Shirley's Big Mistake
James Shirley, the MIT stem cell professor who opposes human cloning and ESCR because it destroys nascent human life, a "controversial theory according to this Fox News report," (but basic biology, says I), is on a hunger strike to protest being denied tenure. He is claiming racism. I doubt it. It is more likely to be his "controversial theory." The life science elites allow no heterodox views to be expressed openly about the impropriety of human cloning without career consequences.
But this hunger strike makes him look ridiculous, indeed, like something of a nut. He would be much better off wearing the martyr's shroud and exposing the increasing infringement of true academic freedom that has become part of the atmosphere of our elite universities. Hunger strikes can work--but only if you have a media favorably disposed to promoting your cause. And that sure isn't the case of someone who opposes all human cloning and believes that ESCR is unethical.
Labels: Stem Cells; Academic Freedom
posted by Wesley J. Smith @ 9:07 AM
4 Comments
4 Comments:
Someone needs to talk to that man. This is not a good thing. Not by any stretch, and he's only going to hurt our cause if he keeps this up, as well as himself. I don't want him doing himself any damage.
There's more discussion here. Noam Chomsky and Mel King have weighed in on his side (at least, calling for a review of the decision).
Dunno, if ESCR was a chief factor why wouldn't he mention it himself? It's maybe easier to believe that as a factor than racism, but the hunger strike is a good indication that he's unbalanced and probably just rubbed too many people the wrong way.
Not that MIT has a shortage of unbalanced and/or abrasive people.
Yeah, MIT breeds them or something. I don't like hunger strikes - there are better ways to get a point across.
Actually I think it's cool - the irony of it. It's obvious it was denied over stem cells, "we consulted others in his specialty outside of MIT" even though he has honors, publications, etc. But apparently he was hired, though without his knowledge, under a "minority program" which has led to a second class status for lab space etc which has almost been held hostage against him as he has been the "maverick" on stem cells.
Getting Noah Chomsky on your side - that's a masterstroke.
Read in the article that he'll be taking water, electrolytes and vitamins. Like me, it looks like he has a few pounds to lose. As long as it doesn't last too long to create protein deficiency or some such, he may gain tenure and his goal weight!!
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