’s so adorable my favorate big cat is the lion but i love all big cat’s there such beautiful animal’s all my room’s in my house just has picture’s and ornament’s of big cat’s SAVE THE TIGER.
This is a textbook like book that is way, way beyond me. I’m guessing you’d have to be an upper division Chem student, or an engineer of some kind to be able to grasp what’s between these pages. Fortunately, I know some people in Trinidad who would really get some use out of this book.
My hubby Dub and I live half the year on a sailboat in the Caribbean and we know some guys who work offshore on oil rigs, who we see quite often when we’re in Trinidad. We brought them down a pipeline book and this one as well. One guy, in particular, was very pleased with this book. He has a son starting Med school and he says this would be right up his alley.
Our friends down there say this is a five star book all the way and I’m going to have to defer to them in their rating, as they are vastly more qualified than me when it comes to a book like this. If you’re thinking about purchasing this book, I hope what I’ve said helps and I’m sorry I couldn’t be a little more informative about it.
Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne
Rating: 5 / 5
jaydoubleyou23 on
March 27th, 2010 3:36 pm
So what youre saying is that the forrester usually evaluates the trees planted as a team and not individually?
Brian Alexander writes about many people I happen to know. In fact, his description of the Extropian movement in the early 1990’s made me rather nostalgic.
But he doesn’t seem to understand why people would want to conquer aging and death, and he performs a disservice by characterizing the movement as a “religion,” by which he means a belief system that’s impractical or lacking factual support. Scientists have radically extended the lives of certain species of laboratory animals in apparent good health. Because of the conservative nature of the genome across species, similar biochemical pathways probably exist in humans that we might be able to use to retard aging and greatly extend our healthy lives well past 120 years.
Religions, by contrast, don’t have anything like an animal model to demonstrate that their beliefs can send animals’ “souls” to otherworldly heavens, much less human “souls.” So comparing physical immortalism with a religion is patently absurd.
Still, I gave the book three stars because Alexander provides some valuable information and historical insight into a social movement that promises to revolutionize the human condition, unless the Kassian “Yuck” faction succeeds in suppressing it.
Rating: 3 / 5
This book is an excellent resource for those wanting to understand the development cycle of pharmaceuticals and the factors that influence discovery, development, testing, approval, and marketing.
Having diabetes, I participate in pharmaceutical studies. Nothing on the market has ever been able to truly get my A1C where it needs to be despite careful diet, exercise, changing physicians, and being vigilant about not missing my medications. I most enjoyed the “Periodic Table of Drugs”.
I have had many friends who work in the pharmaceutical industry, and this book expanded my knowledge and helped me to better understand the industry and how it works.
If you have a good understanding of chemistry, biology, and business, you’ll be able to understand and appreciate this book. Pre-med students who are interested in medicine but not necessarily a career as a physician might get some good ideas on other career paths from this book. Gifted high school students interested in a career in Bio-Technology might also get something out of this, but for those without a background or education in science might find this a difficult read at times.
Rating: 5 / 5
4700dan on
March 27th, 2010 3:58 pm
I love cougars
4700dan on
March 27th, 2010 4:34 pm
cougars are my favriot animal and big cat in the wourld.
carebear1234567890 on
March 27th, 2010 4:35 pm
they cant set them free because they are going extint. you need to have them reproduce more and more until its “under control”. but yet then may get run over as so many of them have. . .
If you are interested in a critical review of the Biotech issues, this is NOT the book for you. If you are searching for arguments against GMO’, big business, and pro big government; you have found a source. Daniel Charles has hidden neither his bias nor his ignorance of the subject. He draws on old studies (Monarch Butterfly larvae) and does not discuss the latest findings, because the latest findings do not support his position. He hangs adjutives on employees of the business world to ensure the reader knows they are “evil”. The ineptness of big government is never addressed. Having served as a military officer, I can tell you that if the military had been as one-sided in dealings with Mr Charles’ employer (NPR), the military would have been brought to task… It is a shame we have not discovered the gene to improve critical thinking, Mr. Charles soarly needs the modification.
Rating: 2 / 5
willwick on
March 27th, 2010 5:23 pm
Why cant you guys set them free?
floridapotter on
March 27th, 2010 5:27 pm
Great job Julie!
Lovely tribute for the week…and into the future.
Thanks for the preview of Sophia, she looks pretty comfy here.
sasukelovesjessenia on
March 27th, 2010 5:45 pm
ahw there so cute and any cat animal is my fav animal i hope that when im 18 in 3 years i can work there
The contemplation of genetic engineering and many other modern technologies frightens many, and a study of this book reveals that the author is one of these people. But instead of just quaking with fear and living life shivering and shaking, the author presents a case, and a fairly good one, for dealing with the risks of genetic engineering, particularly in the use of transgenic strategies in human and animal foodstuffs. Much of the discussion in the book relies on anecdotal evidence, and sometimes the author makes unsubstantiated claims (such as the discussion on Long Term Capital Management) about the attitudes and intentions of those who are involved in genetic engineering, either in a commercial or a regulatory context, but as a whole the book is a good presentation of the risks involved in this technology. All interested parties should read it, particularly those (such as this reviewer) who are die-hard advocates of genetic engineering. Understanding the risks will assist in sharpening the tools of genetic engineering, making it more efficacious in terms of the health of all biological organisms.
The author’s attitude is refreshing in that she does not express the excess of veneration that is typically displayed towards experts and professional scientists. She is also quite rare among authors in this regard, and her cautionary advice regarding this type of veneration is welcomed. She is careful though to distinguish between the uncritical adulation sometimes paid towards scientists and the denial of the scientific method itself. The author is aware that the path to scientific truth is full of missteps and mistaken hypotheses, but as a tool science is the method to human health and sound medicine.
The author ends the book with brief descriptions of the two latest “threats” to biological stability and human health, namely nanotechnology and synthetic biology. She cites some of the research dollars that are apparently being poured into these technologies, particularly the former. It must be remembered that a commercial product that is advertised to be based on say nanotechnology or some other “exotic” technology may in reality be rather “plain vanilla.” Just because a product is marketed as having certain properties does not mean it really does. There are many, many examples of false advertising in the marketplace, and displaying a product as the “latest thing in nanotechnology” does not mean that it is. Individuals who feel threatened by nanotechnology may therefore be worrying about something that is actually quite benign and simple. But as this book demonstrates, worry and fear must be replaced by sound advice, and seeing the “big picture”, as the author puts it, will make all technologies much more effective in the long run.
Rating: 4 / 5
mysunni1 on
March 27th, 2010 5:54 pm
BEAUTIFUL video of BEAUTIFUL cats who deserve to live free of human depredation and destruction. Defend ALL cat species and ensure their continued survival, prey and habitat availability. Big Cat Rescue is the best!
I’m an (unemplyed) agronomist and I live in Brazil.I bought this good book by Amazon.This boook is good and full of informations.
The problem of this book is that, it sometimes makes some mistakes.To example, in prologue is writed that:”Soybeans came from China, corn from Central America and wheat probably originated somewhere in sothwestern Asia.”
The soybeans and corn informatios are correct, but the author couldn’t tells us, that wheat was originated in Middle East.I can understand that an american hate Islam, but I can’t understand why an american author make this mistake such as this.He must remeber that wheat wasn’t domesticated by islamics, but was originated thousands of years before the islamism be created.
Again, on page 41, the author claims that Alexander Graham Bell was a genius.Not correct.Graham Bell, didn’t invented the telephone, who was in fact invented by an italian called Antonio Meucci.Even the american congress realized this fact some years ago.In fact, Graham Bell (a jew) was deeply linked to eugenics movement such as to example: The Wright Brothers,Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, John D. Rockefeller, John P. Morgan(jew as Bell), Lenin(jew), Trotsky (jew), Dr. Morris Fishbein (AMA’s president and also a jew),etc.
Even with this mistakes, this book is good and informative about this subject.
Rating: 4 / 5
TheBrassHole on
March 27th, 2010 6:02 pm
Thank you. 5 stars
BruceIno on
March 27th, 2010 6:20 pm
Hi, scooter.
I didn’t know you are an environmentally concerned when I was in Sackville.
I am going to think about this problem, yes.
I know many of the people outlined in this book and am deeply involved in cloning. Alexander’s portrayal of me and my activities was accurate & pithy but was unduly one-dimensional. However, this is a brilliant work which ties together ideas that have combined within the past decade or so to become a movement called Transhumanism. By connecting the thoughts of early scientific dreamers with the realities of modern day biotechnology, Brian Alexander deserves the glowing cover blurb by Glen McGee: “Brian Alexander has turned the most important scientific revolution since Galileo into an adventure story that touches your mind and soul. No writer has ever dug this deep or looked forward this imaginatively. With Rapture, Alexander has become the voice of biotechnology for the 21st Century.” As a cloning activist, I usually end up debating McGee on the air. However, he is right on target here. Alexander is quite right that science and biotechnology have become a new religion for disparate groups that believe in cryonics, cloning, life extension, etc. Many don’t like the label “religion” because religionists are usually the ones persecuting them. The historic philosophical roots of this religion versus science debate provide a useful perspective to the new debates we are having in this new age. If I could give it ten stars, I would. It is really the most informative “connecting” book I have ever read.
Rating: 5 / 5
colehoffman on
March 27th, 2010 7:02 pm
wow man u got a lot going on. tried to get on your crew this season but it didnt pan out. i ended getting a pretty sweet forman and crewmates anyway. keep up the hard work
BigCatRescue on
March 27th, 2010 7:05 pm
Thanks Julie. It was great to see Sophia’s first online appearance since her rescue.
“Rapture” is a truly interesting book, and worthy of serious consideration. It explores the bio-utopian impulse in modern America, charting the last thirty-some years of research into human biology and how it might apply to a range of issues. These include not only the decoding of the human genome for the improvement of human life, but also the possibilities of life extension for decades and perhaps centuries. Those who advocate life extension see a “brave new world,” pun intended, in which all are healthy, happy, and wise. They view it as the next stage in human evolution. It is a heady goal, one that has consumed some billionaires and fueled a revolution in bio-technology. Public advocates in the United States range from billionaire William Haseltine to Ray Kurzweil, but include thousands more in a subculture known to few.
Advocacy of bio-utopian ideas opens a wide array of ethical considerations, and opposition to it has ensured a rollicking debate between the extreme positions. The bio-luddites, in author Brian Alexander’s parlance, question the morality of altering the human body through genetics, chemicals, or technology. They recall images of Nazi eugenics and the selective breeding of humans. Those in favor, of course, emphasize the positive results of intervention in whatever form it might take.
My own interest in this subject comes from my study of the past, present, and possible future of spaceflight. For instance, one of the truly fascinating developments associated with interstellar spaceflight is the possibility of a trans-human migration. In fulfilling the spacefaring dream, the intelligent life to leave Earth and colonize the galaxy may not be entirely human in form. Extensive discussions have taken place in recent years on the relationship between artificial computer intelligence, biotechnology, and human evolution. In spite of its obvious relevance to space travel, little of this has been extended to outer space, and it is not in “Rapture” either, but it offers a fascinating possibility.
The rigors of galactic flight that will likely confine humans to the inner solar system might not confine reengineered humans that have a cyborg quality about them. Given the great difficulties of interstellar flight, humans reengineered to withstand long duration space travel, possibly iwth technological enhancements might represent the future of spaceflight. The possibilities are truly amazing and somewhat weird, and as remote today from common experience as were the early images of space travel to the people who first envisioned them. Nonetheless, they are not wholly impossible. Because of current directions in technology, a trans-human galaxy is not beyond the realm of possibility. In one such vision, biological species become so technologically proficient that they cease to exist in purely biological form. The possibilities for trans-human evolution has the potential to radically alter the dominant paradigm of human spaceflight.
This interesting popular history of the trans-human movement is an important statement of an evolving debate in modern American society. We see vestiges of it in everything from the controversies over stem cell research to the fight over cloning. While I await a scholarly history of the trans-human movement, this work by Brian Alexander is a fine addition to the literature.
I am not familiar with genetics, genomics, post genomics and all this stuff, but I read Intervention with a lot of interest, as a guide into the unknown.
I would feel more confident if more scientists understood the problems it raises.
Caruso develops an aproach that, I am convinced, we should encourage. An atitude of openness and cautiousness in front of what’s changing and that we don’t know. Be there, participate with a critical mind might be the smartest way of entering the future as we make it happen. Be open to all stakeholders knowledge and understanding might be the safest way to move forward.
This is one of the most difficult thing I can think of. But Caruso is of considerable help with the processes she suggests we should adopt.
Rating: 4 / 5
As one of Daniel Charles’s sources and a very minor character in this book, I was disappointed at how a writer with so much inside information about what happened could tell a story that got what happened so wrong in an effort to make it dramatic and appealing.
Arthur Hailey’s novels Airport, Hotel, Wheels, etc. comprise some of the better books that expose and glamorize the inside workings of an otherwise mundane industry. Of course, if it were really that enjoyable and interesting, they wouldn’t call it work, they’d call it fishing and we’d do it for free. But Arthur Hailey wrote fiction, and he was smart enough to stay off the farm. Not so with Daniel Charles.
The enterprise of agriculture is more mundane than most, if only because it takes months of gradual growth and development to produce a crop, and years of almost imperceptible change to develop a new product. Much of the time is spent just waiting. Turning science into technology can produce beautiful and interesting results without the process itself being either glamorous or interesting. It’s people going to work and doing their jobs. Most of us working in the field believed we knew what could be done and thought we could figure out how to do it. What made the process so difficult were the different visions of that same reality, visions sufficiently disparate that two people coming out of the same meeting had diametrically opposite understandings about what had been said and what had been agreed to. If that sounds like standard operating procedure in corporate America, welcome to the real world. It’s three steps forward, two steps back, day after day. You might as well try to glamorize a trip to the barber shop.
Fact-based? It is. Balanced? It may be. But to at least some of us who were (and are) there, it still reads like fiction.
Rating: 2 / 5
I had to read this book for a class at Cornell (life science entrepreneurship), and have to say I really enjoyed it. You must be into biology to get the beginning of the book, however, or it would appear pretty dry. The end is where most of the business insight comes into play. Overall, the book uses research, interviews, and analysis to paint an impressive picture of the emergence of biotechnology, using both scientific and economic points of view. If you are interested in where your food comes from, this book will both reassure and disturb you.
Rating: 5 / 5
briczar22 on
March 27th, 2010 7:49 pm
I think their population will always be just around 100,,sems like florida can’t or won’t be able to host any more. I guess one good thing is you will never see a panther hunting season in Fla…hopefully
saintjohnmccool on
March 27th, 2010 7:51 pm
Jonathon, I really appreciate the steps you are doing to improve the environment. I especially enjoy your planting trees for over 20 years, that is INCREDIBLE!! we could use a lot more scooters in our lives
thank you and keep up the great work!
Here is a good and informative collection of essays, written from a Christian perspective, concerning the importance of contemporary bioethical issues. Though the authors come from a variety of experiential and academic backgrounds, they are all untied in both their commitment to genuinely Christian cultural engagement and in defending the God given dignity of human beings in an age in which the Christian view of humanity is under increasing assault.
All of the essays are worth reading, but the ones I found most informative and helpful came from Nigel Cameron, C. Christopher Hook, David Prentice, William Saunders, and Page Comstock Cunningham. William Saunders essay was particularly valuable to me for the way in which he demonstrates how the arguments currently used to disenfranchise the human embryo and declare it less than a person are virtually identical to those used by the Nazis to declare certain classes of people “unfit” or less than persons. Hook deals with the issues surrounding “transhumanism” and the altering of the human body through technological modification. David Prentice addresses the question of what it means to be human and how this question is central to issues surrounding research using human embryonic stemcells. He discusses how the use of human embryos for research violates basic ethical norms for research done on human beings, and how there are ethical alternatives to using human embryos in research. Both Cameron and Cunningham deal with issues of strategy in publicly addressing bioethical matters and defending human dignity. Cameron’s essay is particularly valuable for the way in which it addresses our current cultural climate and its relationship to bioethical issues, particularly relating to the culture of abortion. He also addresses well the state of the contemporary church and its preparedness (or lack thereof) to address such important issues.
If you want to be informed about bioethical issues from a Christian perspective, are simply interested in how some Christians are approaching these issues, or are concerned about question of human dignity in contemporary culture, this book is definitely a worthwhile read.
Rating: 4 / 5
honeybearone on
March 27th, 2010 8:52 pm
What instrument was used to measure hydrocarbons ?
This book was just a very pleasant historical overview of the biotechnology growth in agriculture. This presented the various companies that were in competition in the new industry: Monsanto, Dupont and some of the European companies. This was told in a very good story approach, giving different perspectives from different times and from different people (including scientists and protesters). The most interesting part is Monsanto’s comparison as the “Microsoft of biotechnology” due to its predator practice of licensing DNA around their roundup ready seeds. However, they did differ in the approach from Microsoft, as they made the approach from going straight to the corporate farmers in hopes to quickly cash in on the science. I believe this might have been their downfall (and that include other companies that did this too). If they would have followed Microsoft strategy of coming up through the small personal farmers and maybe even the small time gardeners, they might achieved the Microsoft fame and captured most all of the market. Instead, they lost market shares and squabbles in the biotechnology backlash. All in all the book, really gives the story well enough to come away with more understanding of what occurred and part of the scare around genetically modified foods and plants. These companies mentioned in the book all now share science information and are back to a more scientific rather than overly corporate approach. The only complaint that many people have on this book, is it ends at the time right before the biotech is starting to explode again. And excellent read!
Rating: 4 / 5
datxcod on
March 27th, 2010 9:16 pm
Is treeplanting that terrible ? I mean you are doing something for the environment so you should be happy and don’t just think about the money, couch potato mofos.
Nice Jay! I can only smile about the nine years of good and bad times with y’all…somehow I do miss it.
butternuts23 on
March 27th, 2010 10:05 pm
god, 6 years and im out! christ did i hate it, but it paid for uni and then some. what else could offer that?
but i swear, if i see one more dreaded whiteboy…
thx for this, well put together.
Denise Caruso brilliantly articulates issues around genetic engineering with clarity and insight in Intervention. Everyone who cares about issues of the 21st Century, needs to read this book. – Tiffany Shlain
Rating: 5 / 5
anthonypi on
March 27th, 2010 11:08 pm
so was i ..i was on the Common Ground crew from 1980’s..hoedads was teh bomb…
The title of this collection of essays is both a good summary of the book and an important warning as to where we are headed as a society. Certainly the 21st century will be known as the century of biotechnology. Whether genetic engineering, designer babies, human cloning, stem cell research or nanotechnology, the advances in this field will continue apace. But so too will the ethical concerns.
Indeed, what it means to be human, what it is to be a person, and questions of human worth and dignity are all raised in the light of these new technologies. While perhaps all of the technologies are being championed as means to a better human end, many more cautious minds are expressing concerns about the potential for dehumanisation and a cavalier attitude toward life. Very real concerns about the state of personhood and the uniqueness of human life are engendered by the new biotech.
Clear ethical and social understanding of where the new technologies are taking us is thus the order of the day, and the editors of this book are well-suited to the task. They have both been at the forefront of ethical and theological reflection on the direction of the new biotech revolution. Charles Colson has long championed the need for a biblical worldview to assess where western society is heading, and Cameron is a leading bioethicist who has been dealing in these issues for quite some time now. His important volume The New Medicine, penned back in 1991, was one of the early wake-up calls as to where the new medical technologies were taking us.
In this volume we have twelve essays written by experts in the field, experts such as David Prentice, Richard Doerflinger, Wesley Smith and William Saunders. They all offer relevant expertise in the areas of medicine, genetics, the new reproductive technologies, and biotechnology. But they also combine with that expertise the necessary moral, theological and philosophical framework by which to judge these new advances.
Cameron’s opening chapter sets the stage, reminding us that it is not just such fields as embryology and genetics that we need to be up on, but anthropology as well. That is, we need to see the bigger picture of what it is to be human. The authors here all approach their anthropology by way of the Judeo-Christian worldview.
Cameron discusses three developments in the field of bioethics. In the first period, discussion centered on whether and when we should take life, as in the abortion and euthanasia debates. During the second period, the debate was on the making of human life, as in IVF. The most recent period has focused on the manipulation and manufacture of life, as in robotics and nanotechnology. Cameron says this progression really entails talk of taking life to making life to faking life. Not a bad summary of the way biotech has been evolving.
Cameron urges a two-pronged strategy for dealing with these trends. One, a strong pro-life paradigm must be articulated. Two, working alliances with more politically progressive groups may be needed if we wish to stem the tide of runaway Big Biotech.
The other authors also provide stimulating and informative offerings. Most of the big ethical question get a lengthy hearing. When does life begin? Are there limits to science and technology? Who owns our genes? Will a clone have a soul? Are we witnessing a new eugenics? These and related questions are more than adequately covered in this comprehensive and incisive volume.
The meaty chapters in this book focus on a number of the new biotech developments, but all with a view to maintaining human dignity and value. With science and technology fast outstripping our moral and social reflection on them, a book like this a vitally needed to help us think critically, ethically and in an informed manner. Thus this volume deserves a very wide reading indeed.
Rating: 5 / 5
tsferg on
March 27th, 2010 11:18 pm
Hey nice vid J, I hear you are back…..Ill see you in a week.
cornbread77 on
March 27th, 2010 11:47 pm
Don’t worry, you will probably not die. I recommend that you give yourself at least 3 weeks before deciding if you should really quit. If you are going to plant in Ontario, tell yourself “this is my rookie year and it will not always be this horrible.”
CariadSian on
March 27th, 2010 11:48 pm
I loved the Opener, made me laugh. The music was great, really made me think why the hell Im going back to the Bush this summer.
But Good nonetheless.
DashHopes on
March 28th, 2010 12:27 am
I planted in 90, 91 and 93 and i always asked myself why am i doing this before leaving but when you get there it all comes back! Great times!!!
I bought “Intervention” a couple of months ago and found it extremely enlightening, sobering, and supportive of very very careful and broadly inclusive development in transgenics. Hand delivered my copy to the top scientist at work and have e-mailed friends and associates to get “Intervention” and read. This is a highly important pro-science science book that asks right-questions and explains much that needs explaining and proposes a far safer course for continuing development of manipulated creations. More than five stars!
Rating: 5 / 5
ecosource on
March 28th, 2010 1:30 am
I was a member of Hoedad’s Coop in Eugene Oregon planting trees in the 1970’s…your video reminds me…same as it ever was! We had about 30% women on crews and about 10 crews with 20 people each. Wonderful video; it put me in a great mood. Glad you are out there doin it.
Cindy in Alabama
Colson and Cameron do an outstanding job putting together a compilation of essays and articles from some of the top thinkers in the world on the issue of biotechnology and bioethics. Contributors include a who’s-who of lawyers and doctors from groups like the Family Research Council, The Mayo Clinic, and the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. Dr. Cameron himself is a research professor of bioethics at Chicago-Kent College of Law and the president of the Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future. He also directs the Council for Biotechnology Policy (Washington D.C), chaired by Charles W. Colson.
The twelve essays alert the reader to the ethical and legal challenges facing our generation involving embryo research, stem cell research, cloning, generic engineering, gene therapy, pharmacogenomics, cybernetics, nanotechnology, and abortion. The papers are well researched and well reasoned and provide for the reader an excellent insight into the future of this debate from a biblical foundation.
The fundamental issue raised by the book regards the direction of our nation, especially in the area of public policy. Colson notes that the government’s responsibility is not the greatest good for the greatest number (utilitarian theory), but rather the protection of the weak from the strong who would exploit them. That foundational biblical principle should be our guiding light as we enter this public debate – what kind of society do we want for the generations that follow – one that seeks to create life only to destroy it for the immediate benefit of those alive or one that seeks to protect and promote life based on its intrinsic value as a special creation of God.
Rating: 5 / 5
honemastert on
March 28th, 2010 2:22 am
Inspirational..! Thanks for sharing, well done!
kronikskater on
March 28th, 2010 2:34 am
hey i was wondering if anyone knows if companies are still hiring rookies at this time of the year
akorpija on
March 28th, 2010 3:09 am
You need The Force. Easy as it gets then.
djbolivia on
March 28th, 2010 3:53 am
It scared us. Easier to work in a group of four planters of the same speed, to follow each other, rather than trying to find trees in the grass.
An important and interesting book. Important because of the timing as millions of acres of new food crops could conceivably alter the genetic legacy of the biosphere. In considering conceivably irrevocable processes its best to think early and big about unknowns. Interesting because its style combines fascination for ideas with skepticism and sometimes-unmet expectations of intellectual rigor and integrity among the “players”. Out beyond the rhetoric of “right” versus “wrong”, there is cool deep truth to be seeking, honest work to do, and good clean scientific and intellectual fun to be had. This book’s clear eyes live there to inspire and apply far beyond the specific topic.
Rating: 5 / 5
baadbug1 on
March 28th, 2010 4:44 am
This is old technology, all you really had to do is spray the oil slick with Baad Bugs Super Concentrate and with in 1 day all the oil would be gone and converted into CO2 and H2O
djbolivia on
March 28th, 2010 4:47 am
This was taken in quite a few locations in BC and Alberta over the May to July period in 2008.
The music used in most of my planting videos may now be downloaded (for about a dollar per song) from iTunes, AmazonMP3, Rhapsody, Napster, and Shockhound. Just do a search on Mike Allison, and look for songs on the “Tilting At Windmills” album. This particular track (”At Least One Song”) isn’t online yet, but the songs for every other year’s video are online now.
mBlackFly on
March 28th, 2010 5:00 am
wow… was that Robin I saw. LoL crazy seeing past planter I know in random planting videos. Were was this taken
It seems that everyone agrees biotechnology will have a profound effect on our species’ future; where they disagree is how much of a good thing this is. “Liberation Biology” is written by Ronald Bailey, who takes an essentially Transhumanist position on this; that the options given to us by biotechnology will give us longer, happier, healthier lives.
Bailey is a writer for Reason magazine and a libertarian, so it’s choice and freedom that drives his moral arguments. I have a hard time disagreeing with him when it comes to the blatantly paternalistic arguments that he deals with from biotechnology critics like Fukuyama and McKibben. (McKibben’s arguments that genetic selection will turn kids into products and not people are particularly awful, although this may be in how Bailey presents them I suppose). The critics can romanticize suffering, death, and ignorance all they want, but I’d rather improve my chances of choosing where and how I die.
Bailey has more trouble in other areas – although he very effectively deals with concerns over GM food safety, as a libertarian he’s far too inclined to believe that corporations won’t misbehave when they get a good deal of control (as in the case of biotech crops – they’ve obviously helped, but farmers being dependent on one or two companies for their food supply unsettles me).
The book’s biggest issue is the format, however. This is adapted from web essays, and it shows – the topics are disjointed, and the chapters are an odd mess of a tour of current technology and batches of moral arguments. This makes it a slow read; one topic bounces to another, and while it’s true that moral issues are often dependent on specific technology, taking a more planned approach would have read to a better and more readable book – a broad argument instead of a bunch of discussions of individual topics.
Still, it’s often informative, and although due to the fast pace of technology a couple of sections (most notably the stem cell chapter) are somewhat out of date, this will give you a good grounding in a lot of the current science and moral arguments surrounding biotechnology.
Rating: 3 / 5
“Liberation Biology” (LB) reminds me of blogger Glenn Reynolds’s futurist tract, “An Army of Davids,” in that both cover similar material from a soft libertarian viewpoint. While I found both books pretty pedestrian, I think LB should have sold at least as well as Reynolds’s book because Bailey and Reynolds have attracted comparably sized followings on the Web. Instead LB fell dead-born from the press and into obscurity.
I suspect the Prometheus curse accounts for Bailey’s relative failure. Prometheus Books often publishes some very good stuff, especially its critiques of religious and paranormal beliefs. But I notice that its titles usually don’t do that well commercially, much less appear in paperback editions a year or two later. Sam Harris, author of two surprisingly best selling attacks on religious belief, apparently noticed this problem, so he avoided Prometheus when he went shopping for mainstream publishers of his books that unexpectedly made him a pile of money and turned him into the public face of atheism in the U.S.
