The New Rulers of the World

Part of my John Pilger marathon... The New Rulers of the World is themed around the impact of globalisation on the quality (if any) of life of third world workers, with specific focus on Indonesia. In essence it also touched on free trade vs fair trade, the poverty that is gripping hard on labourers and how the west in effect (consciously or not) supported the 'hidden genocide' in Suharto-era Indonesia. And how the multinational corporations are irresponsibly monopolizing the trade in the whole world etc...

Eye-opening, gives you an insight on the issues that could well directly involve us in our daily dealings. From now on, I'm so avoiding GAP, Navy Blue (not that I ever touched them) (and Nike?).

Enjoy and think, how we could help these people... a cumulative individual effort can effectively affect the whole world.

Palestine is Still the Issue

Satu lagi siri documentary sempena Hari Raya... Kan org Malaysia zmn skrg ni beraya kat panggung :p Another work by John Pilger, well-famous journalist cum activist from Australia.

Hari Raya ke3?

Alhamdulillah... this has so far been a day with a plethora of educational values... a bit less on the academic side unfortunately but an eye-opening day for the understanding of the world functioning and sadly enough, the geography of Bristol.. (adam, smap, salah driver tak reti english)... anywho, another documentary for the day... lighthearted, very relaxed, not too much encapsulating any particular academical achievements... but rather a great attempt to encapsulate and assimilate the essence and importance of the presence of islam in europe prior to the renaissance...

Chagos Archipelago?

Ever heard of the Chagos Archipelago? If your answer is yes, I too am guilty of similar ignorami-like-behaviour. Not intentional, as you will (or not) see from this video, this is a well-hidden agenda of the British and US government. This is a video full of evidence of how low some people can get, dehumanising oneself! In case you didn't get me, I'm referring to the two governments but as for the Chagosians themselves, despite such indignification and humiliation suffered, they are by far more human than some of us are (and definitely more human than the two SoB governments). Enjoy and more importantly, think, and come to your own conclusions. Mine are as above.

Controversial?

Man donates sperm for grandchild

Around 500 sperm donors are needed each year

A 72-year-old man has agreed to become a sperm donor for his own "grandchild".

The anonymous man wishes to donate his sperm to his son and daughter-in-law who have yet been unable to conceive a child through IVF.

Any baby born using the sperm would be the grandfather's genetic child and its father's half brother.

The sperm is being screened at the London Women's Clinic, where the couple, who are in their 30s and wish to remain anonymous, are being treated.

Preliminary tests suggest the sperm is viable - it is not uncommon for men to continue to produce healthy sperm into their 70s and 80s.

Dr Kamal Ahuja, co-medical director of the clinic, said they had spent many months of discussion with independent bodies and ethics committees before reaching the decision go ahead with the treatment.

Keeping the identity of the child similar to their own was a huge factor Dr Peter Bowen-Simkins

Colleague Dr Peter Bowen-Simkins said he had never come across a case like this before.

But advancements in fertility treatment meant people were now willing to consider all kinds of options.

He said: "Obviously the wife's mother-in-law also had to be included in all the conversations but she has no objections.

"Society has also changed its perceptions of what is and what is not acceptable.

"In this case, keeping the identity of the child similar to their own was a huge factor.

"The husband does not have a brother, which is why he chose his own father to assist."

No ruling necessary

A spokeswoman for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates the fertility sector, said it did not need to approve the decision.

Donations from family members - such as sisters giving each other their eggs - are allowed under the law, she said.

Once a donor has consented to the use of his sperm for fertility treatment, he has no legal or parental rights over any children born using his sperm.

Upon reaching the age of 18, the child has the right to find out the identity of their donor father.

Dr Allan Pacey, senior lecturer at the University of Sheffield and Secretary of the British Fertility Society, said the ethics did not bother him, but safety concerns did.

"At the genetic level, sperm from older men is not as good as sperm from someone in their 25s.

"There is growing data to show sperm from older men increases the risk of miscarriage and the chances of the child having disease, as well as reducing the chances of IVF working.

"Ideally, from a best practice point of view, donors should not be older than 40."



Taken from BBC News, 6th October 2007 (Happy Birthday little dude :p)


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Call me old fashion, but I think this is just sick! It is obviously not my place to pass judgment on them, but I surely entitled voice my own opinion on the matter. Surely this is just ridiculous... But the fact that this is a non-debatable issue given that the LAW ALLOWS IT in the first place, I think something is seriously wrong. Essentially, the old dude is (or should I say, will be) copulating with his own daughter-in-law!!! (Mind my language)

Surely, there's a reason why God made some of us barren. Or else he won't be the Al-Knowing. I am not saying I detest other methods of artificial insemination e.g. IVF etc, but there's a religious (and at least a moral) limit to everything. Astaghfirullah... Nauzubillah...