Rhode Island Policy Reporter

RIPR looks at state and federal policy issues that affect life here in the Ocean State. Each report focuses on particular policy areas of interest. Future issues will examine controversial aspects of environmental policy, health care, property tax reform, and education spending. The intention is to look at action rather than talk. We aspire to be a news source that never attends news conferences, where little of substance is ever said.

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  • Oct 04 - RIPTA and DOT, who's really in crisis?
  • Aug 04 - MTBE and well pollution, Mathematical problems with property taxes
  • May 04 - A look at food-safety issues: mad cows, genetic engineering, disappearing farmland.
  • Mar 04 - FY05 RI State Budget Critique.
  • Feb 04 - A close look at the Blue Cross of RI annual statement.
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  • Oct 03 Appendix - Methodology notes and sources for October issue
  • Apr 03 - FY04 RI State Budget critique
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Archive

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Mon, 29 Nov 2004

Computational Genomics

A friend asked what to make of an article in the National Review about amazing advances in genetics and what that means for cherished liberal ideas. The article, predictably, was all about how advances are really going to uncover important differences between races, and deterministic facts about intelligence, and therefore it has to be conducted in secrecy, lest the researchers be branded bigots. The writer told about a friend of his, a "datanaut" who was up to his neck in complex math to analyze the genome.

Well, there is a lot to say about computational genomics, but not really what the NR author had in mind. The message of modern genetics is both encouraging and discouraging, but not in the way he had it.

See more ...

23:49 - 29 Nov 2004 [/m0411] link