LB also seems a bit like a cut-and-paste job from Bailey’s writings on Reason magazine’s Website and other online venues. I get the impression that Reynolds put together his book in a similar fashion. I don’t have a problem with writing a book that way, as such. But if you’ve read Bailey’s works online for a few years, the contents of his book will look recycled to you.
The title, “Liberation Biology,” also feels “wrong” coming from a small-l libertarian like Bailey. In the Preface on page 12, Bailey rationalizes his choice of title by writing:
“In the twentieth century, liberation theology was a spiritual movement aimed at helping humanity to overcome political and economic oppression. In the twenty-first century, liberation biology is the earthly quest to overcome the physical and mental limitations imposed on us by nature, enabling us to flourish as never before.”
Even though liberation theology has a strong MARXIST component and Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI have held it in suspicion for that very reason? I would expect a leftist transhumanist like James Hughes to draw an analogy to a Catholic-Marxist syncretism for rhetorical purposes; but not a free-market advocate like Bailey. (In fairness, however, Hughes’s effort at transhumanist outreach, “Citizen Cyborg,” has hardly taken the publishing world by storm, either.)
Beside, we already have a name other than “liberation biology” for “the earthly quest to overcome the physical and mental limitations imposed on us by nature, enabling us to flourish as never before.” We call this “earthly quest” transhumanism, which Bailey mentions in three places early on in LB, but he seems strangely reluctant to use it to describe his fundamentally similar world view.
Bailey does a workmanlike job of arguing for the currently socially acceptable goals of transhumanist thinking, but only that. His writing lacks the energy and moral fervor I’d like to see in making the case for these exceedingly powerful ideas. LB should have sold at least as well as comparable books about the scientific transformation of the human condition, but Prometheus Books’ kiss of death probably doomed it from the start.
Rating: 3 / 5
dreiky on
March 28th, 2010 6:11 am
It already is! We just need to get everyone fluent in how it can be done. No 4 year degrees needed!
milt0nics on
March 28th, 2010 6:47 am
Bioremediation is going to be so important.
luc649 on
March 28th, 2010 6:55 am
I started planting trees in 87 for brink. on Andy and Dev’ crew did’nt even speak english then but I have such good memories of that time, I think it’s Andy on the quad…wish I would’ve kept in touch with the crew.
Ronald Bailey presents both a sensible investigation into human enhancement technologies and an inviting discourse that is better written and more thoroughly researched than most books on the same topic. Bailey does not skirt issues and does not cut and paste information. If you want knowledge that is pertinent and from a voice of logic – read this book!
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a clear and vigorous statement of the libertarian position on biotechnology. Bailey argues for “liberation biology” as “the earthly quest to overcome the physical and mental limitations imposed on us by nature, enabling us to flourish as never before.”
Bailey insists that the technological manipulation of nature to satisfy human desires has been part of human life at least since the development of civilization based on agriculture. Using biotechnology to enhance human nature–to promote our physical and mental health and to extend our life span–is a continuation of this ancient human effort to conquer nature by articial means.
Although he recognizes the need for some legal regulation to secure the safety and efficacy of biotech products and to protect against force and fraud, Bailey prefers to leave adults free to decide for themselves (and their children) whether to employ biotechnology to enhance life. People will make mistakes. But they will learn by trial and error what uses of biotech are desirable and what not. Some people will decide to avoid such biotech advancements–following in the tradition of the Amish and other groups that choose to restrict their reliance on technology.
In arguing for this libertarian position, Bailey attacks both the bioconservatives (such as Francis Fukuyama and Leon Kass) and the Leftist bioluddites (such as Jeremy Rifkin and Bill McKibben).
I find Bailey’s reasoning generally persuasive, although I think that at some points he exaggerates the power of biotech for changing human nature. He appeals to the natural human desires as the moral motivation for biotech–for example, the natural desire of parents to care for the health and happiness of their children. It’s hard for me to see how biotech is going to alter, or even abolish, those desires. (I have elaborated this point in my book DARWINIAN CONSERVATISM.)
Bailey has a clear argument that is forcefully presented. He has made a great contribution to the continuing debate over biotechnology and the future of human nature.
Rating: 5 / 5
neneedumpit on
March 28th, 2010 12:59 pm
this bioremediation that we are doing is with Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission of DENR and not with Gina Lopez. Thanks
snoop8221 on
March 28th, 2010 1:34 pm
This project was headed by Mrs. Gina Lopez I’m so proud of her. I’ve seen her dedication to make this possible. I hope other barangay will also make a way to make ilog Pasig like before. You can also help to this project by texting GIVE(space)ILOG then send it to 2366. either your globe, smart or sun cellular subscriber. thanks.
baadbug1 on
March 28th, 2010 1:42 pm
hours
YouAdamNazzkl0wn on
March 28th, 2010 2:33 pm
carzy looking.. so what’s total treatment timeframe?? Hours or days?
Includes lots of informtion that I either didn’t know or hadn’t considered. Informative, conversation-starting & new-age information!
Rating: 5 / 5
actcleaners on
March 28th, 2010 4:04 pm
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
ACTCLEAN on
March 28th, 2010 4:58 pm
This product actually eats the oil, and is environmentally safe its not just a cover up, and it doesn’t just move the problem like soaking oil in a rag, and throwing it in a landfill, or washing it down the street and into the ground with a pressure washer.
sheleung on
March 28th, 2010 5:13 pm
I’m so proud of all of you!!! You look so cute in your yellow tees.
Andrew Bosworth exposes the insanity of the over-medicated, genetically-modified, hyper-sexualized, country in which we live. So insane, it seems, that we don’t even notice… we’ve been in the rabbit hole all along.
Think government regulation of food and drugs is there to protect you and your family? Think again. Pesticides classified as known carcinogens slip through the EPA because cost saving benefits to growers outweigh the dangers to humans.
Long gone are the days of Teddy Roosevelt, pushing through legislation to protect consumers from the ways of the meat-packing industry. Advances in health and science in the hands of drug companies and agro-business are only making us sicker.
The wall between government and the industries they regulate is a complete facade and we are paying with our health.
Far from being preachy, Bosworth merely lays out the facts – albeit, in gasp-inducing morsels of evidence. I found myself following my husband around the house reading aloud in exasperation at the amount of information that goes completely unreported in the corporate “mainstream” media on the topic.
To name a few:
- Fox News actually fired a reporter for refusing to falsify her thorough and accurate report linking Bovine Growth Hormone in dairy products and illness. (on a side note, the court actually reversed her $425K award for wrongful termination – the judge said that Fox’s forcing her to lie in a news report was not actually illegal. How’s that for government complicity??)
- Big Pharma spends 2-3 times as much on marketing and executive salaries than they do on R&D. (Why develop drugs for a variety of different symptoms, when you can just convince customers that they all have the same ailment?)
- One of the 100 legally binding orders the American government foisted on the Iraqi people? The Iraqi farmers must buy terminator seeds (seeds that cannot be replanted) from American agro-businesses like Monsanto and cannot compete with their own seed – seed they’ve been maintaining for a thousands of years.
Those who listen to “Democracy Now” and other independent media sources can quickly distinguish between real journalism and the press-releases that pass for news in the “mainstream” media. It’s books like Biotech Empire that help the truth get through the noise. I’d definitely recommend reading it, and spreading the word.
Rating: 5 / 5
Dr. Pappas, with many years of experience in the biotechnology industry and as a biotechnology consultant, has compiled a unique glossary aimed at the biotechnology entrepreneur. It is unique in that it bridges the fields of science, business, law and marketing- all essential for the operation of a successful biotechnology business. The eight appendices that include acronyms, biotech recruiters and venture capitalists interested in biotechnology provide much useful information that is not readily available elsewhere. Dr. Pappas did all the legwork to provide a single reference source with a wealth of information. I am sure the biotechnology entrepreneur will find it useful and refer to it often.
Rating: 4 / 5
This is a well-researched and written guide for anyone interested in a VC career. It is primarily targeted at MBAs exploring their options after business school and puts a career in VC in context with the typical MBA alternatives – investment banking and management consulting. Even though as a mid-career executive I am not within that target group, I found this a compelling reading with helpful tips on how to get one of those elusive entry level VC positions through networking and aggressive self-marketing. I ordered this book directly from wetfeet.com and I was charged a whopping $15 for surface delivery.
Rating: 5 / 5
99minerkc on
March 28th, 2010 9:34 pm
How new is the septic tank? I would love to see if the fish could live in a 15 year old system! Also, how much for the complete system installed? Thanks
MikeForester80 on
March 28th, 2010 9:56 pm
well, those seed trees don’t seem to be producing any seeds- it would have been better to do a partial thinning, IMHO.I consider the argument that huge holes in the forest are needed for wildlife to be false- careful partial cutting will also generate some early succession trees and wildlife.
Frankungstein on
March 28th, 2010 9:56 pm
Both look like seed tree cuts on the video.
streamline75 on
March 28th, 2010 10:38 pm
Just to show how the import brand trucks lack what american tracks have and what they will always have
RAW POWER & TORQUE
n421tt on
March 28th, 2010 10:42 pm
Actually, the company I work/ed for has all Tundra’s now. They are really nice in the bush, good smooth ride, reliable. But the new model Tundras (the one pulling out the Red) Are crap compared to the older ones. Bigger frontend (less visibility) Plastic cheap looking dash, uncomfortable seating, etc. The company DID use fords for years though, and I do agree, they are about the best you can get!
Several years ago when I read an advertisement on a digital camera, I came across the word “megapixels”. “What does that mean to the camera?” I wondered. Now that digital cameras are very popular, I can say that most people understand the meaning “megapixel” as it refers to digital camera — 1 million pixel resolution but rating counts the sensors on the CCD, not the pixels in the resulting image (remember that is important.) Biotech is a highly geared up technology nowadays. There are so many words or terms you might not have heard just one year ago. “The Biotech Entrepreneur’s Glossary” (2nd Edition) is a book coming at the right time for entrepreneurs to have a better understanding and to get a perspective on business in biotechnology area. I have biomedical engineering background (Ph. D.). When getting in this area, I was really confused by some words and terms. An example is “differentiation”. In electronics a “differentiator” is a circuit in which the output voltage is in proportion to the rate of change of the input voltage. But “differentiation” in the Biotech Glossary defines it as the process of cell and tissue specialization involving differential gene expression. In addition, some words and terms are hard to find definitions in other dictionaries. For example, “emulsification” which I could not found in “Merriam-Webster” dictionary, is defined in the Biotech Glossary as the “solubilization” of liquids or oil into very small volumes of water.” These are very helpful to an engineer focusing in biotech. At the end of the book there are eight appendices for the most website links and information of biotech recruiters, venture capital firms, and government offices. Those are very useful resources for business startup and financing. Overall, the definitions of words and terms from contemporary biotechnology point of view and the appendices regarding venture capitalists and recruiters make this book very unique and essential to be a book on your desk.
Rating: 5 / 5
n421tt on
March 28th, 2010 11:35 pm
By Turd, are you refering to the boys driving?
actcleaners on
March 28th, 2010 11:55 pm
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
I’m hoping someone can help. I’m looking for a good book regarding cutting-edge genetic and biotechnology research. I’m primarily interested in a ‘big picture’ view of what’s to come over the next 1-2 decades, especially from an investment perspective. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated!
This book is invaluable to people like me who are (a) entering the world of biotech from a different discipline (b) somewhat challenged when it comes to spelling and typing, and remembering all the different TLA’s. I also think the book will find wide acceptance in technical libraries around the world, in countries where English is not the native language. Unlike many such glossaries, this one is compact enough to fit in your briefcase.
Rating: 5 / 5
jakey50 on
March 29th, 2010 12:34 am
U need a Ford my man! Those two turds just make it worse! Next time give me a call I’ll swing by!! nice vid..
Every budding entrepreneur should know and implement strategies and concepts found in this book. As a second opinion on the same brand of practical advice found in my own book, “The Expert’s Edge,” this book offers a terrific launching pad. Get it, read it, study it… do it!
Rating: 3 / 5
Richard Oliver has done an exceptional job of framing the potential of the biotech era in a compelling thought provoking fashion.
The fumdamental change agent characteristics of the biotech age will present unrivaled opportunities for those who have the vision to see it – this book goes a long way in lighting the path.
Rating: 5 / 5
Most of the reviews are written by this guy’s friends. I read the book…if you can tolerate the first 3 pages, then by it. It is free to skim through the pages you know.
This author’s style of writing is not even fit for a high school level. The book lacks real direction, substance, and I want my money back.
Rating: 1 / 5
The Biotech Entrepreneur’s Glossary is a very good book for people from different backgrounds. It includes a lot of information needed for biotech entrepreneur such as terms and abbreviations in biotech, business, fund acquisition, law and patents, etc. Readers can get a lot of information related to biotechnology from this single book without searching around for terms in many different glossaries. This book also has eight appendices including the most important and basic biology terms, biotechnology recruiters and their phone numbers, and even some large venture capital companies and contact information. All these make this book a great tool for biotechnologists and business persons!
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a thorough, well-researched guide to the future of biotech as much as the present. Much of what was predicted in this book (at the beginning of 2000–when Internet fever was at its height) is already coming true. Biotech is indeed replacing information technology as an engine of growth and the cycle is just getting started. This is not an investment guide, but it shows why everyone should have part of their portfolio in this sector. More importantly, it shows that we will reach a point in the future where biotech developments will impact not only our health, but also the state of world hunger, the way we manufacture products, and the way we clean up pollution. If you’re interested in biotech from a business angle, rather than a scientific one, this is a great source.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Biotech Entrepreneur’ s Glossary is a truly useful book for entrepreneurs and others dealing in biotech. It includes a lot of useful terms in multiple subjects relating to biotech business and operations. As an engineer, I find the biochemistry terms and list of acronyms to be especially helpful.
Rating: 5 / 5
As an economist and someone interested in the technology market this book provides a great foundation in understanding biotech and the potential impact for this new industry. A must read for anyone interested in the future.
Rating: 5 / 5
As the genius Kevin Kelly wrote “10 New Rules” for the Network Economy, this book takes the next step on Kelly with 3 principles: 1) Bio-knowledge will explode 2) Micro-innovations impact om macro-scale 3) Quantum leaps in economic opportunities
Very interesting is the race for Nano-technology: Maybe Intel and Microsoft have to speed in hiring chemical engineers, before companies like Monsanto, Amgen, Roche and Pfizer will take over the dot.com-economy. E-commerce goes G(en)-commerce.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is a great overview for someone just beginning to think about starting a business venture, but it seemed to be more focused towards the needs of a large venture, rather than a small business. It covered a lot that I thought would not be applicable to the type of business I want to start — a small town retail shop where I plan to run the business myself and will not hire executives or get funding from investors (other than probably a local bank or the SBA). Perhaps this just shows my ignorance of what owning a small business is about, though!
I also have to express my disagreement with his comments regarding attorneys. (Disclosure: I am currently an associate at a big law firm.) It sounds like he happened to get some bad attorneys. For what it’s worth, my thoughts, based on my own observations of attorneys at large and small firms (my own firms and opposing firms), are this: (1) I don’t think his experiences reflect the services provided by all large law firms — I think the quality of services you get depends on whether you hire a good INDIVIDUAL attorney, not law firm, (2) you are much more likely to have someone “learn on your dime” at a small firm than a large one simply because attorneys at large firms do a lot more business and specialize in certain areas and therefore become more experienced with matters that arise in those areas, (3) most small firm attorneys will NOT be as great as the ones he found, and (4) most partners are so distracted by bringing in business and a million other things that associates are much more likely to focus on your deal, keep things moving quickly, and actually pay attention to the details. I think the ideal arrangement for a small business owner is to find a good associate who has a good partner to ask for guidance on big issues when needed. I just don’t think it’s fair to generalize that all big firm attorneys are terrible and negligent with small clients, or that associates are all clueless and learning on your dime. (I can provide proof in the form of reviews from my large and small business clients!) That all being said, there are some fantastic attorneys at small shops and if you find one, you will pay much less for their services. My best advice on finding a good attorney (whether at a large firm or a small firm) is to get referrals from other business owners.
Rating: 4 / 5
I really enjoyed this little gem of a book. It offers ten simple lessons and is easy to read. I thought that the author’s advice is practical, which appears to be one of the benefits of this book versus so many others.
Rating: 5 / 5
In one vivid parable–the “Story of Stone Soup”–Dr. Gold reveals what is at the heart of the entrepreneurial process. In nine additional chapters, he clearly demonstrates how, step-by-step, the reader can start his or her own business venture. Dr. Gold’s lucid writing style and easy layout help to remove the veil of mystery surrounding the start-up process while imparting to the reader a feeling of, “Hey, I really can do this!”
Rating: 5 / 5
MayaJohnson1407 on
March 29th, 2010 10:09 am
Amazing Game! i cant stop playing it, still! i test loads of games b4 they come out by signing up to “BetaTestGamers” – check them out on google u only need 2 do a short review and u can keep the game
carbot11 on
March 29th, 2010 11:11 am
lol this song is epic, I planted this past summer and alot of the tips are solid, “High ballas dont go back for the last 2 they dropped” , words of wisdom
blueregardsrain on
March 29th, 2010 11:11 am
The right kind of information, huh? You mean like the earth is flat? Or man didn’t evolve but was created? I was infotained alright, I couldn’t stop laughing your sophistry is so patheticly transparent .
clobberdude45 on
March 29th, 2010 11:46 am
I am a treeplanter, planted over 98,000 in my career so far, and I freaking love this video. Get out there and plant some trees folks
Sporatic7659 on
March 29th, 2010 12:31 pm
A so ya move….ur forever bussin shots off wit that lazza!!!
lmao…this was a good view
mikcross on
March 29th, 2010 1:23 pm
The great goat is the patrion saint of all planters…..
saves you from bears, washed out bridges, cougars and such…. also a good source of mushrooms….
its very lucky to have a pet goat in the camp…….
alexpeters on
March 29th, 2010 1:56 pm
This song has made my summer training ten times easier, thanks yo, this video is hype to death. ps you guys got a instr or acapella i can play with on the tables.
dmacosta1 on
March 29th, 2010 2:09 pm
Thanks
fireblaster0020 on
March 29th, 2010 2:30 pm
basically, alchemy is breaking something down and rebuilding it as somethign else, in this case breaking down a plant into medicine (eg. tincturing) technically you would not need a religion, but this is technically a religious study, stop using religion as a source for conflict, it is peaceful
rhesuspieces81 on
March 29th, 2010 2:50 pm
YES YES YES.
enayetashraf123 on
March 29th, 2010 3:22 pm
they are the fake sufis.they have no religion.what is universal religion? u father and son made it? r u muslim? chistian? buddah? u made new religion? who gave u the right? are both of u prophet? fake person both father and son
mikejwise on
March 29th, 2010 3:29 pm
Straight up legit! That video made my whole treeplanting life worthwhile, and well quantifiable. I want to know the story behind the goat too though, I had to rewind three times to be sure I wasn’t hallucinating! Epic guys, wicked job, hope there are more to come in the future!
TexasDogg2008 on
March 29th, 2010 3:41 pm
it’s true about this I use it everytime I clean up a spill for Conoco Phillips in Goldsmith Texas I Remediate all there spills there is money to be made if you like the hard work and paperwork and all the Railraod commission regulations and sampling it’s cool…
kellynelson on
March 29th, 2010 4:11 pm
The spagnum may well absorb, but what cause the bacteria to be able to live in this toxic environment. Without water to allow the bacteria seperation from the toxic oil the bacteria will merely die.
mastfaqir on
March 29th, 2010 4:11 pm
deviant so called sufis
mrsunmusic on
March 29th, 2010 4:22 pm
Impressive stuff, thank you for sharing this with us.
aborticai on
March 29th, 2010 4:41 pm
this is as bad ass as it gets.
haqmoun on
March 29th, 2010 4:45 pm
Wonderful to see you and listen.
TerryByrnes on
March 29th, 2010 4:49 pm
ok to transmit
jasonleesvids on
March 29th, 2010 5:10 pm
same zies
myeyerwideopen on
March 29th, 2010 5:17 pm
I have read a recent article about nanochips and rat dna. this was back in 2005 that scientist had the nano chip but no way to power it, when adding rat dna the chip came to life so to speak,,,it draws its energy from dna, no batteries or chargers needed. we are their powers. Yes these are in chemtrails, yes they are in our skin, if you have morgellons you will know what i am talking about and everyone else…grow up and open your eyes.
roverthedog01 on
March 29th, 2010 5:25 pm
WorshipinTruth. I don’t see a problem here.
Left Hand Path (inc. Luciferianism) is the expansion of the idea of self to include ALL, excluding nothing. Right Hand Path is the self-naughting which says Self/God is ALL, I am nothing. The realization of enlightenment in both cases is the same.
With regard to self it very much depends where you situate the same in the spectrum of consciousness. Obviously my body-self is not ALL.
Ramana Maharshi asks “Who am I?” and the answere is……
myeyerwideopen on
March 29th, 2010 5:25 pm
you obviously do not have Morgellons/nano911….yet. when you are a sufferer you will believe and see with your own eyes
WorshipInTruth on
March 29th, 2010 5:33 pm
You realize that hermeticism is basically luciferianism in its purest form.
mrgalleria on
March 29th, 2010 5:46 pm
Alo ha,
I found one of those, and probably have a lot more. They come with morgelons, straight from chemtrails. See my videos, especially #3.
mrgalleria
glyphman on
March 29th, 2010 5:47 pm
i think ive become dangerously addicted to this video. i cant go a day without watching it at least once.
rockumsockum on
March 29th, 2010 6:09 pm
I know hah
matrixwithin on
March 29th, 2010 6:10 pm
You guys are the best. I’m in the military, but you guys are the real heros. Im going to start donating today.
ofcelticblood on
March 29th, 2010 6:11 pm
Nanobot? Seed or organic/machine larvae migrans?
Monnonava on
March 29th, 2010 6:11 pm
You guys are incredible!! makes me wish I was tree planting again…. and that I was good at … so I could sing “I’m a Top dollar baller!”
bhilaj on
March 29th, 2010 6:12 pm
This is all very nice but SO last millenium. We have to deal with the dangers of the New Order There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for any use of warfare against anyone unless it is in REAL self defence. But hey carry on chanting whilst the cluster bombs are dropping. Where did all that Sufi stuff from the last few decades in the West take us on a collective level to deal with the real problems on the planet? Even Yoga & meditation have become corporate with huge fees!! no cash – no nothing 4 U
R0N1N86 on
March 29th, 2010 6:36 pm
Sooo ballin’
buddho1953 on
March 29th, 2010 6:40 pm
These Sufi Masters are precious pearls in this creation.I bow my head in gratitude.
cpisretartedmuch on
March 29th, 2010 6:59 pm
your username is queer.
MisO6T9 on
March 29th, 2010 7:10 pm
Yeah I seen the video where she moves the object around under the scope. The glow is simply the light from the scope reflecting. Its very obvious in the video where she moves the thing around.
AubreydegreyFan on
March 29th, 2010 7:12 pm
sinkambala, what are you doing to promote the cause besides critiquing what others are trying to do?
sknieling on
March 29th, 2010 7:17 pm
“Aren’t there plenty of anti aging emblems out there?”
No there are not. Or can you show me just one well known emblem which expresses the threat of aging? Maybe you should watch the video again. I was not referring to some cosmetics commercial, but one of the serious side!
“Those will do much more to promote life extension than another emblem!”
Sorry but again, no. Such Videos will only be watched by people who already think that aging is bad instead of making new people aware of the threat!
e1k on
March 29th, 2010 7:21 pm
Extremely pleased with this track Boys , props from an Albertan balla
Sufiquest on
March 29th, 2010 7:34 pm
How lovely to see Pir Zia, and you have done a beautiful job of showing the Abode.
leschwartz on
March 29th, 2010 7:56 pm
Interesting, at 2:31, blue glow from electron ionization?
ewmeiss on
March 29th, 2010 8:01 pm
Very interesting, thank you for sharing.
xapplimatic on
March 29th, 2010 8:07 pm
That being said, however, there’s nothing delusional about an object imbedded in the skin, however it’s possible that someone believing their skin to be infested could by scratching with foreign objects imbed a piece of a foreign object (or several) in the process of uncontrolled scratching and itching. Looks crystalline in nature due to hex shape. The then profile would exclude many minerals.. My guess is a shard of mirror or glass which split laterally the serpent would be scratched coating.
pkrska on
March 29th, 2010 8:11 pm
Hey isn’t that the stuff they put on top of the pyramids? It shines very good in the light. Especially Sun light.
sinkambala on
March 29th, 2010 8:14 pm
aren’t there plenty of anti aging emblems out there? what is one extra emblem going to do?
how about making more videos that promote research on aging or ones that explains the current research to a general audience? those will do much more to promote life extension than another emblem! sorry.
CBass613 on
March 29th, 2010 8:19 pm
hold on…
is that a goat?
Who the hell has a goat in camp? as a pet? I wanna get to the bottom of this. I need to know.
xapplimatic on
March 29th, 2010 8:21 pm
Quoting Wikipedia here: ” Most doctors,[2] including dermatologists[3] and psychiatrists,[4] regard Morgellons as a manifestation of known medical conditions, including delusional parasitosis,[5][6][7] although some health professionals believe that Morgellons disease is a specific condition likely to be confirmed by future research.”
mikcross on
March 29th, 2010 8:48 pm
bridgitte, sherral, ect…
Sparkino on
March 29th, 2010 8:55 pm
you fool!, The layers from a Mirror are much more thicker than that!, and mirrors dont have freaken fibers when you split them!
sinkambala on
March 29th, 2010 8:57 pm
aren’t there plenty of anti aging emblems out there? what is one extra emblem going to do?
how about making more videos that promote research on aging or ones that explains the current research to a general audience? those will do much more to promote life extension than another emblem! sorry.
2222554 on
March 29th, 2010 9:10 pm
The crystalline structure seen in this video is a hexagonal shape…
A hexagon is a six-sided polygon.
AubreydegreyFan on
March 29th, 2010 9:23 pm
randy wicker made the video and posted it on veoh, i just uploaded it on to youtube.
jasonleesvids on
March 29th, 2010 9:26 pm
what are pigeons?
Schnuh330 on
March 29th, 2010 9:28 pm
I agree it looks like mica. especially the shape and thinness of it. i don’t know though. looks a little too metallic and reflective to be mica., but it does resemble it.
isaacnd on
March 29th, 2010 9:52 pm
looks like a chip of mica…known to penetrate and iritate flesh due to sharp edges
wilsnod on
March 29th, 2010 10:03 pm
Not glowing – just reflecting the light like a small mirror as you moved it about. This is just a few tiny crystqals of Mica, as added to many cosmetics these days to give a shiny, glitter effect. The shape is typical and unmistakable.
iplanttrees8875 on
March 29th, 2010 10:07 pm
And they all grow to “higher heights”! That was an impressive high note.
nualgi on
March 29th, 2010 10:18 pm
Hi Telthcelt
The writeup clearly says that Nualgi causes a bloom of Diatom Algae.
Diatom Algae release oxygen.
best regards
Bhaskar
mikcross on
March 29th, 2010 10:19 pm
so true
AubreydegreyFan on
March 29th, 2010 10:21 pm
good luck advancing the Transhumanist movement in Germany, you’d think it’ll be even more popular in Germany cause there is a higher percentage of non religious people over there.
alexpeters on
March 29th, 2010 10:35 pm
how would you plant a straight line without a laser?
fatty32fatty on
March 29th, 2010 10:38 pm
something wrong with my foot have scar and dont remember hurting self and now very ichty
roastbeef4dinner on
March 29th, 2010 10:44 pm
Nice! Makes me want to go planting again.
carajo26 on
March 29th, 2010 11:03 pm
stupid
sknieling on
March 29th, 2010 11:05 pm
This really addresses my point of view.
Actually I’m running a YouTube “contest” for an Anti-Aging emblem which should help to change attitudes. Maybe you wanna join and give it a try?
Telthecelt on
March 29th, 2010 11:10 pm
This all a bit vague. What is really going on here? Is NUALGI just an oxygen-rich chemical to help lower the BIological Oxygen Demand of the lake by allowing aerobes to decompose?
If so why are we getting oxygen being released?
Are the bubbles perhaps not carbon dioxide produced from the enhanced biological action? That would be more likely. If the NA is just breaking up the compacted anaerobic layer on the bottom then the bubbles might be methane, and would bring up some odour I would guess!
sknieling on
March 29th, 2010 11:13 pm
It seems that Schloendorn is really a complicated thing *g* you should add the missing “L”!
