THAI COUP

The coup that happened in Thailand yesterday was rather swift and peaceful, breaking the reputation of the country that suffered bloody coups in the past.

Will the same thing happen in the Philippines? Observers say that it is unlikely since GMA is in control with the military, for the moment.

But what I do hope is that our politicians will stop bickering among themselves and start doing things relevant to the country.

BENEDETTO XVI

The lecture of Pope Benedict that he gave in Regensburg (Germany) sparked anger among Muslims all over the world. They cried foul when the Pope quoted a Byzantine emperor who labeled Islam as a religion born out of violence. But the Pope's intention of doing so is far from denigrating Islam, which I am sure he holds with high regard, but to show that religion should embrace logos or reason. His motive was never to exalt a religion at the expense of another, but to build bridges for healthy dialogue between cultures so varied yet united in their principles of human nature and dignity.

For those critics, Muslims and none-Muslims alike, and Catholics who went as far as doubting the credibility and intention of the Holy Father, I invite you to read his lecture in its entirety in order to grasp the fulness of his message that seeks to embrace all people of all cultures by lauding reason as among man's most important gift from God.

You can access his speech here.

GOT A BLOG!

Got a blog!

Finally, I got a blog!

While researching in the net for some info about the corn industry in the Philippines, I can across this picture which scientists (like me, ahemm) would really find stupid and at the same time frustrating...

Greenpeace volunteers uprooted Bt corns planted in a farm in Mindoro. The problem is that they're too overdressed for the job, possibly due to ignorance of what Bt corn is, or maybe because they want to put up a show which, in the end, they would turn out as funny.

Bt corn is a genetically modified crop that is resistant to insect pests. Scientists created this crop by integrating the gene of a certain harmless soil bacteria named Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) into the corn genome. This gene produces a toxin that specifically kills insects, but is harmless to mammals and most other creatures. Thus, contrary to claims loudly voiced out by some people who heed not the scientific facts behing Bt corn, the crop is not at all toxic for consumption.

What makes them look stupid is that the volunteers are dressed as if they were going to handle a highly infectious pathogen. Truly, they are an epitome of ignorance (sorry for the term) that miseducates the people. What makes it frustrating is that their misconducts are hampering the technology that may make the lives of millions of people better.