Local News
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo stepped forward and stated that she is willing to assist the federal government in hosting Syrian refugees in Rhode Island. In the coming year, the United States intends to accept 10,000 refugees. Raimondo recently told WPRO-AM that the civil war taking place in Syria is a humanitarian crisis and Rhode Island will do its part.
National News
According to “The Guardian” Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson said that no Muslim should be president of the United States. His statement proved to contradict the U.S. Constitution and, as a result, raised tensions and outcry among civil liberties groups and rival politicians.
Nihad Awad, founder and director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, called upon Carson to withdraw from the presidential race.
“Dr. Carson’s statement directly contradicts the constitution and the values embodied in it,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, director of the Anti-Defamation League, in a statement. “In America, personal characteristics- whether race, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion- should have no bearing on a person’s ability to serve.”
Carson insists that he was stating his own honest opinion with “no regard for political correctness,” due to it being an “issue of one’s belief system.”
Global News
GREAT BRITAIN- British scientists announced Friday that they applied for permission to edit DNA in human embryos. According to NPR, these researchers placed heavy emphasis on the fact that their work would be aimed only at gaining basic understanding of human genes development. They stated that they would use the embryos left over at fertility clinics.
Scientists around the world are questioning and debating whether the use of new technology known as CRISPR-Cas9, known to make genetic changes in human eggs, sperm or embryos, is an ethical procedure. The British request “underscores the importance of the upcoming international meetings on these issues,” says creator of this technology, Jennifer Doudna, of the University of California, Berkeley.
Critics claim that diseases could result from it, as well as the issue of whether engineering the human race to create “designer babies” is ethical or not. Some scientists believe that using the technology could provide valuable insights and benefits, such as preventing or treating many diseases.