Hmm I really like the video but why did you uploaded it as a Response to Kevins Challenge?
And to directly adress the video, it’s true that there is not much progress in Germany, but I’m starting a few things to set off the avalanche and change this
actcleaners on
March 29th, 2010 11:17 pm
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
alqaidaC4 on
March 29th, 2010 11:28 pm
if its not some old cd. than is a micro ufo. but whit some parts mising. i dont kniw what hapend whit that obeckt but it should of been round. if u want consider it ufo.
govermentufo on
March 29th, 2010 11:48 pm
ufo are real peoples should not joke about it i promiss they know where we are …they will appear verry silence . day by day it happen to me last 5 month pass .
fledermaus81 on
March 30th, 2010 12:11 am
Thanks for posting a video.
thegreema1 on
March 30th, 2010 12:11 am
Nano Machine or something from another planet.
Greema
fledermaus81 on
March 30th, 2010 12:44 am
Thanks for posting a video.
guitarist0210 on
March 30th, 2010 12:45 am
its a flake of a rock called mika
pmmcc on
March 30th, 2010 1:06 am
..uhhh….dude…maybe it’s just a piece from a mirror
Neoclassicalman on
March 30th, 2010 1:10 am
@Chabiens777 how is this glitter its, cause obviously its not.
SolitarySilence on
March 30th, 2010 1:19 am
Ive seen something like this on “Strange skies strange days” website.
Oh,and their not mirrors.
BlueOpalMoon on
March 30th, 2010 1:23 am
A tiny mirror. What a waste of time
FreeIndividua on
March 30th, 2010 1:37 am
Thank you so much my friend,this site is AWESOME!
SolitarySilence on
March 30th, 2010 2:09 am
How could this be glitter? Does glitter have a hexagon shape?
Dr. Palombi’s work is a comprehensive examination of the law surrounding the complex social and scientific issue of gene patents. He delves into not only the current practice, and its legal and policy justifications, but the entire history of the law surrounding patents on life-forms and natural products. He tears apart the practice, based on his detailed legal analysis, showing that it is not only illogical, but unlawful. In particular, he decimates the myth that cDNA is somehow something “new” or “inventive,” and illustrates how the existing case law cannot seriously support the patenting of supposedly “isolated and purified” genes. His legal arguments ought to support current efforts to overturn the practice, either through legislative action, or through lawsuits like that recently brought against Myriad, Inc., for its patent on the BRCA1 and 2 “breast cancer” genes. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the debate, as well as those whose lives might very well depend on the debate, including anyone with genetic predispositions to diseases, or with monogenic genetic diseases which have or may already be patented.
Rating: 5 / 5
Chabiens777 on
March 30th, 2010 2:20 am
Looks like glitter bro…sorry. Did you run an EMF meter over the object? Geiger counter? Temp reading…put it under microscope…hit it with a laser? Low Frequency Meter test? High Frequency Meter test? Is it magnetic…capable of being magnetized? Experiment with it…then let us know something.
ladybugsingstheblues on
March 30th, 2010 2:33 am
Isn’t this simply light being reflected as the object is manipulated? I can’t tell that it starts glowing.
Zxvak on
March 30th, 2010 2:41 am
i opened a box of glitter and stuff like this spewed out omg!
DNA: HOW THE BIOTECH REVOLUTION IS CHANGING THE WAY WE FIGHT DISEASE comes from a biochemist and lab researcher who tells how scientists are using biotech to battle disease. While DNA could have been featured in our ‘Health’ section, it’s reviewed here for its wider importance to not only health but science libraries, as well as general public lending libraries where patrons hold an interest in science and health new advancements. It’s a primer on biotechnology for lay readers and assumes no prior scientific or health knowledge to prove quite accessible – and surprisingly lively.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Rating: 5 / 5
phnixlady on
March 30th, 2010 3:25 am
Microlaminates can conduct electricity, braze or weld other things, and resist heat. They are made of layers of Niobium, Aluminum, Chromium, ceramic metals, Silicon, fibers and whiskers. They grow in crystals.Sure sounds close?
phnixlady on
March 30th, 2010 3:29 am
It is not mica, I know my mica. The rainbow foil item and the clear gel item and the fuzz and specks are obviously part of a laminate, and could easily be manufactured even with our older technology. My spouse used to work for Alcoa, and told me about laminates. They invited me to look at their scanning electron microscope, which was a big deal back then…did not get the chance.
Now, what is it for???
thetruthergirls on
March 30th, 2010 3:33 am
They did a lot of heavy, low chemtrailing for 3 days. Right after that, my friend and I both came down with all-over muscle aches like fibromyalgia and I also found dozens of tiny, hexagonal silver things like this in my apartment.
dvmcgovern on
March 30th, 2010 3:43 am
MMS. Get some. It will rid the body of all Toxin’s and Metals. D
Sherwin dedicates the first four chapters to retelling the legends of the Golem, namely his fond memories of his Polish grandmother’s stories. Chapter five is his transition and by chapter six he is debating genetically engineered v. organic foods. He then progresses to the issues of cloning, robotics, and out of control corporations.
The most famous Golem legend is that of Rabbi Judah Loew of 16th century Prague. He was a Kabbalahist, a mystic, who created a Golem by reciting a secret incantation using the tetragrammation of G-d’s name. (Sherwin points out that DNA sequences are also tetragrammations and legend has it that G-d brought the universe into existence with divine utterances.) The Golem is a humanoid creature, usually fashioned out of clay. The Golem is usually mute, has no soul, and is slated for destruction once his mission is accomplished. Don’t confuse the Golem with Frankenstein. The Golem is many centuries older and while it might have influenced Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein the Greco-Roman myth of Prometheus was part of the original subtitle. Rabbi Loew was not a mad scientist, he created the Golem to save his people, and the Golem was always under his control.
Sherwin takes the position that cloning is not contrary to Halacha, Torah Law. He points out that Adam was also fashioned by G-d from the clay and then given a soul. As Eve was molded from Adam’s side neither was conceived. He alludes to man’s having been given dominion over the earth and that we are to be imitators of G-d, not usurpers like those who built the Tower of Babel. Man can not technically play G-d until he creates something from nothing as opposed to taking raw material and refining, transplanting it, etc. What Sherwin does NOT broach is the Torah’s prohibition against crossbreeding species or even planting different crops together. (In fact, orthodox Jews will not wear sha’atnez, clothing that contains fibers from both plant and animal sources.) When I think about this prohibition the calamity of killer bees usually comes to mind.
There is also a bit of confusion surrounding the terminology used describe fertilized eggs or pre-embryos, technically they are zygotes. The zygote does not begin implanting until about a week after conception and is not considered an embryo until the second week. During this two week period the zygote is simply replicating clumps of cells and has no discernable human characteristics. Given that Sherwin has an obvious bias in favor of stem-cell research he should have clarified his opponents’ attempts to obfuscate the general public.
Sherwin’s tone is optimistic when describing future cyborgs, humans and machines combined, but he also offers scary fodder for science fiction writers. What I found most riveting was the chapter, “Corporate Golems.” He gives a brief history of corporations in the US and Europe. He compares corporations to the Frankenstein monster, as they have incredible rights and power and very few responsibilities and liabilities. His case in point is I.G. Farben, Nazi Germany’s conglomerate. He makes a case that without the prompting of I.G. Farben , who wanted slave labor, the Nazis would not have been able to terrorize Europe. After the war Farben was supposedly punished, by being broken up into smaller corporations, each of which today is larger than I.G. Farben. Most chillingly he points out that American corporations like Ford, IBM, Standard Oil, and DuPont continued to do business with I.G. Farben during WWII. If these were individuals they would have been prosecuted for treason. Not only does Sherwin compare this to the Frankenstein monster, but likens it to the sci-fi scenario of AI, artificial intelligence run amok. In other words humans create corporations, corporations slowly begin gaining control over society, then they become unstoppable and cases like I.G. Farben commit mass murder with impunity.
Rating: 4 / 5
IntelligentCreature on
March 30th, 2010 4:15 am
wow!!!!
morgellons is real…..and its complicated
moedigs on
March 30th, 2010 4:21 am
This video is a finalist in the EPA video contest!
ogrishTWO on
March 30th, 2010 4:22 am
where did you get this sample? It could be “smart dust”.
FreeIndividua on
March 30th, 2010 4:32 am
I can’t understand-why nobody protest about chemtrails?????????????
dvmcgovern on
March 30th, 2010 4:42 am
Theresa Have you tried MMS for your Morgellon’s? D
cristinga on
March 30th, 2010 4:44 am
You are right,this is not nano technology but I don´t agree with you in saying that Morgellons( same word different phatology) is a parasite pathology.Google Dr Hildegard Staninger.
2peacegrrrl2 on
March 30th, 2010 4:50 am
So, do you live with this like I do? Just how “natural” are your parasites because I have always thought from the first day I noticed my disease that it was apparent they were not “totally natural”. Look up nanobio interfaces and learn how they can “create” critters that are both organic and inorganic at the same time.
lucywarner on
March 30th, 2010 4:52 am
Your friend is sick, it might be an allergy to the metal in that object. Get the object tested right away. She might walk away well.
She might have metal or toxic poisoning. Just my point of view. If you want to live, you have to fight for your life.
scopein79 on
March 30th, 2010 4:53 am
No glowing: reflection. Btw, we’re far from nano scale since this thing is bigger than the needle point!
Also, morgellons seem to be parasites that are totally natural… why invoke nanotech?
spankypirate81 on
March 30th, 2010 5:04 am
???????????
???????????????What a load of crap.
??????????????????
?????????????????
?????????????????
??????????????
killingmylobster on
March 30th, 2010 5:05 am
We love Fred…At first I thought it was Robert Plant but then I recognized him…Yep that’s Fred.
crystalsaiyan3 on
March 30th, 2010 5:32 am
im not trying to hate it but i think people who think ufo is VERY real should cool down and take a break.well i also watch ufo vids posted by others but i dont try and being serious about it.
emilymorrison on
March 30th, 2010 5:35 am
Eco-friendly funniness rocks.
Metania01 on
March 30th, 2010 5:39 am
NO WONDER BEES ARE DISAPEARING.
JordanProtocell on
March 30th, 2010 5:39 am
Forget what I said about the hair… these are mica crystals partially embedded in the skin (simple pressure on edge would make them stick). Mica falls apart in hexagonal leaflets just as it did after handling with the needle.
actcleaners on
March 30th, 2010 5:44 am
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
superpsilocybin on
March 30th, 2010 5:53 am
?????????????
???????????????Thats for waisting
??????????????????my time.
?????????????????
?????????????????
??????????????
TheresaMorgellons on
March 30th, 2010 6:16 am
Please learn about glitter.
Did you know that glitter is manufactured in layers? Exactly as I see here.
This is no mystery object.
TheresaMorgellons on
March 30th, 2010 6:26 am
I agree with silver5a, this is mica.
Glitter is made with MICA.
Glitter is all over our environment.
Please have someone confirm that for you.
I suffer this disease and we must be “sane” if we want real medical help.
actcleaners on
March 30th, 2010 6:31 am
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
MeteoritesPlus on
March 30th, 2010 6:40 am
That’s a reflection not a glow…
uberjim83 on
March 30th, 2010 6:41 am
Sorry about that. I just looked up “morgellons” on wikipedia, and now I have to add it to the long list of words that require me to stop listening to you when you use them in anything but an ironic sense.
lucywarner on
March 30th, 2010 6:43 am
You should take it to a lab and get it analyze. Get some facts. Then go from now.
This book will not give you the information you are looking for in terms of workplace culture, hiring info, etc. All it does is provide background information on how the company was started, some of the drugs each company sells, and recent news events regarding each company. The “hiring” section just provides a website where you can go to apply for jobs which you can easily find on your own from ANY pharmaceutical company’s career page.
In summary this book is just a collection of all the major pharmaceutical companies out there with a quick bio on the company, how it was founded, what some of there major drugs are, and recent news events regarding each company. I am dissapointed because the description makes it seem like you are going to get insider info on what its like to work for each company, how to get hired, etc…. but it does not provide any of that. Save your money. You can easily get all of this information by googling a pharmaceutical companies name and reading what they have online about each company.
A total waste of money.
Rating: 1 / 5
ellabella1616 on
March 30th, 2010 7:04 am
I love ya fred!
uberjim83 on
March 30th, 2010 7:24 am
It was a baby chemtrail! When they grow up they get dumped out of planes and DESTROY US ALL, DESTROY US ALL, DESTROY US ALL, DESTROY US ALL!
3190423 on
March 30th, 2010 7:30 am
# Silicon maple seeds
* Using a honeycombed layer of silicon only 0.1 mm thick we have made a 3×10 mm winglet. With a cubic millimeter of silicon attached, these wings auto-rotate as they fall, just like a maple seed. The next generation will have solar cells built right in.
johnhart30 on
March 30th, 2010 7:33 am
The glow is called a reflection from a light being omitted onto it. You can see the light comes from the northern direction atop the video.
prevenge on
March 30th, 2010 7:50 am
do some research
google “smart dust” and click IMAGES.
this stuff comes OUT of our SKIN and it HURTS when it comes out.
laugh all you want .
aptusshooter on
March 30th, 2010 8:22 am
I have found similar stuff near a Air Force base . It also comes in larger chunks . I was told is was residue from chaff . To me this looks like light reflecting off of it .
JordanProtocell on
March 30th, 2010 8:30 am
Yes, I think I will have to agree with silver5a. Moregellon’s or not, this is not a human secretion. The “spring” we see is probably a hair (stuck with sweat). I will watch the last one too but I don’t think mica is unreasonable at all. Perhaps if you tried pulling it with tweezers instead of poking it with a needle it would be easier to tell what it was? Here, we have to assume it is not directly attached to skin.
revolutionpm on
March 30th, 2010 8:50 am
I think it is a pair of scissors or tweezers that keeps moving the crystal.
dustinmac2009 on
March 30th, 2010 8:58 am
Have heard great things about this product!!!
silver5a on
March 30th, 2010 9:13 am
You’re such an amateur. Looks like MICA look it up. If you’re realy worried take to a geolgist who has better tools. Sheesh
blh9901 on
March 30th, 2010 9:17 am
Great intructional video on this chemical!
actcleaners on
March 30th, 2010 11:44 am
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
TubeVideoPro on
March 30th, 2010 2:02 pm
Everyone needs to know about “Permaculture University Costa Rica” because this course is amazing! It’s located at “Osa Mountain Village” which is one of the most beautiful places on earth and a sight to you must see in your lifetime. Take my word for it, get there as fast as you can and you will LOVE every minute of it.
actcleaners on
March 30th, 2010 3:01 pm
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
actcleaners on
March 30th, 2010 6:36 pm
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
MsLuvs2spooge on
March 30th, 2010 9:40 pm
cool
actcleaners on
March 30th, 2010 10:04 pm
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
zouti38 on
March 31st, 2010 12:14 am
la classe!! Bon courage pour la suite
Antoine
OilGoneEasy on
March 31st, 2010 1:48 am
No cleanup is required. Just pour in and the product constantly catches and biodegrades any oil or fuel that leaks. One quart of Oil Gone Easy S-200 usually lasts approximately 3 months for a boat of up to 25′ in length.
RikWCrlsn on
March 31st, 2010 2:45 am
what do you do with it after it cleaned the bilge? do you need to rince?
PaigeInNYC on
March 31st, 2010 6:10 am
And this is only your second video!?!?! Im really getting scared now……not for or of you, mind…. But for the up and coming and current directors out in the world…. They should really be aware that a force like the one within you would simply RUIN THEIR CAREERS!!! lolol
This is absolutely gorgeous beyond any words I could try to muster right now.
*JOY* <<—- mos def
xoxox
JaredL607 on
March 31st, 2010 10:51 am
I was going to make a funny intro clip, but it was cold and rainy outside and I was sick
actcleaners on
March 31st, 2010 11:18 am
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
shadowcivs on
March 31st, 2010 11:25 am
XD all i heard was bacteria and then blah blah blah O.o and then i was like ya…
JaredL607 on
March 31st, 2010 11:39 am
That dehalo-whatever bacteria is ridiculous… Took forever to say it at least close to right
lbg1186 on
March 31st, 2010 12:02 pm
Oye les quedo chido el video, todavía sigo buscando el del equipo de Arcadio…
shadowcivs on
March 31st, 2010 12:12 pm
you may have commented first but i rated
;3 i win
shadowcivs on
March 31st, 2010 12:41 pm
there was no use for that arrow :]
shadowcivs on
March 31st, 2010 1:00 pm
<---- I'm that friend :D
Good job more effort then i would have put in to it ^ ^ and nice use of big words O.o u'll get an A :3
killersRejoice on
March 31st, 2010 2:00 pm
haha. i luv the end. its so great.
bellinivernon on
March 31st, 2010 9:37 pm
Exelente !
ParaBokGibiHuzurYok on
March 31st, 2010 10:06 pm
if Charles Darwin had lived today he would have had a field day.
actcleaners on
March 31st, 2010 11:14 pm
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world
getsina on
April 1st, 2010 4:48 am
ACTs? revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
dedyhbw on
April 1st, 2010 1:42 pm
Kameraman.. cah santan, yang serius dong… ;-p
Remeat on
April 1st, 2010 3:14 pm
Little by little, we will find a way to combat cancer.
SilentBud420 on
April 1st, 2010 3:29 pm
mushrooms the key to the universe!!
dedyhbw on
April 1st, 2010 3:42 pm
dasar Cahsantan narsis!
TucoBenedictoRex on
April 1st, 2010 4:30 pm
Amazing speech.
ParaBokGibiHuzurYok on
April 1st, 2010 5:05 pm
mind blowing info!!
uebersoldat117 on
April 1st, 2010 10:04 pm
cool…. ^^,
well, could you tell me how i could my hands on the actual paper itself? XD
thnx for the post ^.^
actcleaners on
April 1st, 2010 11:33 pm
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world
freespeechideas on
April 2nd, 2010 12:13 am
Thanks again 2012 you never cease to amaze!
xjackal24 on
April 2nd, 2010 12:59 am
If Al Gore can win a Noble Prize for his propaganda film, this man should win a few dozen.
fatherprime on
April 2nd, 2010 1:54 am
my core rise all fun gas.
thekrtk on
April 2nd, 2010 2:38 am
Are these things dangerous to humans as they were dangerous to termites?
thekrtk on
April 2nd, 2010 3:27 am
Highly recommended video.
This may indeed be one of those finds that may end up cleaning our atmosphere and depleted farmland.
Thank you!
dtmbcorp on
April 2nd, 2010 4:02 am
Let’s hear it for psilocybin!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
fragmat on
April 2nd, 2010 4:25 am
Blimey, he is a clever boy
GovernmentGoneWild on
April 2nd, 2010 5:12 am
iNTERESTING….. 5 STARS *****
Mazza4Azza on
April 2nd, 2010 10:19 am
Interesting
OnesacreLad on
April 2nd, 2010 4:14 pm
Nowhere in the video does it mention the use of powdered microbes. I have visited this site and seen the process in action – powdered microbes are not used. The process focuses on the stimulation of the naturally occurring microbes. I would hardly say the technology is obsolete when it is being used on a large scale and effectively. Oxygen supply is important, as is understanding the nature of the contamination and how it is bound to the soil matrix. The PAH’s are within free flowing tars.
RockinJoeDavis on
April 2nd, 2010 4:31 pm
Powdered microbes – you guy are the snake oil salesman of the 21 century! The necessary microbes will be there already! Watch out – too much nitrates can cause nitrate – nitrogen contamination of the groundwater. OVER 10 PPM CAN BE FATAL TO BABIES LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD! Cutting edge? This technology is old and obsolete! IF YOU OXYGENATE THE IMPACTED SOILS AND GROUNDWATER PAHs WILL BREAK DOWN IN ABOUT 1/2 THE TIME AT A MUCH REDUCED COST!
OnesacreLad on
April 2nd, 2010 5:18 pm
I didn’t hear any mention of powedered microbes? The microbes undertaking the bioremediation of the PAH’s (as part of heavy tars) are naturally occurring. The fertilizers assist with stimulating the microbes. I understand this is cutting edge technology and has been applied successfully on large scale projects throughout Australasia and now the UK.
sellin55 on
April 2nd, 2010 5:52 pm
Nice video talking about bio remediation but the technology used for this project is old technology especially when mentioned of using fertilizers and powered microbes. Use our microbes, go to our website bioremediation and check out Baad Bugs our technology is advanced.
This book is a very good overview of the kingdom Fungi. With an easy vocabulary usage, the authors were able to entertain the reader with very well done chapters. Although some of the topics could have been streesed a little deeper, the book is perfect for college students enrolled in classes such as introductory mycoloy and fungal systematics.
Rating: 3 / 5
Although the first edition copy is somewhat dated, the basic morphological descriptions are still very useful. This is a good introductory mycology book, as long as you promptly read another, more up-to-date version right after reading this one.
Rating: 5 / 5
Referring to the second reviewer, I would point out that at this rate — the books priced at $250 — with the third offering I’ll have spent $750, and not so much as looked at an entree. Too rich for my blood!
Rating: 1 / 5
“Cheese Problems Solved” is not the sequel to “Who Moved My Cheese” as the previous and only other reviewer of this gem of a book mentioned. That must have been their idea of some kind of joke. In fact this is the sequel to “Bread Problems Solved” and the second book in a trilogy that will be completed in 2009 with “Pickle Problems Pondered”.
Rating: 4 / 5
SwissShredder on
April 8th, 2010 5:57 am
Dazed and Confused!
GaryVonGary on
April 8th, 2010 6:01 am
Whenever I take my daily Biotin supplement, I think of this song.
WackoRhailent on
April 8th, 2010 6:36 am
Didn’t know they were from Poland. Don’t like them, anyway… =/
Just to share my experience: Teaching myself biotechnology I had hoped to get a teaching help with this book and got quite confused after working it through. The MC questions are really misleading. It s a pity… Fortunately, I have had solid knowledge about biotech before reading.
The Series Editors should better ask leading professionals for a review before publishing.
Rating: 1 / 5
Ever since I entered graduate school, I was against buying text books, but this book was for a 500 level class (read: undergrad), so I knew I’d have to get it if I was going to pass the class. I also wanted to learn more about biotechnology and the book was moderately priced, so I got it. It was so easy to read, and understand, and sometimes I read it just because it was interesting. If you are interested in learning more about biotechnology, then this book is a great place to start!
Rating: 5 / 5
WackoRhailent on
April 8th, 2010 7:46 am
Good to know, good to know! The only Polish band I know is Vader! And they kick butts! m/
This book presents a very good review and overview of biotechnology. The best feature of the book is that it’s simple to understand. Biotechnology is still a rapidly developing field, and there are not many textbooks or reference books out there. This is one of the good biotechnology books that we have.
Recommended.
Rating: 4 / 5
leaf427 on
April 8th, 2010 8:29 am
@WackoRhailent
Sepultura was very popular in Poland
IcedEarth99 on
April 8th, 2010 8:33 am
@sickiedickie1280 It probably means u shouldn’t do crack before you enter the studio, still one of the greatest thrash anthems though
I can’t agree with the reviewer above who faulted the translation of the book into `Germlish’. There is no way that reader has to translate each sentence into `true English’ as it reads very clearly to me. However, I would agree that the text is a little dry and as such is not as accessible as it could be. I also think the book is more appropriate for undergrad students than for graduates.
Rating: 3 / 5
I have a very basic background in chemistry and biology so I was looking for a book to fill in the gaps; something short of a college textbook. I am only about 3 chapters through this but I’m disappointed in this book. The level of exposition is not too bad, but the book seems neither well written nor well edited. I’ve found typos, undefined notation, unexplained terms and just poor explanations. The figures don’t seem very good for explaining the concepts and processes (eg, cell division) that really need good diagrams. In some cases they are borrowed from other books a little carelessly.
It’s too bad — I think this is a good topic and the author generally chooses an appropriate level of detail, but it just wasn’t written carefully enough.
Rating: 2 / 5
As if this book was written specifically for me, it suited my needs as few books have in the past. I work in Business Development in the Pharma Industry and I enjoyed this one. I just have one comment: I wish the author had spent more time detailing other sources of information for this field. The ones he mentions are interesting but not enough I am afraid. GOOD JOB THOUGH. Worth every single penny.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is well written and good value for money. It provides a lively introduction to the red hot biotechnology for beginners. Complex concepts of cell structures and functions are clearly explained. The summary and quiz of each chapter are particularly useful. I enjoy most reading about the interesting topics of immunotherapy, stem cell, proteomics and various medical applications of biotechnology.
Rating: 4 / 5
I used this book for one of my favorite classes in college on biotechnology. It will show you the cool side of science and all of the neat things you can do with biology and DNA. The level is low enough to where you only need a minimal background to understand it, basic biology classes and preferably genetics. After completing the book you should be excited about the future of biotech, and you will have some understanding about how it works.
Rating: 5 / 5
For at least two thousand years, forests have been managed in some fashion to maintain productive harvest for fuels, building materials, paper and other products. Started as a local part of the economy, forest management has morphed into a intensive cropping system that places millions of hectares across the world into production each year. The goal of the system is maximal return on investment, with a view that this is best accomplished with factory methods.
The result is that a tunnel-vision view of trees as simply industrial product has blotted out the importance of ecosystem functions of natural forests. Natural forests are replaced by evenly grown, homogeneous blocks of trees with limited diversity. Not only is the composition of the natural forest profoundly changed at the level of the tree species, the rich community of the natural forest is destroyed. The loss of biodiversity has profound implications for the planet as a whole.
The authors do an extraordinary job building multiple contexts in a few very readable chapters. The chapters are well organized. Complex issues presented in ways that make them very understandable. Jargon is minimal and, where needed, clearly defined.
The book traces the evolution of silviculture through history from ad hoc methods to formalized modern methods (the modern methods are presented as including science, but the system is taken to task for being more learned-based than thought-based).
Silviculture gives way to a discussion on theoretical ecology. The discussion is a tight and excellent review the science of ecology and its evolution from Darwin to present thoughts on the dynamics of ecosystems and the organisms they contain.
The two major threads of silviculture and ecology are woven together, culminating in the final chapter on managing industrial forests as complex adaptive systems rather than factory floors.
The size of land covered by industrial tree farming is huge and growing each year. Modifying the goals of the industrial forest has great potential for creating forests that yield both industrial wood product and rich ecosystems. This book transcends the niche of silviculture and has broad importance. It is also an excellent read.
Rating: 5 / 5
I wish I could understand! But even not understanding his words I definitely learned a lot from just watching. Great video, very well made.
nice to watch and informative
very useful to us and farming community
Excellent information that is largely unknown in the general public but should be. Genetic engineering already affects most of the food you eat, the medical care you get, the future of commodities markets and the future of third world nations. The book was a little bit too lengthy regarding the author’s personal experiences, interpersed throughout the chapters, so I skipped over some of the stories that seemed pointless or uninteresting. At times, another weakness was a lack of references or only citing one reference to “establish a fact”. The author also makes some ‘political’ statements; some I agreed with, others I did not. For the well educated reader, the book has some ESSENTIAL content to understand what’s happening with biotech but not all of it is well footnoted and defended. But that’s probably because Gunn was aiming for the layman.
Rating: 4 / 5
Having completed a stint in BioTech, I wished I had read this book ahead of time.
The book met the goal to share a number of management principles that the CEO’s of Amgen instituted.
One of the chapters that discusses the products they had in the pipeline, is a little difficult to correlate to a management lesson, but if thought about hard enough can be related to an ROI discussion and how one option initially looks costly, but the long run benefit can reap a windfall.
The book is not necessarily a history of Amgen but has enough characteristics for one to ascertain a time line of the company and their success.
The story shares a good primer for those that may need to learn a little bit about patent litigation and the effect it can have on the biotech industry.
I would recommend this book for anyone in the biotech space or for those that are looking for a quick read on creating an organization that has had such great success.
Rating: 4 / 5
hmmmm … very interesting… and informative…
Tom Abate has been covered the Biotech industry for the San Francisco Chronicle for years. It shows. He brings a strong dose of reality to this hype driven sector.
Who this book is for:
-Independent investors willing to spend a lot of time doing research
-People looking for a current industry overview
-Job seekers
The Good:
-Extremely well written
-Up to Date (as of spring 2003)
-Knowledgeable – several small tidbits of data pay for the book by themselves
The Bad:
-Will quickly go out of date. For example the Appendix contains a list of firm websites and market caps; Market Caps change – companies disappear.
-Not enough FDA information. This should have been a separate chapter covering the FDA approval process in detail as well as other countries’ processes.
-Too much basic investment advice: firm valuation/free cash flow/ portfolio theory / investor risk profile. Other books do a better, more thorough job of this.
-No bibliography
I gave it 5 stars because if you are going to invest in biotech the book will more than pay for itself.
Rating: 5 / 5
At last a book that makes some sense of the biotech sector! The author, George Wolff has a very straightforward approach, starting with the big picture of the industry’s development and then getting down to specifics about market behavior such as the reasons for the sector’s incredible volatility. Wolff’s analysis involves breaking the sector down in Four Tiers. Each behaves somewhat differently with the lowest Tier being both the riskiest and the cheapest to buy into. Tier One encompasses the well-known majors such as Amgen, which are relatively safe but less exciting plays. I think Wolff has set out a framework of understanding that allows investors to discriminate among the companies to find a reasonable balance of growth potential and security. Most of the book is strictly about investment analysis but the second part of it (Book 2) tries to decode the scientific background. I like his analogy, comparing the workings of DNA and cellular machinery to the innards of a computer. It’s a clear enough explanation to convince me that I finally understand this abstract stuff. All in all, a good, illuminating read for people like me who are interested in the industry and where it’s going. The investment advice is sensible and has a reasonable tone….not a “get rich quick book.” I know there’s another book on the market that looks strictly at the medical side of the biotech business. I like the fact the Wolff has gone beyond that to look at the ways the industry can affect a lot of other major sectors such as energy, chemicals, textiles and so on. Wolff believes biotech is going to become the biggest industry in the world and now that I see where the industry is headed, I think he’s right.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Biotech Investors Bible is the first advice on biotech investing that doesn’t seem simplistic. I’m tired of jumping on the high tech bandwagons touted by soundbits on TV or sidebars in magazines. I’m ready to dip my feet into the water of what seems a more promising industry. The Biotech Investors’ Bible gives me the depth of knowledge that inspires real confidence for the first time in my investing career. I TRUST IT!
Rating: 5 / 5
It is a very complete book with good explanations. However, it is written with very specialised vocabulary and looks like it has been written for university students. I would not recommend it as your first book on silviculture.
Rating: 5 / 5
whoooooo Terry Hazen is awesome!
all ridiculous enthusiasm aside, he is pretty cool, and he was a good boss.
The lab exercises are written inside. I couldn’t remember what the seller described but I wasn’t happy that the labs were already filled out. But other than that, the cover and pages were in pretty good condition.
Rating: 3 / 5
An easy read through some huge changes some of which may save your life: An infection may prevent cancer occurance and reoccurance, Bush’s stem cell lines are dying out and what that means, hope for species extinction, enzymes are making the enviroment and economy cleaner, early tests for diabetes and new ones without blood draws, and the things that can come out of a womb really do threaten notions of who and what we are. What this Brave New World will look like is happening now. Moira tunes us into some big things we really ought to know.
Rating: 5 / 5
The first dog is very big
If you want to believe an illusion, go for it. Some readers say he is well informed. Whoa. This guy talks about science without any credentials to do so.
If it makes you feel good to believe that the US is bad, the environment is collapsing, and we need socialism to survive, then this is the book for you.
If you are open minded but want truthful facts to make your own opinion, find another source.
Waste of money.
Rating: 1 / 5
good job bro……. truly inspiring at the time of reccession
This is amazing — professional, technically detailed, very current information…best bioremediation info on youtube that I’ve found by far. Thank you for putting this up.
Superb job in telling the story of how Amgen as a company, community, and culture evolved. Its strength lies in providing examples of how Amgen’s management team solved tough business problems both within and outside the company; as well as within the bio/pharma industry as a whole. It also discusses the types of managers and business practices that tend to work well in science-based businesses, and how to attract and keep top-notch employees.
Although the book is probably intended for MBA-types, as a non MBA-type, I found it very interesting. The main reason for that is because it explains how Amgen approached common business procedures such as the Initial Public Offering (IPO) process, the FDA drug approval process, and the U.S. patent application process to name a few. If anything, it provided me with a solid basic fundamental business review of how Amgen’s management team went about doing the things they did, and why they chose to do it that way.
Overall, I found this book to be a compelling story that is entertaining, educational and fun all at the same time. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in learning how Amgen, a one-time small biotech company evolved to become one of the most successful biotech companies in the world. Finally, I would like to add that this book is an excellent read. I think anyone who has a genuine interest in the Biotech industry either from a historical or business management perspective, will really enjoy it. I know I did. A five star rating all the way!
Rating: 5 / 5
The book is exactly what I needed- I saved about $15.00 purchasing through Amazon. The book shipped quickley too!
Rating: 5 / 5
Very good book on the unique concepts of biotech investing. It covers all areas and would be useful for beginners or advanced investors.
Rating: 4 / 5
As our population ages, there are more opportunities for companies involved in treating diseases. Companies in the biotech industry have a bright future. But, the author says that investing in biotech is risky. This is understandable because the firms in this industry rely heavily on innovation. New discoveries can make current products obsolete. Many investors lost money investing in these companies because they do not understand the industry and individual companies.
I liked how the author distinguished between high-tech and biotech companies. Successful high-tech companies develop valuable networks. For example, Microsoft has a network of software developers who tailor their programs to run on Windows. Biotech, on the other hand, is an industry of niches. The industry is complicated compared with other industries. However, the author did a good job making it more understandable to readers.
- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market
Rating: 5 / 5
At last a book that makes some sense of the biotech sector! The author, George Wolff has a very straightforward approach, starting with the big picture of the industry’s development and then getting down to specifics about market behavior such as the reasons for the sector’s incredible volatility. Wolff’s analysis involves breaking the sector down in Four Tiers. Each behaves somewhat differently with the lowest Tier being both the riskiest and the cheapest to buy into. Tier One encompasses the well-known majors such as Amgen, which are relatively safe but less exciting plays. I think Wolff has set out a framework of understanding that allows investors to discriminate among the companies to find a reasonable balance of growth potential and security. Most of the book is strictly about investment analysis but the second part of it (Book 2) tries to decode the scientific background. I like his analogy, comparing the workings of DNA and cellular machinery to the innards of a computer. It’s a clear enough explanation to convince me that I finally understand this abstract stuff. All in all, a good, illuminating read for people like me who are interested in the industry and where it’s going. The investment advice is sensible and has a reasonable tone….not a “get rich quick book.” I know there’s another book on the market that looks strictly at the medical side of the biotech business. I like the fact the Wolff has gone beyond that to look at the ways the industry can affect a lot of other major sectors such as energy, chemicals, textiles and so on. Wolff believes biotech is going to become the biggest industry in the world and now that I see where the industry is headed, I think he’s right.
Rating: 5 / 5
Former Amgen CEO Gordon Binder recounts his biotech company’s history in clear, articulate prose. He and writer Philip Bashe make the science accessible. They explain technical terms in lay language and spell out the benefits and effects of each biotech advance. Amgen’s story includes inspiring accounts of company-wide dedication and demonstrates the utility of the scientific method as a tactic for making business decisions. Yet, some of the book’s teachings fall a bit flat. Perhaps driven by an urge to make Amgen’s experiences broadly applicable, Binder draws lessons that are so broad in scope that they risk banality and could apply to any industry. That aside, getAbstract recommends this to anyone involved in a start-up and to those who are interested in how companies evolve, change, and succeed.
Rating: 5 / 5
Interesting that the HRC injection at Hanford has shown some progress.
I skimmed through this piece of gibberish produced by this “person” since I have an interest and a fair amount of experince in the topic at hand. The little blurb about Somatogen making transgenic pigs is what really caught my eye. I worked for Somatogen (later Baxter Hemoglobin Theraputics) for ten years. The only way any pigs got onto the company grounds was dressed out and roasted to be eaten with lots of beans and cold beer. This fool who thinks he knows what the heck he’s talking about should take himself back to grammer school and learn how to do some research into a subject he intends to write about before he commits ink to paper. Don’t waste your hard earned cash on this bundle tripe.
Rating: 1 / 5
I did come to see it…damn interesting no doubt
This book is a must read for anyone with serious questions or concerns regarding our society’s headlong rush into the golden era of genetic engineering. We had better read and understand, lest that golden era instead becomes “…darker, and more protracted by the lights of perverted science.”
Rating: 5 / 5
I purchased this book to get an overview of the Biotech market as it is today. New to the field so looking for information that was not to scientific. The conversational, tell-alstory nature of the book made it hard for me to follow. By the time I got to the end of a paragraph, I was not sure what it had been about. Made it through about 40 pages and then abandoned the book – which I rarely do. Maybe it got better later on…
Rating: 2 / 5
I’ve been fan of NPRs Tech Nation for years. As a technology-focused radio host, Moira Gunn is without peer. I judge that by the fact that years of difficult-to-understand topics have remained rooted in my mind–from the Tech Nation interviews. She brings out the best from her authors with a light-hearted style, humor, and an infectious laugh. On the other hand, it’s always clear that Dr. Gunn has read her author’s book and therefore never dumbs-down an interview. I recommend reading “Welcome To Biotech Nation” for any one of three reasons: (1) as a fascinating journey into the strange world of biotechnology; (2) for insight into the latest happenings within the biotech world; (3) to experience Dr. Gunn’s unique talent for wrapping a page-turning story around a complex topic–making memorable something that might be beyond the grasp of many.
Rating: 5 / 5
I didn’t realize that this was called the short version but it has all the lab assignments that I needed and I saved money so it all worked out.
Rating: 5 / 5
I can’t Believe nobody has bothered to come see this yet… I am a UCTV junkie overnight now.. Never know what comes up.
… unless LinkTV or FSTV has something good too.
Contrary to what the previous reviewer thinks, the earth is NOT a closed system in terms of entropy and energy. The earth receives a huge constant input of energy from the sun. This energy is captured by plants and used to reduce entropy (which is the essence of life). As long as the sun burns (~5 billion years), life will be able to survive and prosper on earth.
Rating: 3 / 5
This book is essential reading for a thorough understanding of the biotech industry, its complexities and potential. Highly recommended!
Rating: 5 / 5
Good review of the various biotech subsectors and future biotech trends. The book compares biotech to the PC industry and gives a fairly good insight about what might happen from an industrial and investing perspective.
Rating: 5 / 5
An excellent introduction to biotech investing.
Tom Abate is a good writer and knows his subject. I thought this book was written in a guarded, pragmatic way that suits the reader’s purpose (presumably investment). The dustjacket shouts of a ‘coming boom’ but the author can be forgiven for what is basically puffery. Abate is clearly arguing for a period of drawn out growth fuelled by demographics and accelerating technical progress – not an imminent goldrush.
I gained a number of insights I consider valuable:
-An understanding of the mechanism of FDA approval and how companies manage themselves around it.
-The fluid business models of existing companies.
-The way in which institutional fund managers seem to advocate active trading over a ‘buy and hold’ approach to biotech portfolios (this surprised me).
Timely, relevant and convincingly argued. I’d probably buy another book by this author.
Rating: 5 / 5
I read dozens of investment books. I have never read one that is as cogent and helpful as The Biotech Investor’s Bible. It has signiificantly helped me develop a realistic criteria for choosing which biotech stocks to invest in. It will have a permant place on my shelf of investment books.
Rating: 5 / 5
The new Bio-Tech is a wonderful addition to the fourth edition of Gurps. It covers rule for physical modifications of species as well as medicine, and the use of magic in the field of biology. Overall a excelent product
Rating: 1 / 5
Rifkin does not attack the idea of creation as an anti-thesis to an divine creator. Instead proposes the genesis of life was a composition of diversity produced by genes. Rifkin says man first major break through was fire. Fire allowed elements to be separated and recombine. Fire empower man to move into the industrial century. The next century would be the biotech century. It all started with a major advancement in science put a Japanese company who gained the the spotlight after they discovered who to classify a gene, remove specific gene material, and reinsert the geneic material various DNA species. The effective extracting and recombination open the door of new life. Thus, man would be able to recombine the genes to create new forms of life blocked orignial by barriers of the species. The idea of the second genesis is to take the best genes properties and introduce them into high demand life forms. Rifkin points out that the biotech century emerged proportional to increasing computer computations. The commerical of living material was thoughtfully presented. Rifkin explains legally, we do not have ownership over cell matter taken from our body. Unique celluar resistence to specific diseases can be exploited, catalog, recombined, and marketed. The gene database will produce exponential increase in new drugs, products, foods, and material. Commerical companies use the gene information which does not necessarily benefit the original sources of the genetic material. So, the creator created all diversity of life. Life was suppose to act within a sphere of influence. It seems to enhance of modify those bounds of influence would be unwise. Just rationally, I fear the unknown and lack of control. Those spheres of influence limit the range of destructive capability nature can impose. Nature can not produce an elephant which can walk up a wall.
Suppose, a gene is introduced into a potatoe plant to kill aphids. The genetic property responses effectively and the number of aphids significantly drops. However, a drought reduces the water supply and the genetic deterence stops because the gene does remain active in drought conditions. The point, genetic engineer works well in a laboratory where all the variables are controlled and measured. It is conceivable Rifkin warnings are valid consider, we don’t know all the properties of the gene and how they will act, in all conditions. The example, did not demonstrate harm, because the farmers could apply pesticide to kill the aphids and recovery some their crop.
Rating: 3 / 5
Moira Gunn is to biotech what “Click and Clack” is to cars! And as with Cartalk, I thought the “Biotech Nation” subject would be beyond me until my sister sent me a copy for my birthday. I felt compelled out of politeness to at least attempt it. I was stunned and pleased to find the book was an absolute joy, and I had no idea I could understand these complex concepts…but Dr. Gunn makes it easy, fun and fascinating. I’ve already bought copies for presents and feel as if I have a much better understanding of what makes our world go around!
Rating: 5 / 5
Interesting insight into the biotech industry. Gordon Binder knows his business and is maybe to good at selling his product!.
I like his enthusiasm about science and his trust in the capacity of scientist.
Rating: 4 / 5
Gordon Binder’s Science Lessons demonstrates the efficacy of creating an atmosphere of autonomy and employee ownership in the corporate structure. Mr Binders straightforward corporate philosophy shines in its simplicity and effectuality.
To the layman, ’science” conotates cold, calculating numbers, control groups and petri dishes. Mr Binder brings warmth and humanity to the scientific ascent at Amgen and leaves an indellible impression on the reader.
Science Lessons is a blueprint for the creation of a mission statement for anyone in business. The author has a unique and refreshing approach to management rooted in positive reinforcement and a reverence for autonomy. In a corporate age of maddening bureacracy, Science Lessons is a mandatory read for anyone who manages people.
A utilitarian would marvel at Mr Binder’s results; but, to the contrary, its the means by which he accomplished things that astounds. Science Lessons is refreshing, invigorating and ulimately pragmatic for all readers. Five stars all the way!
Rating: 5 / 5
This book was also required for my Microbiology College course. It was $30 cheaper then buying a used one through my college. Its great just what I was looking for.
Rating: 5 / 5
Hi There,
I have been reading RPG supplements for a long time. This one is a very handy supplement, even if you’re not playing GURPS. This book is well researched, and seems to add a lot along the lines of Genetic Engineering, and Medicine to the game, while distilling materials into SJ Games Excellent 4th Edition.
I am not an author, but in the interests of disclosing my affiliation with the product, I was a Playtester of the product, prior to release.
I was very impressed with how this product turned out.
Rating: 5 / 5
Bio-Tech has been re-written and expanded for GURPS 4th Edition, and is physically impressive — full colour, some reasonable art, twice as many pages. The text divides between theory and game-specific material.
The theory part is a fairly detailed and, so far as I know, up to date discussion of medical technology, selective breeding, genetic modifications to animals and plants, genetics, and cellular biology, with interesting speculations on gene therapies, genetic engineering and gross surgical alteration. Although interesting and instructive, the theory part is, from a game point of view, mostly fluff which explains the origin of some of the exotic advantages that characters can have in a hard-SF background.
Bio-Tech also touches on, then skirts around nanotechnology, presumably because this will be covered in more detail in the forth-coming Ultra-Tech, which is referenced throughout the volume.
The game-specific part lists genetic alterations to the human genome by tech level, surgical and therapeutic procedures to upgrade characters during play, provides new spells for magically based backgrounds, and provides rules for and examples of current and futuristic drugs and medical nanotech. It also features geneered animals and plants. The best and most immediately useful part is a chapter devoted to templates, human and para-human, that has been updated from the previous Bio-Tech book, and from Transhuman Space.
All the foregoing material is excellent stuff. Sadly, the final part of the book, which features two capsule backgrounds, is less good. One has clones of Alexander the Great ruling the world, the other is a short account of a slower-than-light colonisation fleet on its way to Lambda Serpentis. Neither of these parts is particularly well detailed, and I’d have preferred more information on bio-vehicles and bio-buildings. It is a minor gripe, though — the meat of the book is more than worth the cover price.
Rating: 4 / 5
All of my lab procedures and lab quizzes come straight out of this book, so it works great for me! There are a lot of pictures and illustrations with great background information.
Rating: 4 / 5
In this age of cloning and genetically altered crops it’s hard to create a game book that won’t seem hopelessly outdated by next year. David Pulver (GURPS Psionics, GURPS Vehicles and other) has done an excellent job with GURPS Bio-Tech! Rather than a simple list of advantages and disadvantages available, David takes advantage of existing rules to explain how select gene-mods would work in game mechanics.
Also covered are modifications to animals, plants, alien organisms and a extensive section on germ warfare. (Better make sure that the target genome doesn’t appear in your population!) Addition information discusses specific changes that bio-modification could bring to a society.
This book is tailored to the GURPS game system, but with a bit of thought could be used for virtually any game system.
Rating: 5 / 5
It looks like you’re removing quite a bit of live crown. How do you decide how high you can prune without impacting growth rate?
My review title about sums it up. Any term you’re likely to look up – from ‘abiotic’ to ‘zygote’ – could be explored at chapter- or book-length, but this book gives you just the amount of information you want in order to move forward in whatever you happen to be reading. It defines potentially controversial entries, like “old growth” and “diameter-limit cut,” in a straightfoward and purely descriptive manner.
My only beef is the price. It’s simply too expensive, by some $20, for a rather slender volume.
Rating: 4 / 5
We used this book as our main text for a graudate level Bioremediation Course. I personally found the book very well structured and easy to understand. The appendix has a wealth of info as well. GREAT BOOK!!!
Rating: 5 / 5
I use Cookson all the time in bioremediation. The best section is the Appendix with nutrient demand calculations for any organic compound. This is the “If you can only afford one book” book.
Rating: 5 / 5
I am a recent graduate from college holding a diploma in forestry. I found this book to be essential in my studies and highly recommend to both students and any persons interested in the study of forestry. It contains all the essential termonology used for forestry with detailed information on their meaning. It is an all accounts a must have book.
Rating: 5 / 5
What I like about this book is the no-nonsense approach and straightforward advice. The author doesn’t talk much about himself, but enough to explain why he wrote this book and what you should expect. From every chapter it’s clear the author talks from experience and the topics are explained in just the right amount of detail.
If you are not a biotech expert but you understand option trading, this book can help you with the missing link you need to achieve real results.
Rating: 5 / 5
I work in longleaf forests in LA and MS conducting research on wintering grassland birds. This is an excellent book full of great literature citations. The book covers a broad spectrum of interest from fire ecology to restoration.
Rating: 5 / 5
The book seems to be missing some chapters?!?! For example, how exactly to ‘handicap’ a phase III trial? It goes into no detail on the though process to establish a bullish, bearish, or neutral bias. Although it does clearly explain the ancillary information that might be required in analyzing a biotech company (cash burn, potential value, insider activity, and potential dates) it has no chapter or discussion on how to even begin to determine if a specific drug will pass/fail Phase III trial. Now granted that may be impossible to do in reality with a high degree of probability, but there is not a single case study of a trade to go through the entire process. Also missing is any discussion of how to obtain analysts estimates as a retail trader since most is only available to institutional clients.
That being said the book does do a decent enough job explaining what it does have chapters on including analyzing the cash positions of a firm and creating trading strategies around a specific bias. Unfortunately it never goes into how to exactly establish the bias via explanation or case studies.
Finally the author alludes to many possible potential short term trading opportunities such as a tendency for stocks and volatility around or after a specific announcement, but never elaborates on any. A chapter on this alone would’ve been worth 10x the price.
Mr Pelz has done a pretty good job with this one but it’s only HALF COMPLETE. If the author reads this, please contact me!
Rating: 3 / 5
If anyone else needs this let me know, you shouldn’t, but I’ll be removing it soon.
Kudos to the author of this book. This is the only recently-published book that I have found which targets trading opportunities in biotech. Provides a good overview of how to analyze biotech companies and gives thoughtful ideas on how to trade illiquid options. Also presents several interesting trading strategies. Good addition to any trading library.
Rating: 5 / 5
For most of my life, I have had a deep interest in the subject of forestry, and while time and circumstances have dictated that attending a school of forestry was not possible, I have still maintained my interest by purchasing and reading materials about forestry. It holds a very big interest with me and having “The Dictionary of Forestry” in my library was an absolute must. John A. Helms, the editor, has put together a fantastic reference book for anyone who is a student, or anyone who has an abiding interest in this field. This reference has helped me when reading other books about forest and related topics, such as “Young Men and Fire.” When I come to a term such as “smokejumper”, I go to the reference in the this dictionary and get helpful information. In this case, when I looked up “smokejumper”, I was referenced to “helijumper”, where an apt description was told. There are many other terms that have been helpful, such as fire tools (the pulaski), or “fire behavior” where I find such terms as “blowup”, or “backfire” which Dodge used in “Young Men and Fire” (actually it was termed an escape fire). Also, such defintiions about fire suppression, such as “mop-up” and “direct attack.” While I may never get to attend a forestry school, I have this great reference dictionary to satiate my appetite for a great interest of mine – forestry. I appreciate the many people who put this book together and I want you to know that I consider it as essential in my library.
Rating: 5 / 5
“How to Defeat Your Own Clone” is an exceptional book.
Like my above one sentence review, this work is simple, to the point, and easily understood by the average reader. And I’m very much the average reader when it comes to books dealing with genetic science.
Based on the book’s title, I was hoping it would explain cloning, genetics, and general scientific theory in an entertaining and/or humorous way. It does just that, but it does more as well.
It’s one thing to write a book that’s scientifically accurate, it’s another to write a book that’s funny, but to combine the two genres is no easy feat. The authors succeed admirably, and “How to Defeat Your Own Clone” is a fun read that also educates.
Concerned about the 21st century implications of biotechnology, stem cell research, and similar topics? Want to learn more? Don’t want to be bored to tears or overwhelmed by jargon? If this sounds like you, then this title should be at the top of your list of books to buy.
Rating: 5 / 5
WOW! Such a dense topic, so carefully written. I am the wiser for this book. Thank you for presenting this so clearly.
Rating: 5 / 5
Disappointing. I guess this book is one example where the cover says it all; next time I see a book on Biotech investing, I want to see a dollar sign on the jacket.
Sure, I got the biotech bit, but where was the insight into investing. Nothing really hit me. I started reading the book not knowing how to invest in biotech; I ended the same way.
On a positive note, I did like the writing style.
Rating: 1 / 5
This stuff can be found in the US by oilspillrem
WOW
This book, the Ecology and Silviculture of Oaks, absolutely rocked my world. Never have I read such a moving, overwhelming discussion of oak trees. Wow. I may seem a little biased because author Steve Shifley is my rockstar father (yeah, Dad!), but this coming-of-age tale of oak trees in a changing, oppressive urban culture is truly a tearjerker. Well worth the [$] I paid for it. Buy as many copies as you can, because all the proceeds go to fund my college education. Once again, READ THIS BOOK! It’ll alter your worldview- forever.
Rating: 5 / 5
This stuff was used to clean up a hell of a lot of spills over the period of ten years.
Go to Williamabrenk watch “Look Outside” You’ll see how important it is.
This product is now being distributed by BioRemedia in the UK.
Amazing ‘find’ by NASA!!!
Keep up the good work!!!
I picked up this book with two kinds of expectations. One that McCamant would give me the “lay of the land” of the Biotech space, the competing markets and the key companies. The other, that he would provide deep insight (a la Peter Lynch) on an investment method. On the first count, the book does a reasonable job. On the second count, it is very disappointing. Most of the investment rules are obvious and generic. The investment web links are outdated.
Rating: 3 / 5
This book is written with a delightful sense of humor, yet the authors clearly take the subject seriously. Fun to read, thoughtful, and thought-provoking. Kurpinski and Johnson admit right up front what so many from the highest halls of government on down refuse to recognize; The biotech genie is out of the bottle and he isn’t going back in, so we’d better get to thinking about how we are going to handle things, rather than pretend it will all just go away.
Rating: 5 / 5
Fantastic product – Bioremedia in the UK supply the PRP Products.
The Handbook is an enormous tome of media formulations. The index is the back is indepensible. One thing that would have improved the volume is more explaination of why certain components are in each media formulation. However, this is for sure a useful book for all who work in microbiology, from clinical labs to industrial to academia.
Rating: 4 / 5
waterdog64 the oil was “recycled” by the bacteria when they comsumed the PRP & oil mixture
Somewhat tongue in cheek, this is a terrific look at cloning that simplifies using humor without dumbing down DNA sequencing. The authors answer key questions and provide warnings. One particular caution is allowing your DNA sequence to appear on the Internet that will remind readers of Miss Manners’ warning about social networking. Readers will ask how do I defeat a clone who has been enhanced to be superior. Answer is experience and knowledge. The future appears to be chocolate-flavored broccoli that Bush 41 would enjoy, but not to worry as humans have a long time history of genetic engineering in farming and animal domestication. So although stem cell research appears to have cures for illnesses, Kyle Kurpinski and Terry D. Johnson make a serious Dr. Frankenstein case that good intentions pave the road to hell with unintended consequences. So be prepared to out think your healthier clone. This is a great science book that combines jocularity with easy to read and understand biotechnology.
Harriet Klausner
Rating: 5 / 5
It’s amazing how much comes from NASA research. I wonder if this stuff could be scooped up and used as a biofuel or if the encapsulated oil could be recycled after being absorbed?
Paul Stamets is brilliant!
Very cool way to clean up oil!
Foresters and other land managers usually have to rely on shelves and boxes full of books, reprints, bulletins, and notes for the information they need about the ecosystem they are concerned with. Here, between two hard covers, is a great wealth of carefully selected, clearly organized, and creatively synthesized knowledge dealing with the biology and management of American oak forests and woodlands.Chapter titles will indicate the diversity of subject matter: Ecology, Regeneration Ecology (flowering, fruiting, and reproduction characteristics), Regeneration Ecology (population dynamics),Site Productivity and Stand Development, Development of Natural Stands, Self-Thinning and Stand Density, Even-Aged Silvicultural Methods, Uneven-Aged Silvicultural Methods, Multi-Resource Management, Growth and Yield, plus seven appendices. There are numerous sub-topics within each chapter, greatly amplifying the diversity of information. There are many illustrations, graphs, flow-charts, and photos. Each chapter has its own lit cited, about 90% of which are from 1990 or later. As a tree biologist I read the sections on acorn dispersal, vegetative reproduction, and growth, and found all to be clear, accurate, and current. This excellent technical volume should serve as a model for the digestion of information for all significant forest tree genera.
Rating: 5 / 5
This video deserves 5 stars
Thank you for sharing this video, Paul Stamets is definitely a fungal visionary!
Interesting technology…
@nickmasta
“does anyone know if this fungi was genetically engineered or just found in nature this way?”
this is part of a broader and better presented talk that Paul Stamets gives on the TEDtalksDirector channel.
He explains that they are primarily found in the Old Growth Forest (hope i got the right) in the USA and are not GMO.
Video Title: “Paul Stamets: 6 ways mushrooms can save the world”
i hope people pick up his work
what magnification is the first pic?
hero.
regular old found in nature
basically contracts will have a radius that they want trees to be spaced at because if they are too close when they mature there roots tangle, branches hit blah blah blah. Most spacing done is 7-9 feet (in my experience) but this guy is planting much closer. I would be interested to know if his contract was set at 5 feet (approx) or he is just planting tight. If his checkers see trees arent spaced he might have to replant…
unbelievable. top stuff
what’s 5 feet planting? i thought this was wildwoods?
does anyone know if this fungi was genetically engineered or just found in nature this way?
looking forward to going back…the first pic def should have been someone better at their job than alexis though….
i bought myself a 4 pot bag but with all pots full its too much weight to be affective going back to the three pot system tomorrow. Where abouts are u based? I’m near newcastleton just now.
anyone who gets a contract with 5 feet planting can pound like that, 1 step, pound, step, pound…not to say he isnt good but yea, not that impressive in my opinion
this is the best job in the world!
u tree planters are a mesy, messy breed……i just spent all day cleaning tree planting vans at outland thunder bay
It’s hard to say, this is just a succinct presentation. If there was already enough organic matter in the soil- then perhaps nothing was mixed in. Maybe they used one of Paul’s strains bred to prefer hydrocarbons.
A little more detail would help– but suffice to say this is not joke. What Paul is doing here is truly revolutionary.
Since I’m not interested in being a PhD this seems like the perfect book for me and more than likely for the average investor. The thing I really like about this book is that it helps me know how to make money from the coming biotech explosion.
I don’t care how this stuff works nearly as much as how to build my net worth by investing. On that point, this is THE book. It has just about everything-understandable explanation of the industry, how to tell which companies are likely to be leaders, and even a reference database.
If I had a book this good at the beginning of the ‘high tech’ explosion I could have retired already. I would have understood enough about Oracle, Cisco, and all that lot to make even more money. I don’t intend to be on the back half of the next wave. I give this book five stars. Thanks a million, $$$, to the author.
Rating: 5 / 5
Yeah… I work with mycelium- it’s a bit of an extremophile when it comes to substances we consider toxic to life– fungi are capable of enzymatic reaction unlike any other life-form.
Oil is likely not the main food source (though Paul does breed types towards that goal). Organic matter is often mixed in some amount to help the proliferation of the organism (give it a head start) and the fungus then breaks down both the organic matter and the harmful contaminated soil. The fungus adapts.
arent they just, planting plugs, have the 3 pocket bags like these guys and you can only fit 150 sitka in them, maybe 200 in a post bag. Eskdalemuir, tweedsmuir….makes canada look like heaven. plus i havent seen girls like that up in the scottish hills.
It’s only january and I can’t wait to go back… oh dear!
Dr. Duarte has put it all together in this book. The future of biotech stocks is incredible, but investing without a full understanding of the industry is risky. All the knowledge you need to invest successfully in biotech issues is right here!
Rating: 5 / 5
u feelas got a preety sick lokkin set up I run a tree plantin crew in aus allways lookin for some guns who wanna make some $ and have a ball why doin it check out our clip cant stop planting were an army of tree planters The Infantree.
Pual Stamets is a Mycological Genius
NIceeee.
Planted my first tree aged around 9, aged 52 now and still planting trees.
Loved the video and the sound very inspiring. Have responded with a news clip video of a little girl planting trees
Sula is now married with 2 children who will be inspired no doubt by her video.
Reading the book My Life My Trees by Richard St Barbe Baker was very inspirational also.
Andrew K Fletcher
damn guy at 6:15 is a pounder who is that?
scooter u r gay harden the fuk up love sheeny/king tree planter/smart cunbt extrrordenair
This book provides the average investor with a solid foundation in their pursuit of successful biotech investing.
Most investors invest in biotech stocks based on media exposure and momentum driven markets. There is a glaring lack of any sort of structure to their research or position management. Dr. Duarte’s book lays the groundwork for investors to establish a workable system of identifying and managing promising investments. By incorporating risk management techniques (technical analysis), he has provided a dose of reality to balance the inherent optimism the motivates biotech investors. This is crucial as it prevents the blow ups that destroy portfolios as well as investor confidence.
Rating: 5 / 5
was a tree planter in 1989 in bc canada and i loved it
whats the song at 2:50 , I cant figure it out?
been a tree planter in Scotland for 9 years and would like to try a season in Canada any idea’s on how to go about this? the tree’s we plant here are much bigger than those struggle to carry 500 sitka spruce at a time.
thats exactly the point of this, to reverse the damage done to soil by the fuel..
haha great title, totally agree
A truly earth shattering and literally ground breaking discovery.
Fungal reclamation.
Give him the Nobel prize NOW!
We can now reverse the process of our own destruction.
Peace
peace
The music used in this video may now be downloaded (for about a dollar) from iTunes, AmazonMP3, Rhapsody, Napster, and Shockhound. Just do a search on “When I Grow Old” by Mike Allison.
This brings back some awesome memories, working for Nechako Reforestation in 1997. Any old Nechako crew please holler.. Si from Australia
the mushroom is only a small part of the organism. it is the mycillium that is the true the living oranism and this feeds and cleanse the toxins. The mushrooms are like flowers to M. and will always be cyclical. You obviously missed the entire point.
tough to get hired if ur only 16 dude
Kelly is right: you’re all over-educated geeks….Yeah, you heard me GEEKS!!!!
j/k-ing…Kelly needs to read those studies.
Brinkman Camp not floklore!
I love this video. This is why we keep going back.
Also…the song is amazing.
Awesome! My biology professor showed us this in class as an intro to her lecture on fungi and plants.
Great song, great video. Brings back many memories.
I’d have to go ahead and disagree with you on both points there.
This is 100% a Brinkman camp and not Folklore. And, having worked with Folklore for the past 3 years, I would say they have the utmost respect for their planters in every aspect, rendering your comment, essentially inaccurate and thus unfounded.
that company was folklore based in Prince George BC. big company. little respect for their planters. steer clear.
hey im 16 and i am planning on going on the irving crew in nb,i just want to know how long until you get used to the place and routine?and yeah im in it for the experience and the cash for sure
Great video, even better song
The book looks great, but it is definitely not worth reading. If you are into technical analysis, you may derive some use from the text. However, I don’t see why you need a book devoted to biotech for investing on this basis.
There’s a weak chapter on the science (high school level at a stretch); a discussion on investment basics which misses the mark. The markets chapter is fine, but the review of major drug companies is weak. I just found the analysis of the biotech industry to be too weak. There’s simply too little analysis and too much opinion.
I have no idea why there’s a discussion on mutual funds. Unless the particular vehicle is a sector fund, the manager won’t start investing in biotech until the price has appreciated. By then, it’s too late.
The MD and CNBC credentials lead me to believe that this book would provide some dynamic insight or a systematic way for cutting through they hype. Sadly, it did neither.
Rating: 1 / 5
Well done on the song, HOLLA from Australia
@ dancidelics
Smelly hippie.
When you plant a tree, 4 are getting cut down.
And trees dont fully grow in a year… I’m sure you know that
I was told logging companies are obliged by the government to replant 25% of the trees that they cut down. If this is false, please reply.
Yes…yesss…completely! What a radical video and what looks like a good crew! what co. is it?
Awesome!!!!
I actually wrote it myself (Scooter), but I got Mike Allison to sing it for me. He’s got a much better voice than me. We kind of shared duties on the instruments – he did the acoustic guitar and the bass, and I did the piano, electric guitar, drums, and shaker. It got a bit of national radio play last year, so if it sounds familiar, that’s probably why.
whos that song by?
Great video, but please give credit where it’s due: See the Log Driver’s Waltz on NFB website
Handbook of methods for microbiological quality control in pharmaceutical and medical devices
Rating: 5 / 5
As a big fan of Paul Stamets, I think the point to get across is that this is useful for contaminated soil etc. If you are able to capture a diesel spill prior to it getting into the soil or environment…wouldn’t you do that? It doesn’t appear that this is intended for growing mushrooms in straight diesel.
Oooh…I miss mounds….except when its to hot and they turn into little piles of cement in the sun. Great video!
This book is far too basic for anyone who graduated high school biology. It is redundant, condecending, and very poorly edited.
Duarte’s explanations of scientific/ medical concepts are painfully dumbed down. (Admitedly, I too I am a physician, but I think anyone with even a remote scientific background would agree.)
Worse yet, much of the book is composed of generic and dated summaries of the major biopharma companies (not even an appropriate use of paper in the age of [investment websites]
I was hoping to learn from this book fundamental priniciples for evaluating biotechnolgy companies from a seasoned wall street/ medicine hybrid. But Duarte gives too much general investement advice, and too little advice specific to biotechnology investing…
Rating: 1 / 5
That reminds me of my years…wow..its a tough job..i forgot about that!!!! Good job guys..and i appreciate the hard work every silviculture workers do!..as for what gate243 said on job interview….soooo true!
This is a fantastic video! my type of waltz
wow, bringing back all the memories…all the memories..MISS IT quite a bit!
looks great,if only it was like this here in new Zealand
All hail the bottom of the food chain.
Miranda, R. de Souza, C.S. Gomes, E.B. Lovaglio, R.B. Lopes, C.E. Vieira de Queiroz Sousa, M.F. 2007. Biodegradation of diesel oil by yeasts isolated from the vicinity of suape port in the state of Pernambuco –Brazil. Brazilian Archives of Biology & Technology. 50:147-152.
and there are hundreds more of these studies. If you still think your common sense trumps empirical, verifiable, peer reviewed experiments then I give up.
Hahahahahahaha. Oh dear!
No. It is the famous Yohan.
“The tree planters waltz pleases the girls…completely”!! ROFL. That’s awesome!
1:20 : is the dude in the red shirt Jason Konopad ?
Jacques, Rodrigo J. S. Okeke, Benedict C. Bento, Fatima M. Peralba, Maria C. R. Camargo, Flavio A. O. 2007. Characterization of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon – Degrading microbial consortium from a petrochemical sludge landfarming site. Bioremediation Journal. 11:1-11.
Hey man,
Planted with the guy who made this video, after this video was made. No one here is under the impression they are helping the environment out. You are making sik cash working for the bad guy. Sure reclamation and reforestation is better for the environment, but if you’re going to put up with the million horrors of planting you might as well do it for the most $ you can.
Leg Extentions(12) 60, 60, 60, 60
Awesome! Wish I could be there
awesome vid guys! So realistic compared to some of the more glam shots on the web. not that I don’t enjoy romanticizing planting but this one brings back real memories
Thanks for this man. i’m heading up for my first year in may. this really gave me a good idea of what to excpect.
thanks
@swirlingabyss call me at 574 -850-3112 and lets make a wager if you have the guts to..
bro.. on the coast we planted 100 at a BAG UP we still did 1000 a day, thats TEN bag ups on the Oregon Wash coast range… , I’ve planted in OR,WA,AZ,CA ,MT,ID, and Nevada, everywhere in OR and WA, including Mt St Helens 4 years in a row, where we did about 1500 plugs before 11:00am .. estimate of 1.5 million is probably low..I planted at least 1000 a day, every day, every year, your point?… some people just plant slow, some sloppy, some fast, some good, some fast&good, slow &sloppy, whatever
this totally just made my night – I’m sitting here doing a project researching the methods of research ethics [bore] and I just watched this. BOY ! I miss the outdoors and honest labour etc… of the planters life – makes me just want to say F* it and run off again…. Thanks for the vid.
If we could take this to Africa and work from the desert coastine inland we could roll back the deserts and cause it to rain where it no longer rains
The substance supposedly being bioremediated is a mixture of gasoline and oil. It is the lighter volatile compounds in the gasoline that off gas and can be ignited. With all that agitation and swirling, plus the initial burning, you’ve driven off all the light volatile compounds. All that is left is heavy compounds that won’t burn easily, even if torched. Nice try though.
This is great!
No dispersant, this product has 13 different microbe species and 7 different emzimes. There is about 18 trillion microbes in a gallon of our product hungry and ready to consume.
sweet vid man
AdamNazz, there natural occuring and no GMO used in our product. This is the real deal.
If you apply for a treeplanting job and tell the interviewer you want to help the environment, he/she will laugh in your face. Companies are only looking for people who want money and are willing to work hard for it, because these are the only people who will manage to stick with it and plant a lot of trees in spite of the bugs, rain, heat, and isolation. Planters who are doing it to save the planet or because it sounds like an exciting experience end up quitting by the end of the first week.
I’ve read some of the other comments you’ve left on other planting videos over the last 2 years. Kind of sounds like the same stuff over and over again. I understand that there was a lot of bare-root planting in the past, but that is almost completely finished except on the coast. As a planter who has planted way over a million trees, I find it hard to believe your claim that you planted so many only bagging 100 trees at a time in only a 10 year period????
what the eff is this no screef business????!!!!!!! Just plant and stomp eh? ahahaha hope you guys didnt have to replant
f-ing sweet. Almost makes me want to go back planting…almost
.
20 years your insane ; ) , I remember Weyerhaeuser “super trees”, 2-1 bare roots 100 per bag up, with root wads a foot long.I planted for contractors as well as Hoedads out of Eugene, I’ve found very little stuff from the 70s-80’s, Hey I hear you about inspections, really..I’ve worked jobs where they literally laid down and dug roots with toothpicks, seriously,Hoedads has a site ,but not much “video” from those days,I’ll put up what i find, it’s been a long time since the tent,rain, & food runs
I love the work hard play hard dexterity of this video, it captures the hypnotic intensities that waltz planters back each year. Bangin song times ten too.
I admit to being a sceptic- mostly becasue of the speed of the reaction…..
Are they GMO’s??
I’d love to see it under magnification…. do you have any microscopy videos??
Good call, but I would still like to see other resources used that could be more efficient.
Hey; anthonypi, I’ve planted on the BC coast for 20 years and have planted well over 2 million myself. Including a lot of 2-1 plugs and big gnarly 2-0 bareroots but those were years ago. I would love see some online stuff about planting in the States are you aware of any.
Here you have to pass the quality inspected by the licensee at one plot/Hectare straight roots too or fines will occur. Where I plant survival is in the 90% range, and our crew has only seen a couple of small fines in 18 years.
YouAdamKazz, if the microbes didn’t do there job, oil is lighter than water it would of ignited. Water means nothing, I could use 10x’s the water and still start a water fire. The microbes in Baad Bugs destroyed and consumed the hydrocarbons, thats why it doesn’t ignite
I love the work hard play hard dexterity of this video, captures the intensities that allure planters back annually. Bangin song times ten too.
Tree planters make good money? Could I sign up down here in Texas somewhere?
Quality is always checked and scored by Ministry (canadian government) trained officials, and company trained/hired quality techs. Payment to planting companies is based on a quality percentile – with a REQUIREMENT of 95% quality in most cases for full payment. Straight plugs can be planted more quickly now, with better equipment, and more land clearing. Things done in another geo-climatic zone, in another country, two decades ago, are not comparable.
Ahh the memories!
damn im excited for next season
Yeah Goui
kelly is a dumbass.
but of course it didn’t ignite- you just diluted it with 5X of water.
Water is very hard to ignite.
kelly’s still a dumbass though.
and it does seems to be reacting very quickly.
rather .. I meant NO offense but we could never plant like that..
Segerfield,
Our microbes can do this because our microbes are natural occuring right out of the ocean put into a process and we make them ready to go. We have very little surfactant in this product and it’s only there to break the surface tension on the hydrocarbons. We have 18 trillion hungry microbes per gallon in our product. Thats is why it works so fast.
Frick, this is so awesome! I’m totally going to be humming this all day planting.
Fair enough .. but when I planted, it wasn’t just about scalping, either it was about HAVING to have the roots absolutely straight, plots were thrown, roots were dug, etc.. I also inspected plots for the US forest service and planted well over a million and half trees from 2-1’s to plugs, plugs , sure you can sometimes just “stick ‘em in” , so ok planting has changed a lot , I’ll buy that..it was changing by the time i “got out” . I meant offense but we could never plant like that..
indeed it is!
I was light on my feet, humming this tune all day long!
Planting has changed a lot since the 80’s and 90′ s – the massive screefs, have been replaced with duff planting trees whose plugs have enough fertalizer to sustain them for an entire year. As a 10 year vet, I have seen the change, from bigger screefs my first year to pretty much none now a days. It used to be just on the interior plateaus at the high elevation but this style has been adopted by pretty much all foresters and logging companies now. It’s faster and more cost effective.
I think you are right, but it seems too fast,bacteria needs time to do this. Maybe it’s a dispersant.
“This is a must read! Les has a perspective on healthcare and policy far beyond the scope of the average healthcare analyst looking at quarter earnings estimates…
He makes sense of the complexities of healthcare to non-healthcare practicioners and makes clear what you should understand about healthcare investing.
He gets it….”
Rating: 5 / 5
This book clears up some key misunderstandings, such as the different roles of entrepreneurs and VC’s play in the financing process of startup companies. I was struck by the high bar set by the interviewed experts, and their generally shared opinion that the calibre of entrepreneur was a factor subordinate to all others. As the book is written by a person who is coming from the outside VC/biotech start up area, there is little danger of a biased view on the different questions and their respective answers. The questions overall range from a more psychological perspective on how the different actors get along with each other to typical financing and valuation issues to networking opportunities and challenges in the early versus late stage. In short: a high quality advice for people on both sides of the table.
Rating: 5 / 5
OK – while I agree with reforestaion
this vid is really gay.
Just so flaming gay.
Kelly Nelson, you do not know what you are talking about. The emzymes break the hydrocarbon bond down, the microbes consume the hydrocarbon converting the toxic rings into H2O and CO2. Want make a serious bet? If so, please call me at 574-850-3112
Great video, looks like a fun time. What club and city is that footage from?
The bacteria did not do this. If you put a living organism on such a toxic substance like gasoline it will die. There was some other type of mechanism that caused the liquid to be incapable of lighting.
Majorine 420, you must be an ontario slut so ill forgive you. In BC we would call you a ree-planter.
Smokey TIger is a god
Understanding Pharma provides an excellent introduction to (and overview of) the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. It “dissects” a typical pharmaceutical company into its constituent parts and explains, in plain english, how each part works, what it does, how it is organized, etc. It covers pharmaceutical research and discovery, clinical development, marketing, sales, the managed markets (managed care and other third party payers), business development, and so on.
Anyone who works in the industry should read this book, as it provides a matter-of-fact overview of the industry in which they work. Journalists who write about the industry should also read it and maintain a copy as a reference tool.
On the positive side, the book is easy to read, contains numerous diagrams to help explain complex concepts, and is well written.
On the negative side, it contains a number of minor errors throughout, but nothing that affects the usefullness or accuracy of the information. In some areas, the book could use a little extra detail (such as in the chapter on Trade and Distribution).
Overall, however, this is a book well worth reading for anyone working in or associated with the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. It should be on every pharma person’s bookshelf.
Rating: 5 / 5
Naturally occuring bascillus bacteria
‘don’t dwell on the tree’ haha very nice!
who cares about the tree…. just hammer them in the ground, make some money………..
Hope you paid royalties to Wade Hemsworth for “The Log Drivers Waltz”.
Bugs!!
As the owner of gazoline and oil polluted property, I was given a first estimate of $670,000 for site clean-up. After hours of research on the net and reading this book, I contacted a different firm and we were given a decontamination fee of $210,000. That is how good that book was for me.
Rating: 5 / 5
Whats the recipe?
Useful information / text for undergrad thru grad level. Field resource will save you $$$$ so you don’t have to pay for your own mistakes. I’ve added the volume to my library.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is incredibly well written and insightful. The world of healthcare investing is extremely dynamic with all the political developments happening right now – many of the old books seem archaic. Funtleyder’s take on the sector is the most recent so it seems like the only relevant book out there. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to gain a fresh perspective on what’s going on politically and how that will affect the healthcare sector as it pertains to investment. Funtleyder is also incredibly eloquent, so it’s a pleasure to read!
Rating: 5 / 5
That was a thing of great beauty- sirs and madam, i take my pith helment off to you!
yes, but it feels so good smoking one after that big day
I first discovered this book while reviewing the CFA’s website – clearly if they recommended it, the book must have it’s merits. After reading this book, I’m convinced that it’s a must-have for any serious investor. With all the impending health care legislation, the sector can be quite daunting – this book captures the big picture, and provides the reader with the necessary toolkit to make money in this environment.
I look forward to the author’s next book.
Rating: 5 / 5
Hi, may i know what is the type of bacteria that is used as the Baadbugs?
As President Obama is trying to reform health care, there is no better time to familiarize ourselves with investment opportunities in the health care sector. The uncertainty about the future of health care reform makes many investors stay away from this sector. But for the courageous ones, there is a tremendous opportunity to make money. In the end, demand for health care products and services keeps growing. The author does a great job describing to readers how the reform could create investment opportunities and in which subsector of the health care industry these opportunities exist. I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in investing in health care stocks.
- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market
Rating: 5 / 5
Healthcare is such a dynamic field with so much complexity and change that even a seasoned expert must constantly amass new knowledge. As a finance professional who previously worked as a healthcare sector analyst at a prominent Wall Street investment bank, I obtained this book with the goal of complementing my understanding and hopefully, finding some new investment ideas.
Les Funtleyder takes on a rather daunting task: explain everything there is to know about investing in healthcare within a brief 259 pages. I have mixed feelings about his success in accomplishing this goal. While this book has plenty of merit, its good points are countered by some whopping downsides.
The Strengths:
Most healthcare literature is purely about political, administrative, or moral dilemmas, but few sources are purely directed at investment as this. I like the unique, business-minded approach this book takes. The front end of is loaded with facts and statistics relevant to this country’s health care crisis. Les does a fair job educating the reader on healthcare’s current systemic challenges, and outlines the big game played between the ill, providers of treatment, and the private and governmental insurers. Overall he does a terrific job presenting a great deal of topics in laymen’s terms, avoiding most of the technical jargon used in the field. Furthermore, this book is thoroughly researched with an excellent bibliography for further reading. A professional like myself would probably be compelled to look up a few of those sources.
The Weaknesses:
The biggest downside of this book is that it does not have the guts to name names – it does not mention specific companies! By failing to talk about specific players in the industry, a healthcare “investing” book, is somewhat self-defeating. I am not sure if this is due to legal reasons or to keep the book from getting dated too soon. Whatever the reason, this insufficiency reduces most of the book’s discussion to generalized conjecture of “what-if” scenarios in the market.
With such breadth covered, this book also can’t do justice to every subtopic. Understanding specifics is the key to success in a game like healthcare investing, but the book fails in this regard. In many cases, the beneficiaries of certain movements are not clear because there are so few pure plays in healthcare. For example, the book gives a generalized rundown on the future of personalized medicine. One of the major players I know of in personalized medicine is Medco Health Solutions (not mentioned specifically in the book), but pharmagenomics comprises only a small slice of their business with a questionable bottom line impact.
Finally, to whom is this writing directed? I could not tell if Les is targeting retail investors or investment professionals. It feels that his audience lies in some sort of limbo between the two categories. Not good.
Conclusion: I only rate this book two stars because although I found it useful for plugging a few holes in my warehouse of knowledge, its shortcomings override its practical benefits.
Rating: 2 / 5
i’ve been doing some report on bioremediation and i though we could exhcange information with each other.
Wouldn’t smoking hurt your endurance?
This’ll help with my bioremediation project. Thanks!
seriously some of the worst planting i’ve seen..
I planted trees from 1981-1992..that’s just wrong..
I thought this video was very informative. It show live microbes eating the hydrocarbons. I get it!!
In The Frankenfood Myth: How Protest and Politics Threaten the Biotech Revolution, food safety experts Henry Miller and Gregory Conko have written a brilliant account of how self-interest, bad science, and excessive government regulation have profoundly compromised the potential of the new biotechnology. This book is a call to action for policymakers to resist a destructive political process that is currently denying enormous potential benefits to consumers throughout the world.
Many Benefits Outweigh Small Risks
The authors make a persuasive case not only that the benefits of food biotechnology far exceed the risks, but also that there has been an abject failure in the formulation of public policy. The result has been, they argue, gross over-regulation of the technology and its products, disincentives to research and development, and fewer choices and inflated prices for consumers.
Norman Borlaug, 1971 Nobel Prize winner for agriculture, writes in the foreword of this excellent book, “As a plant pathologist and breeder, I have seen how the skeptics and critics of the new biotechnology wish to postpone the release of improved crop varieties in the hope that another year’s, or decade’s, worth of testing will offer more data, more familiarity, more comfort. But more than a half-century in the agricultural sciences has convinced me that we should use the best that is at hand, while recognizing its imperfections and limitations. Far more often than not, this philosophy has worked, in spite of constant pessimism and scare-mongering by critics.”
Important Weapon
Feeding the anticipated global population of more than eight billion people in the coming four decades poses a major challenge. The new biotechnology can help us do things we could not do before, and to do it in a more precise, predictable, and efficient way. The crucial question today is whether farmers and ranchers will be permitted to use that technology.
For a decade, the authors tell us, the United States has produced ever-larger quantities of gene-spliced, insect-resistant corn that yields as much as, or more than, the best traditional hybrids, with far less need for chemical pesticides. No negative health or environmental effects have been observed. Yet there is an immensely strong anti-biotech lobby, especially in Europe, where activists have persuaded many governments to thwart new approvals. They also have successfully opposed the use of gene-spliced corn and soybeans as food aid in famine-stricken parts of Africa and Asia.
In the book’s prologue, John H. Moore, former deputy director of the National Science Foundation, notes, “With the exception of nuclear power, there is perhaps no better example of the power of the irrational fear of new technology overcoming the potential benefits than foods produced with the new biotechnology, or gene-spicing techniques.”
An Ages-Old Tradition
The history of agriculture is a story of genetic modification. For thousands of years, farmers and agriculturists have selected and crossbred plants with desirable characteristics in order to increase yields, improve resistance to pests and disease, and add or enhance other useful traits. Traditional techniques involved cross-pollination of plants, which results in the more-or-less random mixing of vast numbers of genes, sometimes entire genomes.
Along with the desired traits, however, may come undesirable ones, such as weediness or susceptibility to disease. Even so, the overall result of thousands of years of use of such gradual, incremental improvement has been an enormous improvement in agriculture, which has led to cheaper, more nutritious, and more varied food.
Thirty years ago came the advent of modern biotechnology, with its promise of more precise means of improving plant characteristics. These modifications are less likely to cause unintentional, unwanted changes.
Irrational Fear Breeds Tangible Harm
Miller and Conko address the problems of the new biotechnology that have arisen not from limits of technology itself or from the science underlying it, but from the politics, biases, and hidden agendas of activist groups in opposing it. The authors note that widespread adoption of the Precautionary Principle and similar policy approaches would surely diminish greatly the rate of adoption and diffusion of new technologies like biotechnology and all the promise they represent.
The resulting economic misfortune is by no means democratic: Although the wealthy nations will pay a price, the poor peoples of the world will be most harmed.
Miller and Conko document that the same biotechnology that has allowed American farmers to dramatically increase crop yields has also made it possible for America to assist starving people in other nations during times of crop failure or domestic strife. Nevertheless, anti-biotech activists have successfully pressured the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe to reject American food assistance, even during times of mass starvation, because of speculative, unsupported claims of biotech risks.
As the authors explain, “These developments in Africa illustrate one of the absurd problems created by groundless fears about technological change and the potentially dangerous over-regulation to which they give rise. Consumers demand assurances of perfect safety from industries and governments, but such assurances can never be made. When we demand something approaching zero risk, the resulting attempts at caution are often done with a tunnel vision that blinds us to the potentially vast human costs of such an effort. Tragically, many precautionary cures are far worse than the maladies they are meant to prevent.”
Similarly, the authors note, “Supreme Court Justice Steven Breyer cites the examples of an EPA ban of asbestos pipe, shingles, coating, and paper, which the most optimistic estimates suggest would prevent seven or eight premature deaths over thirteen years at a cost of approximately a quarter of a billion dollars. Breyer notes that such a vast expenditure can be expected to cause more deaths simply by reducing the resources available for other public amenities than it would prevent from the asbestos exposure.”
Henry Miller, M.D., is a research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. Gregory Conko is director of food safety policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. They have created in this book a resource that should convince any open-minded opponent of biotechnology that their arguments simply do not hold water.
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Dr. Jay Lehr ([...]) is science director for The Heartland Institute.
Rating: 3 / 5
I appreciate your enthusiasm and hard work. However, when it comes to phytoremediation, you are making the lead more bio-available. There are currently no incinerators in the US that accept plants which have been used to remove heavy metals from soil. Do not put them in a landfill – despite RockinJoeDavis’ well-intentioned advice. I’m glad you are trying to restore balance to the soil – but do a little more research and I’m sure you’ll find a safer method.
they dont have a clue about planting trees, its disgraceful
You are supposed to landfill the surface plants in the fall. Why all the nasty and racist comments folks, there is no food being grown and no forced labour involved. The vacant property looks good with sunflowers.
J-ing the roots are more of a problem with bare root planting. I know you said in one of your vids that bare root were uncommon where you are. Here in Texas they are very common. Cheers.
Dang, I really want to bond with nature Albertan style, yet if that includes bonding with that many black flies…
the little black flies, always the black flies no matter where I go, I’ll die with the black flies picking my bones…
My boundries seem violated with 3 of them, or or just take 1 determined blud succa, trying to nest in my ears.
But, I suppose it’s a case of imersing oneself completely; whence-for you either adapt, or retract.
I’m going to need a steady pair…uh, of boots I mean.
I fackin love the vid…whats the song? But man your guys plantin looks a lil harder than dibble planting!!
The lead ends up in the plants and is extremely bio-available in that form.
And you feed that stuff to women’s shelters?
Lead phytoremediation simply ends up with the lead in the plants!
Henry I. Miller has navigated successfully a very challenging course as a popular writer: weaving together a basic education in bioscience and biotechnology and an orientation to the public policy arena and its responses to scientific advance for a general audience. His book could not possibly be more timely for those of us living in Sonoma County, California as we are facing a ballot initiative in November, 2005 which would ban GMO products and research in our county. This initiative was conceived and is being pushed by the very forces identified and analyzed so well in The Frankenfood Myth. Without this excellent resource, we might have entered this contest unarmed. The book is necessarily detailed and needs to be followed closely. It is not a light read, but then the subject is inherently complex and needs to be treated with appropriate sobriety and seriousness. We are living through an exciting new stage in the evolution of agriculture. The Frankenfood Myth invites us to study and understand that evolution and gives us the means to avoid the fears and terrors which sometimes accompany rapid change while keeping our political balance.
Rating: 5 / 5
How come there weren’t any black people working??
what do you do with the sunflowers that are full of lead??
corn is a waste of time on a small scale.
but keep on rocking!!
Good for you! Phytoremediation is remediation done by plants. Where did the lead in soils come from?
looks cool.. was that a Summit crew.. one of the girls there I planted with in 2005 was in it.
Cheers, I don’t plant anymore… did my ACL in while skiing in the Kootenays this winter.. but maybe in the future.. who knows!
Since when did planters stop kicking holes shut?
Hey any word on the full thing? it looks awesome. i’m headin out in like 8 days. Only thing is i gotta fly over from ireland first. I uploaded a video i made last summer; search for “milo planting” and you’ll find it. awesome
The solid portion of municipal waste water deposited at the bottom. Through years of accumulation, it becomes heavy sludge.
The solid portion of municipal waste water deposited at the bottom. Through years accumulation, it becomes heavy sludge.
So how did the sludge accumulate in the first place? Just curious.
Loved planting not sure i could do it now that i hit 40!…lol…
It is time for people to stop being frightened of gene splicing, etc. when it is the answer to so much hunger and resource consumption. If we are really serious in helping third world countries as well as our own, we must quell these fears of genetic engineering causing us to erupt with three eyes or similar deformities while those in need of such resources are denied the benefit of crops that could relieve their situation.
Rating: 5 / 5
David Harper manages a biotechnology investment firm and is a research associate in the Zoology Department at the University of British Columbia. He draws on both his financial and technical expertise in his book Investing in Biotech.
The first half of the book presents the science of biotechnology at a level appropriate for the intelligent layperson. He explains the difference between biotech and traditional pharmaceuticals (large molecules often produced by the human body versus small molecules), describes the framework of disease (anatomy, physiology, pathology, and treatment), presents the various approaches to developing biotech drugs (e.g., gene therapy, monoclonal antibodies, antisense), and identifies specific types of disease which biotech products may treat (cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, transplantation).
The second half presents factors to consider and strategies to employ in biotech investing. A biotech company’s pipeline of potential future drugs is the most important factor in evaluating its investment potential. However, the value of each individual pipeline drug must be evaluated in terms of its progress through the process of clinical trials leading to approval and each drug must be assigned an appropriate weighting which increases as the drug progresses through these trials. Harper also presents his own formula for determining the value of biotech stocks which I have not seen elsewhere. It uses book value, share price, sales per share, and cash per share to estimate a stock’s “financial valuation”; shares outstanding, average daily volume, institutional investment, and volatility (beta) to estimate “liquidity”; and present share price together with the 52-week high and low to represent “scope for growth”. These three components are then combined to determine the overall valuation.
This approach appears to be heuristic rather than one grounded in classical financial valuation theory (as presented, for example, in Investment Valuation by Aswath Damodaran). Harper’s approach may be particularly useful in valuing companies that are not currently profitable but would be more convincing if he provided either an explanation of how the formula was developed or historical data that justifies its use.
Harper concludes by applying his formula to evaluate the investment potential of numerous biotech companies as of the date of his writing. He stresses that this evaluation is only valid at that one point in time and will change with the rapidly changing technology and financial status of the companies.
Overall, Harper’s book was interesting and very helpful in understanding the science of biotech. I would caution against using his approach to allocate a major percentage of any portfolio to biotech stocks (which Harper does not advocate). I don’t mind an occasional small bet on a currently unprofitable company but prefer to invest primarily in companies (including some biotechs) with current and growing profits.
In addition to Damodaran’s rather technical book cited above, a reader interested in this area might also consider Michael Murphy’s Every Investor’s Guide to High-Tech Stocks and Mutual Funds which covers biotech and other forms of technology from an investor’s viewpoint.
Rating: 4 / 5
Edited by food science and health experts Barbara M. Lund and Paul R. Hunter, The Microbiological Safety of Food in Healthcare Settings is a scholarly textbook useful to students and professionals in all aspects of the food industry, yet especially invaluable to physicians, doctors, and nurses responsible for controlling the effects of food-borne pathogens and protecting those patients who are most vulnerable. A variety of experts in the field present in-depth information concerning properties of microorganisms that cause foodborne disease, issues concerning provision of food and water in healthcare settings, practical implementation of food safety management systems in healthcare settings, and much more. Black-and-white charts, graphs, and illustrations enhance the instructive, in-depth text. “Considerable caution must be used if reheating is carried out using microwave ovens. Only ovens designed for commercial use must be used and these only according to the manufacturer’s instructions (NHS, 1996), and it is essential that a temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius for 2 minutes should be achieved in all parts of the food. A commercial microwave oven must have a suitable defrost programmed if it is to be used for thawing frozen food.” Highly recommended for intermediate to advanced food science students, and a lifesaving “must-have” for healthcare professionals.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Frankenfood Myth provides, rather colorfully, a history of the regulation of food and drugs in the U.S. and an interesting insider’s take on the motivation of the federal employees doing that regulating. It also represents a different point of view in the debate over agricultural genetic engineering. Its authors disagree not only with the not-for-profit organizations like Environmental Defense and Greenpeace, but also with companies in the biotech industry like Monsanto and Novartis, about how to appropriately regulate the products of this “new biotechnology.” More middle-of-the-road and consumer-oriented organizations, like the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology and the Center for Science in the Public Interest, aren’t approaching it correctly either, the authors contend. Even the National Academy of Sciences, at least in its reports released since genetically engineered crops have been commercialized anyway, has it wrong! Miller and Conko’s position may, in fact, be unique.
But their main point–that gene-spliced organisms, particularly crop plants produced for food and drugs, are being regulated too stringently in the United States–is not, in my opinion, adequately documented or otherwise substantiated enough to be convincing. And some of their supporting issues–such as those related to process vs. product, the adequacy of post-market policing, the effects of labeling–struck me as inconsistent as well.
For example, the authors claim, with no citation, that the “regulatory requirements for gene-spliced plants and foods have been ratcheted up steadily for nearly twenty years….” But, over the last nearly twelve years, the USDA has reduced, not “ratcheted up,” much of its regulation of gene-spliced organisms–at least of those intended for food (as opposed to drug) production. It created a simplified notification procedure for some varieties of gene-spliced corn, cotton, potato, soybean, tobacco and tomato in 1993, for example, and in 1997 it extended that notification procedure to include all non-weed plants. And, as mentioned in the book, the FDA rigorously regulated the bacterial protein present in every cell of the first, commercialized, whole, gene-spliced food as a “food additive.” Going from that level of regulation to the voluntary system FDA uses today doesn’t support the authors’ “ratcheted up” description either.
Miller and Conko also claim that the “voluntary consultation procedure” currently in effect at the FDA is “voluntary in name only” because “in fact every gene-spliced plant variety commercialized so far has undergone premarketing review.” But they give no reference to back up this important claim. And, given that the system is voluntary, it may be impossible to actually establish it as fact.
As to the EPA, which regulates gene-spliced organisms that produce pesticides, and the USDA’s oversight of drug-producing crops, the authors’ “ratcheted up” regulation comment still doesn’t seem to support their broader thesis of “unwarranted regulatory oppression.” Over the last decade, all the regulatory “incidents” involving gene-spliced crops–like the putative allergen that got into our food supply, and the animal vaccine that contaminated a soybean crop–occurred in spite of the “oversight” of these two agencies. For EPA and USDA to have “ratcheted up” their regulatory requirements in response to these kinds of incidents seems both warranted and appropriate.
In sum, The Frankenfood Myth outlines problems with the way gene-spliced organisms are regulated in the U.S. It does so using adjectives like “witless” and nouns like “nincompoopery,” and so may be especially entertaining for people who like that sort of thing. But Miller and Conko’s case for less regulation being the solution to these problems was, for me, too often inconsistent and inadequately documented to be persuasive.
Rating: 3 / 5
“Real World Drug Discovery” sounded very interesting, which is why I ordered it. It reads like a text book & is beyond my knowledge. I did mention it to my son, who’s working on his Master’s in Cellular Biology. He said it sounded like a book he’d be interested in – so its on its way to Dallas.
Rating: 5 / 5
Miller and Conko deserve much credit for their painstaking presentation and research. They document and present the issues of what has gone wrong with biotechnology regulation and public confusion and unawareness of the issues. A MUST for anyone who has any interest in thinking about our world.
Rating: 5 / 5
First of all – no index.
Second – the CD has examples that are poorly and inconsistently formatted. To use them, you’d have to spend time formatting everything. They should have used fonts, styles, etc. that are used in standard documents.
Thirdly – the book is huge so you’d expect more information on what to put in a Purpose, a Scope, etc. You don’t get that. Instead you get a bunch of examples that must have been pulled from one or two companies.
If you are a professional writer like me, you don’t want to waste time. You want something in template format that you can easily adapt to your company’s product.
If there had been a review of this – I never would have bought it. I’m sorry but this book could have used an Editor. It was so disappointing and I’m so happy that Amazon understood my feelings and accepted the return of this book.
For a potential writer – here is a market! There are startup or small biotech/biomed companies that are trying to meet FDA regulations on SOPs and other related documents. Write a book and provide a CD with decent templates and examples! Hey, maybe I should do that. Good luck. I haven’t found any other book that would help either….
Rating: 1 / 5
While the title and subtitle of this book were rather eye-catching, the book itself was a little flat and at times disjointed. It’s one thing to discuss the potential for the use of stem cells in regenerative meddicine, or the use of nuclear transfer as a cloning technique. It’s a whole other ballgame to discuss this side by side with caloric restriction diets, cryonics, and some of the other transhumanist mumbo jumbo that Alexander talks about.
Scientific progresses generally trickle into mainstream medicine as can be seen by the ability to live with every day disorders like myopia, asthma, and colds or even thosee healthy with the HIV virus. But what about those who take scientific progresses and try to propel them into a science fiction novel. Thats what the author here does. Perhaps he was going for a provocative book, wanting to draw attention to how biotech COULD change the world around us. But in reality, he left out the current advances and the medical implications and spends TOO much time talking about the transhumanists.
I would have preferred an indepth look at the scientists and the science. If you like books about stem cells please check out Cynthia Fox’s “Cell of Cells”. That was a book that discussed the directions of stem cells, with interesting stories and less meanderings into fictitious what-ifs.
Rating: 3 / 5
So much regulation. wow
I hope you’re planting more than one type of tree.
A chemistry degree or even a post-doc is the ticket to the dance; you won’t land in the pharma or biotech industry without it. However, once you have a job within this specialized field you’ll find that much more is required to excel. A working knowledge of other disciplines–scientific and non-scientific alike–is needed. One may find that what you weren’t taught and don’t know is as deep a pool as your knowledge base–and wider. Adequate cross-disciplinary apprenticeship may take up to fifteen years. School is not out quite just yet.
The new researcher needs a practical guidebook to help him or her navigate these waters. Real World Drug Discovery is just such a short-cut toward accelerated career growth. The author has nearly 30 years of broad experience with major companies in the field, as well as extensive involvement in both the academic and government environments. You can trust this guiding hand. The table of contents is helpful and detailed for ready reference. Fully indexed.
Rating: 5 / 5
Good book, talks about things from both the scientific and economic standpoint, which are critical elements in drug discovery. Although written for the scientific reader, this is also invaluable to a prospective or current investor in pharmaceuticals (assuming they at least have some background in the sciences) since it makes you understand the processes involved in getting drugs to the market. Chapters are well written to spool you up on terminology that you may have forgotten, so I appreciated this as it’s been years since I’ve been out of the synthesis labs.
Rating: 5 / 5
Unless love leads you back, avoid going the same place twice.
The music used in this video may now be downloaded (for about a dollar) from iTunes, AmazonMP3, Rhapsody, Napster, and Shockhound. Just do a search on “Some Place I’ve Never Been” by Mike Allison.
I wanted to like this book. However, I found the writing very droll. I just couldn’t feel the emotion, the ideals, the “rapture” of the subject matter. Instead, the book is bogged down in endless and pointless biographical details…this person did this, and then this, and so on. Maybe I’m not giving it the benefit of the doubt, but there are other books on transhumanism I found far more interesting, informative, and readable.
Rating: 2 / 5
im going to florida on my birthday with parents and my brother
that video waz sad why cant hunters just leave them alone everyone should help save panthers
Correct. So a good foreman or crew boss will make sure that everyone on the block is planting acceptable quality, and not let some of his or her favorite people plant sub-par trees while other planters are forced to plant above-average trees to make the overall average work out.
That’s so adorable my favorate big cat is the lion but i love all big cat’s there such beautiful animal’s all my room’s in my house just has picture’s and ornament’s of big cat’s SAVE THE TIGER.
This is a textbook like book that is way, way beyond me. I’m guessing you’d have to be an upper division Chem student, or an engineer of some kind to be able to grasp what’s between these pages. Fortunately, I know some people in Trinidad who would really get some use out of this book.
My hubby Dub and I live half the year on a sailboat in the Caribbean and we know some guys who work offshore on oil rigs, who we see quite often when we’re in Trinidad. We brought them down a pipeline book and this one as well. One guy, in particular, was very pleased with this book. He has a son starting Med school and he says this would be right up his alley.
Our friends down there say this is a five star book all the way and I’m going to have to defer to them in their rating, as they are vastly more qualified than me when it comes to a book like this. If you’re thinking about purchasing this book, I hope what I’ve said helps and I’m sorry I couldn’t be a little more informative about it.
Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne
Rating: 5 / 5
So what youre saying is that the forrester usually evaluates the trees planted as a team and not individually?
Brian Alexander writes about many people I happen to know. In fact, his description of the Extropian movement in the early 1990’s made me rather nostalgic.
But he doesn’t seem to understand why people would want to conquer aging and death, and he performs a disservice by characterizing the movement as a “religion,” by which he means a belief system that’s impractical or lacking factual support. Scientists have radically extended the lives of certain species of laboratory animals in apparent good health. Because of the conservative nature of the genome across species, similar biochemical pathways probably exist in humans that we might be able to use to retard aging and greatly extend our healthy lives well past 120 years.
Religions, by contrast, don’t have anything like an animal model to demonstrate that their beliefs can send animals’ “souls” to otherworldly heavens, much less human “souls.” So comparing physical immortalism with a religion is patently absurd.
Still, I gave the book three stars because Alexander provides some valuable information and historical insight into a social movement that promises to revolutionize the human condition, unless the Kassian “Yuck” faction succeeds in suppressing it.
Rating: 3 / 5
This book is an excellent resource for those wanting to understand the development cycle of pharmaceuticals and the factors that influence discovery, development, testing, approval, and marketing.
Having diabetes, I participate in pharmaceutical studies. Nothing on the market has ever been able to truly get my A1C where it needs to be despite careful diet, exercise, changing physicians, and being vigilant about not missing my medications. I most enjoyed the “Periodic Table of Drugs”.
I have had many friends who work in the pharmaceutical industry, and this book expanded my knowledge and helped me to better understand the industry and how it works.
If you have a good understanding of chemistry, biology, and business, you’ll be able to understand and appreciate this book. Pre-med students who are interested in medicine but not necessarily a career as a physician might get some good ideas on other career paths from this book. Gifted high school students interested in a career in Bio-Technology might also get something out of this, but for those without a background or education in science might find this a difficult read at times.
Rating: 5 / 5
I love cougars
cougars are my favriot animal and big cat in the wourld.
they cant set them free because they are going extint. you need to have them reproduce more and more until its “under control”. but yet then may get run over as so many of them have. . .
If you are interested in a critical review of the Biotech issues, this is NOT the book for you. If you are searching for arguments against GMO’, big business, and pro big government; you have found a source. Daniel Charles has hidden neither his bias nor his ignorance of the subject. He draws on old studies (Monarch Butterfly larvae) and does not discuss the latest findings, because the latest findings do not support his position. He hangs adjutives on employees of the business world to ensure the reader knows they are “evil”. The ineptness of big government is never addressed. Having served as a military officer, I can tell you that if the military had been as one-sided in dealings with Mr Charles’ employer (NPR), the military would have been brought to task… It is a shame we have not discovered the gene to improve critical thinking, Mr. Charles soarly needs the modification.
Rating: 2 / 5
Why cant you guys set them free?
Great job Julie!
Lovely tribute for the week…and into the future.
Thanks for the preview of Sophia, she looks pretty comfy here.
ahw there so cute and any cat animal is my fav animal i hope that when im 18 in 3 years i can work there
The contemplation of genetic engineering and many other modern technologies frightens many, and a study of this book reveals that the author is one of these people. But instead of just quaking with fear and living life shivering and shaking, the author presents a case, and a fairly good one, for dealing with the risks of genetic engineering, particularly in the use of transgenic strategies in human and animal foodstuffs. Much of the discussion in the book relies on anecdotal evidence, and sometimes the author makes unsubstantiated claims (such as the discussion on Long Term Capital Management) about the attitudes and intentions of those who are involved in genetic engineering, either in a commercial or a regulatory context, but as a whole the book is a good presentation of the risks involved in this technology. All interested parties should read it, particularly those (such as this reviewer) who are die-hard advocates of genetic engineering. Understanding the risks will assist in sharpening the tools of genetic engineering, making it more efficacious in terms of the health of all biological organisms.
The author’s attitude is refreshing in that she does not express the excess of veneration that is typically displayed towards experts and professional scientists. She is also quite rare among authors in this regard, and her cautionary advice regarding this type of veneration is welcomed. She is careful though to distinguish between the uncritical adulation sometimes paid towards scientists and the denial of the scientific method itself. The author is aware that the path to scientific truth is full of missteps and mistaken hypotheses, but as a tool science is the method to human health and sound medicine.
The author ends the book with brief descriptions of the two latest “threats” to biological stability and human health, namely nanotechnology and synthetic biology. She cites some of the research dollars that are apparently being poured into these technologies, particularly the former. It must be remembered that a commercial product that is advertised to be based on say nanotechnology or some other “exotic” technology may in reality be rather “plain vanilla.” Just because a product is marketed as having certain properties does not mean it really does. There are many, many examples of false advertising in the marketplace, and displaying a product as the “latest thing in nanotechnology” does not mean that it is. Individuals who feel threatened by nanotechnology may therefore be worrying about something that is actually quite benign and simple. But as this book demonstrates, worry and fear must be replaced by sound advice, and seeing the “big picture”, as the author puts it, will make all technologies much more effective in the long run.
Rating: 4 / 5
BEAUTIFUL video of BEAUTIFUL cats who deserve to live free of human depredation and destruction. Defend ALL cat species and ensure their continued survival, prey and habitat availability. Big Cat Rescue is the best!
I’m an (unemplyed) agronomist and I live in Brazil.I bought this good book by Amazon.This boook is good and full of informations.
The problem of this book is that, it sometimes makes some mistakes.To example, in prologue is writed that:”Soybeans came from China, corn from Central America and wheat probably originated somewhere in sothwestern Asia.”
The soybeans and corn informatios are correct, but the author couldn’t tells us, that wheat was originated in Middle East.I can understand that an american hate Islam, but I can’t understand why an american author make this mistake such as this.He must remeber that wheat wasn’t domesticated by islamics, but was originated thousands of years before the islamism be created.
Again, on page 41, the author claims that Alexander Graham Bell was a genius.Not correct.Graham Bell, didn’t invented the telephone, who was in fact invented by an italian called Antonio Meucci.Even the american congress realized this fact some years ago.In fact, Graham Bell (a jew) was deeply linked to eugenics movement such as to example: The Wright Brothers,Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, John D. Rockefeller, John P. Morgan(jew as Bell), Lenin(jew), Trotsky (jew), Dr. Morris Fishbein (AMA’s president and also a jew),etc.
Even with this mistakes, this book is good and informative about this subject.
Rating: 4 / 5
Thank you. 5 stars
Hi, scooter.
I didn’t know you are an environmentally concerned when I was in Sackville.
I am going to think about this problem, yes.
Thank you =)
Help panthers!
I know many of the people outlined in this book and am deeply involved in cloning. Alexander’s portrayal of me and my activities was accurate & pithy but was unduly one-dimensional.
However, this is a brilliant work which ties together ideas that have combined within the past decade or so to become a movement called Transhumanism.
By connecting the thoughts of early scientific dreamers with the realities of modern day biotechnology, Brian Alexander deserves the glowing cover blurb by Glen McGee:
“Brian Alexander has turned the most important scientific revolution since Galileo into an adventure story that touches your mind and soul. No writer has ever dug this deep or looked forward this imaginatively. With Rapture, Alexander has become the voice of biotechnology for the 21st Century.”
As a cloning activist, I usually end up debating McGee on the air. However, he is right on target here. Alexander is quite right that science and biotechnology have become a new religion for disparate groups that believe in cryonics, cloning, life extension, etc. Many don’t like the label “religion” because religionists are usually the ones persecuting them. The historic philosophical roots of this religion versus science debate provide a useful perspective to the new debates we are having in this new age.
If I could give it ten stars, I would. It is really the most informative “connecting” book I have ever read.
Rating: 5 / 5
wow man u got a lot going on. tried to get on your crew this season but it didnt pan out. i ended getting a pretty sweet forman and crewmates anyway. keep up the hard work
Thanks Julie. It was great to see Sophia’s first online appearance since her rescue.
I’d go tree planting scooter.
“Rapture” is a truly interesting book, and worthy of serious consideration. It explores the bio-utopian impulse in modern America, charting the last thirty-some years of research into human biology and how it might apply to a range of issues. These include not only the decoding of the human genome for the improvement of human life, but also the possibilities of life extension for decades and perhaps centuries. Those who advocate life extension see a “brave new world,” pun intended, in which all are healthy, happy, and wise. They view it as the next stage in human evolution. It is a heady goal, one that has consumed some billionaires and fueled a revolution in bio-technology. Public advocates in the United States range from billionaire William Haseltine to Ray Kurzweil, but include thousands more in a subculture known to few.
Advocacy of bio-utopian ideas opens a wide array of ethical considerations, and opposition to it has ensured a rollicking debate between the extreme positions. The bio-luddites, in author Brian Alexander’s parlance, question the morality of altering the human body through genetics, chemicals, or technology. They recall images of Nazi eugenics and the selective breeding of humans. Those in favor, of course, emphasize the positive results of intervention in whatever form it might take.
My own interest in this subject comes from my study of the past, present, and possible future of spaceflight. For instance, one of the truly fascinating developments associated with interstellar spaceflight is the possibility of a trans-human migration. In fulfilling the spacefaring dream, the intelligent life to leave Earth and colonize the galaxy may not be entirely human in form. Extensive discussions have taken place in recent years on the relationship between artificial computer intelligence, biotechnology, and human evolution. In spite of its obvious relevance to space travel, little of this has been extended to outer space, and it is not in “Rapture” either, but it offers a fascinating possibility.
The rigors of galactic flight that will likely confine humans to the inner solar system might not confine reengineered humans that have a cyborg quality about them. Given the great difficulties of interstellar flight, humans reengineered to withstand long duration space travel, possibly iwth technological enhancements might represent the future of spaceflight. The possibilities are truly amazing and somewhat weird, and as remote today from common experience as were the early images of space travel to the people who first envisioned them. Nonetheless, they are not wholly impossible. Because of current directions in technology, a trans-human galaxy is not beyond the realm of possibility. In one such vision, biological species become so technologically proficient that they cease to exist in purely biological form. The possibilities for trans-human evolution has the potential to radically alter the dominant paradigm of human spaceflight.
This interesting popular history of the trans-human movement is an important statement of an evolving debate in modern American society. We see vestiges of it in everything from the controversies over stem cell research to the fight over cloning. While I await a scholarly history of the trans-human movement, this work by Brian Alexander is a fine addition to the literature.
Rating: 4 / 5
I am not familiar with genetics, genomics, post genomics and all this stuff, but I read Intervention with a lot of interest, as a guide into the unknown.
I would feel more confident if more scientists understood the problems it raises.
Caruso develops an aproach that, I am convinced, we should encourage. An atitude of openness and cautiousness in front of what’s changing and that we don’t know. Be there, participate with a critical mind might be the smartest way of entering the future as we make it happen. Be open to all stakeholders knowledge and understanding might be the safest way to move forward.
This is one of the most difficult thing I can think of. But Caruso is of considerable help with the processes she suggests we should adopt.
Rating: 4 / 5
As one of Daniel Charles’s sources and a very minor character in this book, I was disappointed at how a writer with so much inside information about what happened could tell a story that got what happened so wrong in an effort to make it dramatic and appealing.
Arthur Hailey’s novels Airport, Hotel, Wheels, etc. comprise some of the better books that expose and glamorize the inside workings of an otherwise mundane industry. Of course, if it were really that enjoyable and interesting, they wouldn’t call it work, they’d call it fishing and we’d do it for free. But Arthur Hailey wrote fiction, and he was smart enough to stay off the farm. Not so with Daniel Charles.
The enterprise of agriculture is more mundane than most, if only because it takes months of gradual growth and development to produce a crop, and years of almost imperceptible change to develop a new product. Much of the time is spent just waiting. Turning science into technology can produce beautiful and interesting results without the process itself being either glamorous or interesting. It’s people going to work and doing their jobs. Most of us working in the field believed we knew what could be done and thought we could figure out how to do it. What made the process so difficult were the different visions of that same reality, visions sufficiently disparate that two people coming out of the same meeting had diametrically opposite understandings about what had been said and what had been agreed to. If that sounds like standard operating procedure in corporate America, welcome to the real world. It’s three steps forward, two steps back, day after day. You might as well try to glamorize a trip to the barber shop.
Fact-based? It is. Balanced? It may be. But to at least some of us who were (and are) there, it still reads like fiction.
Rating: 2 / 5
I had to read this book for a class at Cornell (life science entrepreneurship), and have to say I really enjoyed it. You must be into biology to get the beginning of the book, however, or it would appear pretty dry. The end is where most of the business insight comes into play. Overall, the book uses research, interviews, and analysis to paint an impressive picture of the emergence of biotechnology, using both scientific and economic points of view. If you are interested in where your food comes from, this book will both reassure and disturb you.
Rating: 5 / 5
I think their population will always be just around 100,,sems like florida can’t or won’t be able to host any more. I guess one good thing is you will never see a panther hunting season in Fla…hopefully
Jonathon, I really appreciate the steps you are doing to improve the environment. I especially enjoy your planting trees for over 20 years, that is INCREDIBLE!! we could use a lot more scooters in our lives
thank you and keep up the great work!
It’s listed on the end of the video.
That’s awesome, best video of this kind so far.
Here is a good and informative collection of essays, written from a Christian perspective, concerning the importance of contemporary bioethical issues. Though the authors come from a variety of experiential and academic backgrounds, they are all untied in both their commitment to genuinely Christian cultural engagement and in defending the God given dignity of human beings in an age in which the Christian view of humanity is under increasing assault.
All of the essays are worth reading, but the ones I found most informative and helpful came from Nigel Cameron, C. Christopher Hook, David Prentice, William Saunders, and Page Comstock Cunningham. William Saunders essay was particularly valuable to me for the way in which he demonstrates how the arguments currently used to disenfranchise the human embryo and declare it less than a person are virtually identical to those used by the Nazis to declare certain classes of people “unfit” or less than persons. Hook deals with the issues surrounding “transhumanism” and the altering of the human body through technological modification. David Prentice addresses the question of what it means to be human and how this question is central to issues surrounding research using human embryonic stemcells. He discusses how the use of human embryos for research violates basic ethical norms for research done on human beings, and how there are ethical alternatives to using human embryos in research. Both Cameron and Cunningham deal with issues of strategy in publicly addressing bioethical matters and defending human dignity. Cameron’s essay is particularly valuable for the way in which it addresses our current cultural climate and its relationship to bioethical issues, particularly relating to the culture of abortion. He also addresses well the state of the contemporary church and its preparedness (or lack thereof) to address such important issues.
If you want to be informed about bioethical issues from a Christian perspective, are simply interested in how some Christians are approaching these issues, or are concerned about question of human dignity in contemporary culture, this book is definitely a worthwhile read.
Rating: 4 / 5
What instrument was used to measure hydrocarbons ?
This book was just a very pleasant historical overview of the biotechnology growth in agriculture. This presented the various companies that were in competition in the new industry: Monsanto, Dupont and some of the European companies. This was told in a very good story approach, giving different perspectives from different times and from different people (including scientists and protesters). The most interesting part is Monsanto’s comparison as the “Microsoft of biotechnology” due to its predator practice of licensing DNA around their roundup ready seeds. However, they did differ in the approach from Microsoft, as they made the approach from going straight to the corporate farmers in hopes to quickly cash in on the science. I believe this might have been their downfall (and that include other companies that did this too). If they would have followed Microsoft strategy of coming up through the small personal farmers and maybe even the small time gardeners, they might achieved the Microsoft fame and captured most all of the market. Instead, they lost market shares and squabbles in the biotechnology backlash. All in all the book, really gives the story well enough to come away with more understanding of what occurred and part of the scare around genetically modified foods and plants. These companies mentioned in the book all now share science information and are back to a more scientific rather than overly corporate approach. The only complaint that many people have on this book, is it ends at the time right before the biotech is starting to explode again. And excellent read!
Rating: 4 / 5
Is treeplanting that terrible ? I mean you are doing something for the environment so you should be happy and don’t just think about the money, couch potato mofos.
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Nice Jay! I can only smile about the nine years of good and bad times with y’all…somehow I do miss it.
god, 6 years and im out! christ did i hate it, but it paid for uni and then some. what else could offer that?
but i swear, if i see one more dreaded whiteboy…
thx for this, well put together.
Denise Caruso brilliantly articulates issues around genetic engineering with clarity and insight in Intervention. Everyone who cares about issues of the 21st Century, needs to read this book. – Tiffany Shlain
Rating: 5 / 5
so was i ..i was on the Common Ground crew from 1980’s..hoedads was teh bomb…
The title of this collection of essays is both a good summary of the book and an important warning as to where we are headed as a society. Certainly the 21st century will be known as the century of biotechnology. Whether genetic engineering, designer babies, human cloning, stem cell research or nanotechnology, the advances in this field will continue apace. But so too will the ethical concerns.
Indeed, what it means to be human, what it is to be a person, and questions of human worth and dignity are all raised in the light of these new technologies. While perhaps all of the technologies are being championed as means to a better human end, many more cautious minds are expressing concerns about the potential for dehumanisation and a cavalier attitude toward life. Very real concerns about the state of personhood and the uniqueness of human life are engendered by the new biotech.
Clear ethical and social understanding of where the new technologies are taking us is thus the order of the day, and the editors of this book are well-suited to the task. They have both been at the forefront of ethical and theological reflection on the direction of the new biotech revolution. Charles Colson has long championed the need for a biblical worldview to assess where western society is heading, and Cameron is a leading bioethicist who has been dealing in these issues for quite some time now. His important volume The New Medicine, penned back in 1991, was one of the early wake-up calls as to where the new medical technologies were taking us.
In this volume we have twelve essays written by experts in the field, experts such as David Prentice, Richard Doerflinger, Wesley Smith and William Saunders. They all offer relevant expertise in the areas of medicine, genetics, the new reproductive technologies, and biotechnology. But they also combine with that expertise the necessary moral, theological and philosophical framework by which to judge these new advances.
Cameron’s opening chapter sets the stage, reminding us that it is not just such fields as embryology and genetics that we need to be up on, but anthropology as well. That is, we need to see the bigger picture of what it is to be human. The authors here all approach their anthropology by way of the Judeo-Christian worldview.
Cameron discusses three developments in the field of bioethics. In the first period, discussion centered on whether and when we should take life, as in the abortion and euthanasia debates. During the second period, the debate was on the making of human life, as in IVF. The most recent period has focused on the manipulation and manufacture of life, as in robotics and nanotechnology. Cameron says this progression really entails talk of taking life to making life to faking life. Not a bad summary of the way biotech has been evolving.
Cameron urges a two-pronged strategy for dealing with these trends. One, a strong pro-life paradigm must be articulated. Two, working alliances with more politically progressive groups may be needed if we wish to stem the tide of runaway Big Biotech.
The other authors also provide stimulating and informative offerings. Most of the big ethical question get a lengthy hearing. When does life begin? Are there limits to science and technology? Who owns our genes? Will a clone have a soul? Are we witnessing a new eugenics? These and related questions are more than adequately covered in this comprehensive and incisive volume.
The meaty chapters in this book focus on a number of the new biotech developments, but all with a view to maintaining human dignity and value. With science and technology fast outstripping our moral and social reflection on them, a book like this a vitally needed to help us think critically, ethically and in an informed manner. Thus this volume deserves a very wide reading indeed.
Rating: 5 / 5
Hey nice vid J, I hear you are back…..Ill see you in a week.
Don’t worry, you will probably not die. I recommend that you give yourself at least 3 weeks before deciding if you should really quit. If you are going to plant in Ontario, tell yourself “this is my rookie year and it will not always be this horrible.”
I loved the Opener, made me laugh. The music was great, really made me think why the hell Im going back to the Bush this summer.
But Good nonetheless.
I planted in 90, 91 and 93 and i always asked myself why am i doing this before leaving but when you get there it all comes back! Great times!!!
I bought “Intervention” a couple of months ago and found it extremely enlightening, sobering, and supportive of very very careful and broadly inclusive development in transgenics. Hand delivered my copy to the top scientist at work and have e-mailed friends and associates to get “Intervention” and read. This is a highly important pro-science science book that asks right-questions and explains much that needs explaining and proposes a far safer course for continuing development of manipulated creations. More than five stars!
Rating: 5 / 5
I was a member of Hoedad’s Coop in Eugene Oregon planting trees in the 1970’s…your video reminds me…same as it ever was! We had about 30% women on crews and about 10 crews with 20 people each. Wonderful video; it put me in a great mood. Glad you are out there doin it.
Cindy in Alabama
Colson and Cameron do an outstanding job putting together a compilation of essays and articles from some of the top thinkers in the world on the issue of biotechnology and bioethics. Contributors include a who’s-who of lawyers and doctors from groups like the Family Research Council, The Mayo Clinic, and the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. Dr. Cameron himself is a research professor of bioethics at Chicago-Kent College of Law and the president of the Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future. He also directs the Council for Biotechnology Policy (Washington D.C), chaired by Charles W. Colson.
The twelve essays alert the reader to the ethical and legal challenges facing our generation involving embryo research, stem cell research, cloning, generic engineering, gene therapy, pharmacogenomics, cybernetics, nanotechnology, and abortion. The papers are well researched and well reasoned and provide for the reader an excellent insight into the future of this debate from a biblical foundation.
The fundamental issue raised by the book regards the direction of our nation, especially in the area of public policy. Colson notes that the government’s responsibility is not the greatest good for the greatest number (utilitarian theory), but rather the protection of the weak from the strong who would exploit them. That foundational biblical principle should be our guiding light as we enter this public debate – what kind of society do we want for the generations that follow – one that seeks to create life only to destroy it for the immediate benefit of those alive or one that seeks to protect and promote life based on its intrinsic value as a special creation of God.
Rating: 5 / 5
Inspirational..! Thanks for sharing, well done!
hey i was wondering if anyone knows if companies are still hiring rookies at this time of the year
You need The Force. Easy as it gets then.
It scared us. Easier to work in a group of four planters of the same speed, to follow each other, rather than trying to find trees in the grass.
An important and interesting book. Important because of the timing as millions of acres of new food crops could conceivably alter the genetic legacy of the biosphere. In considering conceivably irrevocable processes its best to think early and big about unknowns. Interesting because its style combines fascination for ideas with skepticism and sometimes-unmet expectations of intellectual rigor and integrity among the “players”. Out beyond the rhetoric of “right” versus “wrong”, there is cool deep truth to be seeking, honest work to do, and good clean scientific and intellectual fun to be had. This book’s clear eyes live there to inspire and apply far beyond the specific topic.
Rating: 5 / 5
This is old technology, all you really had to do is spray the oil slick with Baad Bugs Super Concentrate and with in 1 day all the oil would be gone and converted into CO2 and H2O
This was taken in quite a few locations in BC and Alberta over the May to July period in 2008.
The music used in most of my planting videos may now be downloaded (for about a dollar per song) from iTunes, AmazonMP3, Rhapsody, Napster, and Shockhound. Just do a search on Mike Allison, and look for songs on the “Tilting At Windmills” album. This particular track (”At Least One Song”) isn’t online yet, but the songs for every other year’s video are online now.
wow… was that Robin I saw. LoL crazy seeing past planter I know in random planting videos. Were was this taken
Great video again
It seems that everyone agrees biotechnology will have a profound effect on our species’ future; where they disagree is how much of a good thing this is. “Liberation Biology” is written by Ronald Bailey, who takes an essentially Transhumanist position on this; that the options given to us by biotechnology will give us longer, happier, healthier lives.
Bailey is a writer for Reason magazine and a libertarian, so it’s choice and freedom that drives his moral arguments. I have a hard time disagreeing with him when it comes to the blatantly paternalistic arguments that he deals with from biotechnology critics like Fukuyama and McKibben. (McKibben’s arguments that genetic selection will turn kids into products and not people are particularly awful, although this may be in how Bailey presents them I suppose). The critics can romanticize suffering, death, and ignorance all they want, but I’d rather improve my chances of choosing where and how I die.
Bailey has more trouble in other areas – although he very effectively deals with concerns over GM food safety, as a libertarian he’s far too inclined to believe that corporations won’t misbehave when they get a good deal of control (as in the case of biotech crops – they’ve obviously helped, but farmers being dependent on one or two companies for their food supply unsettles me).
The book’s biggest issue is the format, however. This is adapted from web essays, and it shows – the topics are disjointed, and the chapters are an odd mess of a tour of current technology and batches of moral arguments. This makes it a slow read; one topic bounces to another, and while it’s true that moral issues are often dependent on specific technology, taking a more planned approach would have read to a better and more readable book – a broad argument instead of a bunch of discussions of individual topics.
Still, it’s often informative, and although due to the fast pace of technology a couple of sections (most notably the stem cell chapter) are somewhat out of date, this will give you a good grounding in a lot of the current science and moral arguments surrounding biotechnology.
Rating: 3 / 5
“Liberation Biology” (LB) reminds me of blogger Glenn Reynolds’s futurist tract, “An Army of Davids,” in that both cover similar material from a soft libertarian viewpoint. While I found both books pretty pedestrian, I think LB should have sold at least as well as Reynolds’s book because Bailey and Reynolds have attracted comparably sized followings on the Web. Instead LB fell dead-born from the press and into obscurity.
I suspect the Prometheus curse accounts for Bailey’s relative failure. Prometheus Books often publishes some very good stuff, especially its critiques of religious and paranormal beliefs. But I notice that its titles usually don’t do that well commercially, much less appear in paperback editions a year or two later. Sam Harris, author of two surprisingly best selling attacks on religious belief, apparently noticed this problem, so he avoided Prometheus when he went shopping for mainstream publishers of his books that unexpectedly made him a pile of money and turned him into the public face of atheism in the U.S.
LB also seems a bit like a cut-and-paste job from Bailey’s writings on Reason magazine’s Website and other online venues. I get the impression that Reynolds put together his book in a similar fashion. I don’t have a problem with writing a book that way, as such. But if you’ve read Bailey’s works online for a few years, the contents of his book will look recycled to you.
The title, “Liberation Biology,” also feels “wrong” coming from a small-l libertarian like Bailey. In the Preface on page 12, Bailey rationalizes his choice of title by writing:
“In the twentieth century, liberation theology was a spiritual movement aimed at helping humanity to overcome political and economic oppression. In the twenty-first century, liberation biology is the earthly quest to overcome the physical and mental limitations imposed on us by nature, enabling us to flourish as never before.”
Even though liberation theology has a strong MARXIST component and Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI have held it in suspicion for that very reason? I would expect a leftist transhumanist like James Hughes to draw an analogy to a Catholic-Marxist syncretism for rhetorical purposes; but not a free-market advocate like Bailey. (In fairness, however, Hughes’s effort at transhumanist outreach, “Citizen Cyborg,” has hardly taken the publishing world by storm, either.)
Beside, we already have a name other than “liberation biology” for “the earthly quest to overcome the physical and mental limitations imposed on us by nature, enabling us to flourish as never before.” We call this “earthly quest” transhumanism, which Bailey mentions in three places early on in LB, but he seems strangely reluctant to use it to describe his fundamentally similar world view.
Bailey does a workmanlike job of arguing for the currently socially acceptable goals of transhumanist thinking, but only that. His writing lacks the energy and moral fervor I’d like to see in making the case for these exceedingly powerful ideas. LB should have sold at least as well as comparable books about the scientific transformation of the human condition, but Prometheus Books’ kiss of death probably doomed it from the start.
Rating: 3 / 5
It already is! We just need to get everyone fluent in how it can be done. No 4 year degrees needed!
Bioremediation is going to be so important.
I started planting trees in 87 for brink. on Andy and Dev’ crew did’nt even speak english then but I have such good memories of that time, I think it’s Andy on the quad…wish I would’ve kept in touch with the crew.
Ronald Bailey presents both a sensible investigation into human enhancement technologies and an inviting discourse that is better written and more thoroughly researched than most books on the same topic. Bailey does not skirt issues and does not cut and paste information. If you want knowledge that is pertinent and from a voice of logic – read this book!
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a clear and vigorous statement of the libertarian position on biotechnology. Bailey argues for “liberation biology” as “the earthly quest to overcome the physical and mental limitations imposed on us by nature, enabling us to flourish as never before.”
Bailey insists that the technological manipulation of nature to satisfy human desires has been part of human life at least since the development of civilization based on agriculture. Using biotechnology to enhance human nature–to promote our physical and mental health and to extend our life span–is a continuation of this ancient human effort to conquer nature by articial means.
Although he recognizes the need for some legal regulation to secure the safety and efficacy of biotech products and to protect against force and fraud, Bailey prefers to leave adults free to decide for themselves (and their children) whether to employ biotechnology to enhance life. People will make mistakes. But they will learn by trial and error what uses of biotech are desirable and what not. Some people will decide to avoid such biotech advancements–following in the tradition of the Amish and other groups that choose to restrict their reliance on technology.
In arguing for this libertarian position, Bailey attacks both the bioconservatives (such as Francis Fukuyama and Leon Kass) and the Leftist bioluddites (such as Jeremy Rifkin and Bill McKibben).
I find Bailey’s reasoning generally persuasive, although I think that at some points he exaggerates the power of biotech for changing human nature. He appeals to the natural human desires as the moral motivation for biotech–for example, the natural desire of parents to care for the health and happiness of their children. It’s hard for me to see how biotech is going to alter, or even abolish, those desires. (I have elaborated this point in my book DARWINIAN CONSERVATISM.)
Bailey has a clear argument that is forcefully presented. He has made a great contribution to the continuing debate over biotechnology and the future of human nature.
Rating: 5 / 5
this bioremediation that we are doing is with Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission of DENR and not with Gina Lopez. Thanks
This project was headed by Mrs. Gina Lopez I’m so proud of her. I’ve seen her dedication to make this possible. I hope other barangay will also make a way to make ilog Pasig like before. You can also help to this project by texting GIVE(space)ILOG then send it to 2366. either your globe, smart or sun cellular subscriber. thanks.
hours
carzy looking.. so what’s total treatment timeframe?? Hours or days?
Too many bubbles? Is that from bioremidiation?
use full for students
Insightful, informative and timely assessment of one of the most important issues of our time.
Rating: 5 / 5
I’ve seen this when I pass Unilever.
Includes lots of informtion that I either didn’t know or hadn’t considered. Informative, conversation-starting & new-age information!
Rating: 5 / 5
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
This product actually eats the oil, and is environmentally safe its not just a cover up, and it doesn’t just move the problem like soaking oil in a rag, and throwing it in a landfill, or washing it down the street and into the ground with a pressure washer.
I’m so proud of all of you!!! You look so cute in your yellow tees.
This is great guys. Are you undergrad students?
Andrew Bosworth exposes the insanity of the over-medicated, genetically-modified, hyper-sexualized, country in which we live. So insane, it seems, that we don’t even notice… we’ve been in the rabbit hole all along.
Think government regulation of food and drugs is there to protect you and your family? Think again. Pesticides classified as known carcinogens slip through the EPA because cost saving benefits to growers outweigh the dangers to humans.
Long gone are the days of Teddy Roosevelt, pushing through legislation to protect consumers from the ways of the meat-packing industry. Advances in health and science in the hands of drug companies and agro-business are only making us sicker.
The wall between government and the industries they regulate is a complete facade and we are paying with our health.
Far from being preachy, Bosworth merely lays out the facts – albeit, in gasp-inducing morsels of evidence. I found myself following my husband around the house reading aloud in exasperation at the amount of information that goes completely unreported in the corporate “mainstream” media on the topic.
To name a few:
- Fox News actually fired a reporter for refusing to falsify her thorough and accurate report linking Bovine Growth Hormone in dairy products and illness. (on a side note, the court actually reversed her $425K award for wrongful termination – the judge said that Fox’s forcing her to lie in a news report was not actually illegal. How’s that for government complicity??)
- Big Pharma spends 2-3 times as much on marketing and executive salaries than they do on R&D. (Why develop drugs for a variety of different symptoms, when you can just convince customers that they all have the same ailment?)
- One of the 100 legally binding orders the American government foisted on the Iraqi people? The Iraqi farmers must buy terminator seeds (seeds that cannot be replanted) from American agro-businesses like Monsanto and cannot compete with their own seed – seed they’ve been maintaining for a thousands of years.
Those who listen to “Democracy Now” and other independent media sources can quickly distinguish between real journalism and the press-releases that pass for news in the “mainstream” media. It’s books like Biotech Empire that help the truth get through the noise. I’d definitely recommend reading it, and spreading the word.
Rating: 5 / 5
tyr5
Dr. Pappas, with many years of experience in the biotechnology industry and as a biotechnology consultant, has compiled a unique glossary aimed at the biotechnology entrepreneur. It is unique in that it bridges the fields of science, business, law and marketing- all essential for the operation of a successful biotechnology business. The eight appendices that include acronyms, biotech recruiters and venture capitalists interested in biotechnology provide much useful information that is not readily available elsewhere. Dr. Pappas did all the legwork to provide a single reference source with a wealth of information. I am sure the biotechnology entrepreneur will find it useful and refer to it often.
Rating: 4 / 5
cool video
This is a well-researched and written guide for anyone interested in a VC career. It is primarily targeted at MBAs exploring their options after business school and puts a career in VC in context with the typical MBA alternatives – investment banking and management consulting. Even though as a mid-career executive I am not within that target group, I found this a compelling reading with helpful tips on how to get one of those elusive entry level VC positions through networking and aggressive self-marketing. I ordered this book directly from wetfeet.com and I was charged a whopping $15 for surface delivery.
Rating: 5 / 5
How new is the septic tank? I would love to see if the fish could live in a 15 year old system! Also, how much for the complete system installed? Thanks
well, those seed trees don’t seem to be producing any seeds- it would have been better to do a partial thinning, IMHO.I consider the argument that huge holes in the forest are needed for wildlife to be false- careful partial cutting will also generate some early succession trees and wildlife.
Both look like seed tree cuts on the video.
Just to show how the import brand trucks lack what american tracks have and what they will always have
RAW POWER & TORQUE
Actually, the company I work/ed for has all Tundra’s now. They are really nice in the bush, good smooth ride, reliable. But the new model Tundras (the one pulling out the Red) Are crap compared to the older ones. Bigger frontend (less visibility) Plastic cheap looking dash, uncomfortable seating, etc. The company DID use fords for years though, and I do agree, they are about the best you can get!
Several years ago when I read an advertisement on a digital camera, I came across the word “megapixels”. “What does that mean to the camera?” I wondered. Now that digital cameras are very popular, I can say that most people understand the meaning “megapixel” as it refers to digital camera — 1 million pixel resolution but rating counts the sensors on the CCD, not the pixels in the resulting image (remember that is important.) Biotech is a highly geared up technology nowadays. There are so many words or terms you might not have heard just one year ago. “The Biotech Entrepreneur’s Glossary” (2nd Edition) is a book coming at the right time for entrepreneurs to have a better understanding and to get a perspective on business in biotechnology area.
I have biomedical engineering background (Ph. D.). When getting in this area, I was really confused by some words and terms. An example is “differentiation”. In electronics a “differentiator” is a circuit in which the output voltage is in proportion to the rate of change of the input voltage. But “differentiation” in the Biotech Glossary defines it as the process of cell and tissue specialization involving differential gene expression. In addition, some words and terms are hard to find definitions in other dictionaries. For example, “emulsification” which I could not found in “Merriam-Webster” dictionary, is defined in the Biotech Glossary as the “solubilization” of liquids or oil into very small volumes of water.” These are very helpful to an engineer focusing in biotech.
At the end of the book there are eight appendices for the most website links and information of biotech recruiters, venture capital firms, and government offices.
Those are very useful resources for business startup and financing.
Overall, the definitions of words and terms from contemporary biotechnology point of view and the appendices regarding venture capitalists and recruiters make this book very unique and essential to be a book on your desk.
Rating: 5 / 5
By Turd, are you refering to the boys driving?
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
I’m hoping someone can help. I’m looking for a good book regarding cutting-edge genetic and biotechnology research. I’m primarily interested in a ‘big picture’ view of what’s to come over the next 1-2 decades, especially from an investment perspective. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated!
rrurban1@aol.com Rob Urban
Rating: 3 / 5
This book is invaluable to people like me who
are (a) entering the world of biotech from
a different discipline (b) somewhat challenged
when it comes to spelling and typing, and
remembering all the different TLA’s. I also
think the book will find wide acceptance in
technical libraries around the world, in
countries where English is not the native
language. Unlike many such glossaries, this
one is compact enough to fit in your briefcase.
Rating: 5 / 5
U need a Ford my man! Those two turds just make it worse! Next time give me a call I’ll swing by!! nice vid..
Every budding entrepreneur should know and implement strategies and concepts found in this book. As a second opinion on the same brand of practical advice found in my own book, “The Expert’s Edge,” this book offers a terrific launching pad. Get it, read it, study it… do it!
Rating: 3 / 5
Richard Oliver has done an exceptional job of framing the potential of the biotech era in a compelling thought provoking fashion.
The fumdamental change agent characteristics of the biotech age will present unrivaled opportunities for those who have the vision to see it – this book goes a long way in lighting the path.
Rating: 5 / 5
Most of the reviews are written by this guy’s friends. I read the book…if you can tolerate the first 3 pages, then by it. It is free to skim through the pages you know.
This author’s style of writing is not even fit for a high school level. The book lacks real direction, substance, and I want my money back.
Rating: 1 / 5
The Biotech Entrepreneur’s Glossary is a very good book for people from different backgrounds. It includes a lot of information needed for biotech entrepreneur such as terms and abbreviations in biotech, business, fund acquisition, law and patents, etc. Readers can get a lot of information related to biotechnology from this single book without searching around for terms in many different glossaries. This book also has eight appendices including the most important and basic biology terms, biotechnology recruiters and their phone numbers, and even some large venture capital companies and contact information. All these make this book a great tool for biotechnologists and business persons!
Rating: 5 / 5
This is a thorough, well-researched guide to the future of biotech as much as the present. Much of what was predicted in this book (at the beginning of 2000–when Internet fever was at its height) is already coming true. Biotech is indeed replacing information technology as an engine of growth and the cycle is just getting started. This is not an investment guide, but it shows why everyone should have part of their portfolio in this sector. More importantly, it shows that we will reach a point in the future where biotech developments will impact not only our health, but also the state of world hunger, the way we manufacture products, and the way we clean up pollution. If you’re interested in biotech from a business angle, rather than a scientific one, this is a great source.
Rating: 5 / 5
The Biotech Entrepreneur’ s Glossary is a truly useful book for entrepreneurs and others dealing in biotech. It includes a lot of useful terms in multiple subjects relating to biotech business and operations. As an engineer, I find the biochemistry terms and list of acronyms to be especially helpful.
Rating: 5 / 5
As an economist and someone interested in the technology market this book provides a great foundation in understanding biotech and the potential impact for this new industry. A must read for anyone interested in the future.
Rating: 5 / 5
As the genius Kevin Kelly wrote “10 New Rules” for the Network Economy, this book takes the next step on Kelly with 3 principles: 1) Bio-knowledge will explode 2) Micro-innovations impact om macro-scale 3) Quantum leaps in economic opportunities
Very interesting is the race for Nano-technology: Maybe Intel and Microsoft have to speed in hiring chemical engineers, before companies like Monsanto, Amgen, Roche and Pfizer will take over the dot.com-economy. E-commerce goes G(en)-commerce.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is a great overview for someone just beginning to think about starting a business venture, but it seemed to be more focused towards the needs of a large venture, rather than a small business. It covered a lot that I thought would not be applicable to the type of business I want to start — a small town retail shop where I plan to run the business myself and will not hire executives or get funding from investors (other than probably a local bank or the SBA). Perhaps this just shows my ignorance of what owning a small business is about, though!
I also have to express my disagreement with his comments regarding attorneys. (Disclosure: I am currently an associate at a big law firm.) It sounds like he happened to get some bad attorneys. For what it’s worth, my thoughts, based on my own observations of attorneys at large and small firms (my own firms and opposing firms), are this: (1) I don’t think his experiences reflect the services provided by all large law firms — I think the quality of services you get depends on whether you hire a good INDIVIDUAL attorney, not law firm, (2) you are much more likely to have someone “learn on your dime” at a small firm than a large one simply because attorneys at large firms do a lot more business and specialize in certain areas and therefore become more experienced with matters that arise in those areas, (3) most small firm attorneys will NOT be as great as the ones he found, and (4) most partners are so distracted by bringing in business and a million other things that associates are much more likely to focus on your deal, keep things moving quickly, and actually pay attention to the details. I think the ideal arrangement for a small business owner is to find a good associate who has a good partner to ask for guidance on big issues when needed. I just don’t think it’s fair to generalize that all big firm attorneys are terrible and negligent with small clients, or that associates are all clueless and learning on your dime. (I can provide proof in the form of reviews from my large and small business clients!) That all being said, there are some fantastic attorneys at small shops and if you find one, you will pay much less for their services. My best advice on finding a good attorney (whether at a large firm or a small firm) is to get referrals from other business owners.
Rating: 4 / 5
I really enjoyed this little gem of a book. It offers ten simple lessons and is easy to read. I thought that the author’s advice is practical, which appears to be one of the benefits of this book versus so many others.
Rating: 5 / 5
I came.
Wierd Chick indeed!!
In one vivid parable–the “Story of Stone Soup”–Dr. Gold reveals what is at the heart of the entrepreneurial process. In nine additional chapters, he clearly demonstrates how, step-by-step, the reader can start his or her own business venture. Dr. Gold’s lucid writing style and easy layout help to remove the veil of mystery surrounding the start-up process while imparting to the reader a feeling of, “Hey, I really can do this!”
Rating: 5 / 5
Amazing Game! i cant stop playing it, still! i test loads of games b4 they come out by signing up to “BetaTestGamers” – check them out on google u only need 2 do a short review and u can keep the game
lol this song is epic, I planted this past summer and alot of the tips are solid, “High ballas dont go back for the last 2 they dropped” , words of wisdom
The right kind of information, huh? You mean like the earth is flat? Or man didn’t evolve but was created? I was infotained alright, I couldn’t stop laughing your sophistry is so patheticly transparent .
I am a treeplanter, planted over 98,000 in my career so far, and I freaking love this video. Get out there and plant some trees folks
A so ya move….ur forever bussin shots off wit that lazza!!!
lmao…this was a good view
The great goat is the patrion saint of all planters…..
saves you from bears, washed out bridges, cougars and such…. also a good source of mushrooms….
its very lucky to have a pet goat in the camp…….
This song has made my summer training ten times easier, thanks yo, this video is hype to death. ps you guys got a instr or acapella i can play with on the tables.
Thanks
basically, alchemy is breaking something down and rebuilding it as somethign else, in this case breaking down a plant into medicine (eg. tincturing) technically you would not need a religion, but this is technically a religious study, stop using religion as a source for conflict, it is peaceful
YES YES YES.
they are the fake sufis.they have no religion.what is universal religion? u father and son made it? r u muslim? chistian? buddah? u made new religion? who gave u the right? are both of u prophet? fake person both father and son
Straight up legit! That video made my whole treeplanting life worthwhile, and well quantifiable. I want to know the story behind the goat too though, I had to rewind three times to be sure I wasn’t hallucinating! Epic guys, wicked job, hope there are more to come in the future!
it’s true about this I use it everytime I clean up a spill for Conoco Phillips in Goldsmith Texas I Remediate all there spills there is money to be made if you like the hard work and paperwork and all the Railraod commission regulations and sampling it’s cool…
The spagnum may well absorb, but what cause the bacteria to be able to live in this toxic environment. Without water to allow the bacteria seperation from the toxic oil the bacteria will merely die.
deviant so called sufis
Impressive stuff, thank you for sharing this with us.
this is as bad ass as it gets.
Wonderful to see you and listen.
ok to transmit
same zies
I have read a recent article about nanochips and rat dna. this was back in 2005 that scientist had the nano chip but no way to power it, when adding rat dna the chip came to life so to speak,,,it draws its energy from dna, no batteries or chargers needed. we are their powers. Yes these are in chemtrails, yes they are in our skin, if you have morgellons you will know what i am talking about and everyone else…grow up and open your eyes.
WorshipinTruth. I don’t see a problem here.
Left Hand Path (inc. Luciferianism) is the expansion of the idea of self to include ALL, excluding nothing. Right Hand Path is the self-naughting which says Self/God is ALL, I am nothing. The realization of enlightenment in both cases is the same.
With regard to self it very much depends where you situate the same in the spectrum of consciousness. Obviously my body-self is not ALL.
Ramana Maharshi asks “Who am I?” and the answere is……
you obviously do not have Morgellons/nano911….yet. when you are a sufferer you will believe and see with your own eyes
You realize that hermeticism is basically luciferianism in its purest form.
Alo ha,
I found one of those, and probably have a lot more. They come with morgelons, straight from chemtrails. See my videos, especially #3.
mrgalleria
i think ive become dangerously addicted to this video. i cant go a day without watching it at least once.
I know hah
You guys are the best. I’m in the military, but you guys are the real heros. Im going to start donating today.
Nanobot? Seed or organic/machine larvae migrans?
You guys are incredible!! makes me wish I was tree planting again…. and that I was good at … so I could sing “I’m a Top dollar baller!”
This is all very nice but SO last millenium. We have to deal with the dangers of the New Order There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for any use of warfare against anyone unless it is in REAL self defence. But hey carry on chanting whilst the cluster bombs are dropping. Where did all that Sufi stuff from the last few decades in the West take us on a collective level to deal with the real problems on the planet? Even Yoga & meditation have become corporate with huge fees!! no cash – no nothing 4 U
Sooo ballin’
These Sufi Masters are precious pearls in this creation.I bow my head in gratitude.
your username is queer.
Yeah I seen the video where she moves the object around under the scope. The glow is simply the light from the scope reflecting. Its very obvious in the video where she moves the thing around.
sinkambala, what are you doing to promote the cause besides critiquing what others are trying to do?
“Aren’t there plenty of anti aging emblems out there?”
No there are not. Or can you show me just one well known emblem which expresses the threat of aging? Maybe you should watch the video again. I was not referring to some cosmetics commercial, but one of the serious side!
“Those will do much more to promote life extension than another emblem!”
Sorry but again, no. Such Videos will only be watched by people who already think that aging is bad instead of making new people aware of the threat!
Extremely pleased with this track Boys , props from an Albertan balla
How lovely to see Pir Zia, and you have done a beautiful job of showing the Abode.
Interesting, at 2:31, blue glow from electron ionization?
Very interesting, thank you for sharing.
That being said, however, there’s nothing delusional about an object imbedded in the skin, however it’s possible that someone believing their skin to be infested could by scratching with foreign objects imbed a piece of a foreign object (or several) in the process of uncontrolled scratching and itching. Looks crystalline in nature due to hex shape. The then profile would exclude many minerals.. My guess is a shard of mirror or glass which split laterally the serpent would be scratched coating.
Hey isn’t that the stuff they put on top of the pyramids? It shines very good in the light. Especially Sun light.
aren’t there plenty of anti aging emblems out there? what is one extra emblem going to do?
how about making more videos that promote research on aging or ones that explains the current research to a general audience? those will do much more to promote life extension than another emblem! sorry.
hold on…
is that a goat?
Who the hell has a goat in camp? as a pet? I wanna get to the bottom of this. I need to know.
Quoting Wikipedia here: ” Most doctors,[2] including dermatologists[3] and psychiatrists,[4] regard Morgellons as a manifestation of known medical conditions, including delusional parasitosis,[5][6][7] although some health professionals believe that Morgellons disease is a specific condition likely to be confirmed by future research.”
bridgitte, sherral, ect…
you fool!, The layers from a Mirror are much more thicker than that!, and mirrors dont have freaken fibers when you split them!
aren’t there plenty of anti aging emblems out there? what is one extra emblem going to do?
how about making more videos that promote research on aging or ones that explains the current research to a general audience? those will do much more to promote life extension than another emblem! sorry.
The crystalline structure seen in this video is a hexagonal shape…
A hexagon is a six-sided polygon.
randy wicker made the video and posted it on veoh, i just uploaded it on to youtube.
what are pigeons?
I agree it looks like mica. especially the shape and thinness of it. i don’t know though. looks a little too metallic and reflective to be mica., but it does resemble it.
looks like a chip of mica…known to penetrate and iritate flesh due to sharp edges
Not glowing – just reflecting the light like a small mirror as you moved it about. This is just a few tiny crystqals of Mica, as added to many cosmetics these days to give a shiny, glitter effect. The shape is typical and unmistakable.
And they all grow to “higher heights”! That was an impressive high note.
Hi Telthcelt
The writeup clearly says that Nualgi causes a bloom of Diatom Algae.
Diatom Algae release oxygen.
best regards
Bhaskar
so true
good luck advancing the Transhumanist movement in Germany, you’d think it’ll be even more popular in Germany cause there is a higher percentage of non religious people over there.
how would you plant a straight line without a laser?
something wrong with my foot have scar and dont remember hurting self and now very ichty
Nice! Makes me want to go planting again.
stupid
This really addresses my point of view.
Actually I’m running a YouTube “contest” for an Anti-Aging emblem which should help to change attitudes. Maybe you wanna join and give it a try?
This all a bit vague. What is really going on here? Is NUALGI just an oxygen-rich chemical to help lower the BIological Oxygen Demand of the lake by allowing aerobes to decompose?
If so why are we getting oxygen being released?
Are the bubbles perhaps not carbon dioxide produced from the enhanced biological action? That would be more likely. If the NA is just breaking up the compacted anaerobic layer on the bottom then the bubbles might be methane, and would bring up some odour I would guess!
It seems that Schloendorn is really a complicated thing *g* you should add the missing “L”!
Hmm I really like the video but why did you uploaded it as a Response to Kevins Challenge?
And to directly adress the video, it’s true that there is not much progress in Germany, but I’m starting a few things to set off the avalanche and change this
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
if its not some old cd. than is a micro ufo. but whit some parts mising. i dont kniw what hapend whit that obeckt but it should of been round. if u want consider it ufo.
ufo are real peoples should not joke about it i promiss they know where we are …they will appear verry silence . day by day it happen to me last 5 month pass .
Thanks for posting a video.
Nano Machine or something from another planet.
Greema
Thanks for posting a video.
its a flake of a rock called mika
..uhhh….dude…maybe it’s just a piece from a mirror
@Chabiens777 how is this glitter its, cause obviously its not.
Ive seen something like this on “Strange skies strange days” website.
Oh,and their not mirrors.
A tiny mirror. What a waste of time
Thank you so much my friend,this site is AWESOME!
How could this be glitter? Does glitter have a hexagon shape?
check out
streange sky strange days
web site
Dr. Palombi’s work is a comprehensive examination of the law surrounding the complex social and scientific issue of gene patents. He delves into not only the current practice, and its legal and policy justifications, but the entire history of the law surrounding patents on life-forms and natural products. He tears apart the practice, based on his detailed legal analysis, showing that it is not only illogical, but unlawful. In particular, he decimates the myth that cDNA is somehow something “new” or “inventive,” and illustrates how the existing case law cannot seriously support the patenting of supposedly “isolated and purified” genes. His legal arguments ought to support current efforts to overturn the practice, either through legislative action, or through lawsuits like that recently brought against Myriad, Inc., for its patent on the BRCA1 and 2 “breast cancer” genes. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the debate, as well as those whose lives might very well depend on the debate, including anyone with genetic predispositions to diseases, or with monogenic genetic diseases which have or may already be patented.
Rating: 5 / 5
Looks like glitter bro…sorry. Did you run an EMF meter over the object? Geiger counter? Temp reading…put it under microscope…hit it with a laser? Low Frequency Meter test? High Frequency Meter test? Is it magnetic…capable of being magnetized? Experiment with it…then let us know something.
Isn’t this simply light being reflected as the object is manipulated? I can’t tell that it starts glowing.
i opened a box of glitter and stuff like this spewed out omg!
/sarcasm off
E’ MICA!
E’ MICA!
DNA: HOW THE BIOTECH REVOLUTION IS CHANGING THE WAY WE FIGHT DISEASE comes from a biochemist and lab researcher who tells how scientists are using biotech to battle disease. While DNA could have been featured in our ‘Health’ section, it’s reviewed here for its wider importance to not only health but science libraries, as well as general public lending libraries where patrons hold an interest in science and health new advancements. It’s a primer on biotechnology for lay readers and assumes no prior scientific or health knowledge to prove quite accessible – and surprisingly lively.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Rating: 5 / 5
Microlaminates can conduct electricity, braze or weld other things, and resist heat. They are made of layers of Niobium, Aluminum, Chromium, ceramic metals, Silicon, fibers and whiskers. They grow in crystals.Sure sounds close?
It is not mica, I know my mica. The rainbow foil item and the clear gel item and the fuzz and specks are obviously part of a laminate, and could easily be manufactured even with our older technology. My spouse used to work for Alcoa, and told me about laminates. They invited me to look at their scanning electron microscope, which was a big deal back then…did not get the chance.
Now, what is it for???
They did a lot of heavy, low chemtrailing for 3 days. Right after that, my friend and I both came down with all-over muscle aches like fibromyalgia and I also found dozens of tiny, hexagonal silver things like this in my apartment.
MMS. Get some. It will rid the body of all Toxin’s and Metals. D
Arts and crafts sparkle!
Sherwin dedicates the first four chapters to retelling the legends of the Golem, namely his fond memories of his Polish grandmother’s stories. Chapter five is his transition and by chapter six he is debating genetically engineered v. organic foods. He then progresses to the issues of cloning, robotics, and out of control corporations.
The most famous Golem legend is that of Rabbi Judah Loew of 16th century Prague. He was a Kabbalahist, a mystic, who created a Golem by reciting a secret incantation using the tetragrammation of G-d’s name. (Sherwin points out that DNA sequences are also tetragrammations and legend has it that G-d brought the universe into existence with divine utterances.) The Golem is a humanoid creature, usually fashioned out of clay. The Golem is usually mute, has no soul, and is slated for destruction once his mission is accomplished. Don’t confuse the Golem with Frankenstein. The Golem is many centuries older and while it might have influenced Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein the Greco-Roman myth of Prometheus was part of the original subtitle. Rabbi Loew was not a mad scientist, he created the Golem to save his people, and the Golem was always under his control.
Sherwin takes the position that cloning is not contrary to Halacha, Torah Law. He points out that Adam was also fashioned by G-d from the clay and then given a soul. As Eve was molded from Adam’s side neither was conceived. He alludes to man’s having been given dominion over the earth and that we are to be imitators of G-d, not usurpers like those who built the Tower of Babel. Man can not technically play G-d until he creates something from nothing as opposed to taking raw material and refining, transplanting it, etc. What Sherwin does NOT broach is the Torah’s prohibition against crossbreeding species or even planting different crops together. (In fact, orthodox Jews will not wear sha’atnez, clothing that contains fibers from both plant and animal sources.) When I think about this prohibition the calamity of killer bees usually comes to mind.
There is also a bit of confusion surrounding the terminology used describe fertilized eggs or pre-embryos, technically they are zygotes. The zygote does not begin implanting until about a week after conception and is not considered an embryo until the second week. During this two week period the zygote is simply replicating clumps of cells and has no discernable human characteristics. Given that Sherwin has an obvious bias in favor of stem-cell research he should have clarified his opponents’ attempts to obfuscate the general public.
Sherwin’s tone is optimistic when describing future cyborgs, humans and machines combined, but he also offers scary fodder for science fiction writers. What I found most riveting was the chapter, “Corporate Golems.” He gives a brief history of corporations in the US and Europe. He compares corporations to the Frankenstein monster, as they have incredible rights and power and very few responsibilities and liabilities. His case in point is I.G. Farben, Nazi Germany’s conglomerate. He makes a case that without the prompting of I.G. Farben , who wanted slave labor, the Nazis would not have been able to terrorize Europe. After the war Farben was supposedly punished, by being broken up into smaller corporations, each of which today is larger than I.G. Farben. Most chillingly he points out that American corporations like Ford, IBM, Standard Oil, and DuPont continued to do business with I.G. Farben during WWII. If these were individuals they would have been prosecuted for treason. Not only does Sherwin compare this to the Frankenstein monster, but likens it to the sci-fi scenario of AI, artificial intelligence run amok. In other words humans create corporations, corporations slowly begin gaining control over society, then they become unstoppable and cases like I.G. Farben commit mass murder with impunity.
Rating: 4 / 5
wow!!!!
morgellons is real…..and its complicated
This video is a finalist in the EPA video contest!
where did you get this sample? It could be “smart dust”.
I can’t understand-why nobody protest about chemtrails?????????????
Theresa Have you tried MMS for your Morgellon’s? D
You are right,this is not nano technology but I don´t agree with you in saying that Morgellons( same word different phatology) is a parasite pathology.Google Dr Hildegard Staninger.
So, do you live with this like I do? Just how “natural” are your parasites because I have always thought from the first day I noticed my disease that it was apparent they were not “totally natural”. Look up nanobio interfaces and learn how they can “create” critters that are both organic and inorganic at the same time.
Your friend is sick, it might be an allergy to the metal in that object. Get the object tested right away. She might walk away well.
She might have metal or toxic poisoning. Just my point of view. If you want to live, you have to fight for your life.
No glowing: reflection. Btw, we’re far from nano scale since this thing is bigger than the needle point!
Also, morgellons seem to be parasites that are totally natural… why invoke nanotech?
???????????
???????????????What a load of crap.
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We love Fred…At first I thought it was Robert Plant but then I recognized him…Yep that’s Fred.
im not trying to hate it but i think people who think ufo is VERY real should cool down and take a break.well i also watch ufo vids posted by others but i dont try and being serious about it.
Eco-friendly funniness rocks.
NO WONDER BEES ARE DISAPEARING.
Forget what I said about the hair… these are mica crystals partially embedded in the skin (simple pressure on edge would make them stick). Mica falls apart in hexagonal leaflets just as it did after handling with the needle.
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
?????????????
???????????????Thats for waisting
??????????????????my time.
?????????????????
?????????????????
??????????????
Please learn about glitter.
Did you know that glitter is manufactured in layers? Exactly as I see here.
This is no mystery object.
I agree with silver5a, this is mica.
Glitter is made with MICA.
Glitter is all over our environment.
Please have someone confirm that for you.
I suffer this disease and we must be “sane” if we want real medical help.
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
That’s a reflection not a glow…
Sorry about that. I just looked up “morgellons” on wikipedia, and now I have to add it to the long list of words that require me to stop listening to you when you use them in anything but an ironic sense.
You should take it to a lab and get it analyze. Get some facts. Then go from now.
This book will not give you the information you are looking for in terms of workplace culture, hiring info, etc. All it does is provide background information on how the company was started, some of the drugs each company sells, and recent news events regarding each company. The “hiring” section just provides a website where you can go to apply for jobs which you can easily find on your own from ANY pharmaceutical company’s career page.
In summary this book is just a collection of all the major pharmaceutical companies out there with a quick bio on the company, how it was founded, what some of there major drugs are, and recent news events regarding each company. I am dissapointed because the description makes it seem like you are going to get insider info on what its like to work for each company, how to get hired, etc…. but it does not provide any of that. Save your money. You can easily get all of this information by googling a pharmaceutical companies name and reading what they have online about each company.
A total waste of money.
Rating: 1 / 5
I love ya fred!
It was a baby chemtrail! When they grow up they get dumped out of planes and DESTROY US ALL, DESTROY US ALL, DESTROY US ALL, DESTROY US ALL!
# Silicon maple seeds
* Using a honeycombed layer of silicon only 0.1 mm thick we have made a 3×10 mm winglet. With a cubic millimeter of silicon attached, these wings auto-rotate as they fall, just like a maple seed. The next generation will have solar cells built right in.
The glow is called a reflection from a light being omitted onto it. You can see the light comes from the northern direction atop the video.
do some research
google “smart dust” and click IMAGES.
this stuff comes OUT of our SKIN and it HURTS when it comes out.
laugh all you want .
I have found similar stuff near a Air Force base . It also comes in larger chunks . I was told is was residue from chaff . To me this looks like light reflecting off of it .
Yes, I think I will have to agree with silver5a. Moregellon’s or not, this is not a human secretion. The “spring” we see is probably a hair (stuck with sweat). I will watch the last one too but I don’t think mica is unreasonable at all. Perhaps if you tried pulling it with tweezers instead of poking it with a needle it would be easier to tell what it was? Here, we have to assume it is not directly attached to skin.
I think it is a pair of scissors or tweezers that keeps moving the crystal.
Have heard great things about this product!!!
You’re such an amateur. Looks like MICA look it up. If you’re realy worried take to a geolgist who has better tools. Sheesh
Great intructional video on this chemical!
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
Everyone needs to know about “Permaculture University Costa Rica” because this course is amazing! It’s located at “Osa Mountain Village” which is one of the most beautiful places on earth and a sight to you must see in your lifetime. Take my word for it, get there as fast as you can and you will LOVE every minute of it.
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
cool
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
la classe!! Bon courage pour la suite
Antoine
No cleanup is required. Just pour in and the product constantly catches and biodegrades any oil or fuel that leaks. One quart of Oil Gone Easy S-200 usually lasts approximately 3 months for a boat of up to 25′ in length.
what do you do with it after it cleaned the bilge? do you need to rince?
And this is only your second video!?!?! Im really getting scared now……not for or of you, mind…. But for the up and coming and current directors out in the world…. They should really be aware that a force like the one within you would simply RUIN THEIR CAREERS!!! lolol
This is absolutely gorgeous beyond any words I could try to muster right now.
*JOY* <<—- mos def
xoxox
I was going to make a funny intro clip, but it was cold and rainy outside and I was sick
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
XD all i heard was bacteria and then blah blah blah O.o and then i was like ya…
That dehalo-whatever bacteria is ridiculous… Took forever to say it at least close to right
Oye les quedo chido el video, todavía sigo buscando el del equipo de Arcadio…
you may have commented first but i rated
;3 i win
there was no use for that arrow :]
<---- I'm that friend :D
Good job more effort then i would have put in to it ^ ^ and nice use of big words O.o u'll get an A :3
haha. i luv the end. its so great.
Exelente !
if Charles Darwin had lived today he would have had a field day.
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world
ACTs? revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world.
Kameraman.. cah santan, yang serius dong… ;-p
Little by little, we will find a way to combat cancer.
mushrooms the key to the universe!!
dasar Cahsantan narsis!
Amazing speech.
mind blowing info!!
cool…. ^^,
well, could you tell me how i could my hands on the actual paper itself? XD
thnx for the post ^.^
ACTs revolutionary line of products contains microorganisms that penetrate and break down harmful pollutants. Be aware of imitators that just cover the stain and do not remediate the pollutants. ACT bioremediation products® guarantee quality and real results. We have been serving commercial, industrial and residential properties since 1996. Our goal is to change the way the world cleans by providing green products to our customers and helping them become a greener force in our world
Thanks again 2012 you never cease to amaze!
If Al Gore can win a Noble Prize for his propaganda film, this man should win a few dozen.
my core rise all fun gas.
Are these things dangerous to humans as they were dangerous to termites?
Highly recommended video.
This may indeed be one of those finds that may end up cleaning our atmosphere and depleted farmland.
Thank you!
Let’s hear it for psilocybin!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Blimey, he is a clever boy
iNTERESTING….. 5 STARS *****
Nowhere in the video does it mention the use of powdered microbes. I have visited this site and seen the process in action – powdered microbes are not used. The process focuses on the stimulation of the naturally occurring microbes. I would hardly say the technology is obsolete when it is being used on a large scale and effectively. Oxygen supply is important, as is understanding the nature of the contamination and how it is bound to the soil matrix. The PAH’s are within free flowing tars.
Powdered microbes – you guy are the snake oil salesman of the 21 century! The necessary microbes will be there already! Watch out – too much nitrates can cause nitrate – nitrogen contamination of the groundwater. OVER 10 PPM CAN BE FATAL TO BABIES LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD! Cutting edge? This technology is old and obsolete! IF YOU OXYGENATE THE IMPACTED SOILS AND GROUNDWATER PAHs WILL BREAK DOWN IN ABOUT 1/2 THE TIME AT A MUCH REDUCED COST!
I didn’t hear any mention of powedered microbes? The microbes undertaking the bioremediation of the PAH’s (as part of heavy tars) are naturally occurring. The fertilizers assist with stimulating the microbes. I understand this is cutting edge technology and has been applied successfully on large scale projects throughout Australasia and now the UK.
Nice video talking about bio remediation but the technology used for this project is old technology especially when mentioned of using fertilizers and powered microbes. Use our microbes, go to our website bioremediation and check out Baad Bugs our technology is advanced.
This book is a very good overview of the kingdom Fungi. With an easy vocabulary usage, the authors were able to entertain the reader with very well done chapters. Although some of the topics could have been streesed a little deeper, the book is perfect for college students enrolled in classes such as introductory mycoloy and fungal systematics.
Rating: 3 / 5
Although the first edition copy is somewhat dated, the basic morphological descriptions are still very useful. This is a good introductory mycology book, as long as you promptly read another, more up-to-date version right after reading this one.
Rating: 5 / 5
Referring to the second reviewer, I would point out that at this rate — the books priced at $250 — with the third offering I’ll have spent $750, and not so much as looked at an entree. Too rich for my blood!
Rating: 1 / 5
“Cheese Problems Solved” is not the sequel to “Who Moved My Cheese” as the previous and only other reviewer of this gem of a book mentioned. That must have been their idea of some kind of joke. In fact this is the sequel to “Bread Problems Solved” and the second book in a trilogy that will be completed in 2009 with “Pickle Problems Pondered”.
Rating: 4 / 5
Dazed and Confused!
Whenever I take my daily Biotin supplement, I think of this song.
Didn’t know they were from Poland. Don’t like them, anyway… =/
I found the the book in a very good shape. I’m very much satisfied.
Rating: 5 / 5
you didnt hear about behemoth?
Just to share my experience: Teaching myself biotechnology I had hoped to get a teaching help with this book and got quite confused after working it through. The MC questions are really misleading. It s a pity… Fortunately, I have had solid knowledge about biotech before reading.
The Series Editors should better ask leading professionals for a review before publishing.
Rating: 1 / 5
Ever since I entered graduate school, I was against buying text books, but this book was for a 500 level class (read: undergrad), so I knew I’d have to get it if I was going to pass the class. I also wanted to learn more about biotechnology and the book was moderately priced, so I got it. It was so easy to read, and understand, and sometimes I read it just because it was interesting. If you are interested in learning more about biotechnology, then this book is a great place to start!
Rating: 5 / 5
Good to know, good to know! The only Polish band I know is Vader! And they kick butts! m/
The biotechnology book arrived in just a few days and it is in very good shape. So that really helped me.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book presents a very good review and overview of biotechnology. The best feature of the book is that it’s simple to understand. Biotechnology is still a rapidly developing field, and there are not many textbooks or reference books out there. This is one of the good biotechnology books that we have.
Recommended.
Rating: 4 / 5
@WackoRhailent
Sepultura was very popular in Poland
@sickiedickie1280 It probably means u shouldn’t do crack before you enter the studio, still one of the greatest thrash anthems though
I can’t agree with the reviewer above who faulted the translation of the book into `Germlish’. There is no way that reader has to translate each sentence into `true English’ as it reads very clearly to me. However, I would agree that the text is a little dry and as such is not as accessible as it could be. I also think the book is more appropriate for undergrad students than for graduates.
Rating: 3 / 5
I have a very basic background in chemistry and biology so I was looking for a book to fill in the gaps; something short of a college textbook. I am only about 3 chapters through this but I’m disappointed in this book. The level of exposition is not too bad, but the book seems neither well written nor well edited. I’ve found typos, undefined notation, unexplained terms and just poor explanations. The figures don’t seem very good for explaining the concepts and processes (eg, cell division) that really need good diagrams. In some cases they are borrowed from other books a little carelessly.
It’s too bad — I think this is a good topic and the author generally chooses an appropriate level of detail, but it just wasn’t written carefully enough.
Rating: 2 / 5
Look at the lyrics, it’s obvoius.
As if this book was written specifically for me, it suited my needs as few books have in the past. I work in Business Development in the Pharma Industry and I enjoyed this one. I just have one comment: I wish the author had spent more time detailing other sources of information for this field. The ones he mentions are interesting but not enough I am afraid. GOOD JOB THOUGH. Worth every single penny.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is well written and good value for money. It provides a lively introduction to the red hot biotechnology for beginners. Complex concepts of cell structures and functions are clearly explained. The summary and quiz of each chapter are particularly useful. I enjoy most reading about the interesting topics of immunotherapy, stem cell, proteomics and various medical applications of biotechnology.
Rating: 4 / 5
I used this book for one of my favorite classes in college on biotechnology. It will show you the cool side of science and all of the neat things you can do with biology and DNA. The level is low enough to where you only need a minimal background to understand it, basic biology classes and preferably genetics. After completing the book you should be excited about the future of biotech, and you will have some understanding about how it works.
Rating: 5 / 5