Contempo Magazine Blog

Heparin is a blood thinning agent used in millions of patients world wide for many conditions. At least 81 deaths associated with the use of heparin from a plant in China which is partly owned by a US based company have now been reported. The cause of deaths appears to be a contaminant which causes sudden changes in blood pressure.  Today, executives from the FDA were under fire from a Congressional inquiry.  This is another example of  the risks of seeking to reduce health care costs by taking short cuts in the quality of production of medical pharmaceuticals. Many critics are saying that if the proper inspection procedures by the FDA on foreign medical products were instituted such calamities would not occur.

The development of biotechnology industries is important for the US economy.  One wonders why such an industry was not developed closer to home such as in the Rio Grande Valley.

Congressman Henry Cuellar of the 28th Congressional District of Texas today stated in recognition of Earth Day:”This Earth Day coincides with the recent waiving of critical environmental laws, enacted to launch a speedy construction of the border fence. Bypassing a thorough review and consideration of the fence’s impact on the environment and on our community is unacceptable. Our southern region is rife with ecological systems, and more must be done preserve them for future generations. ”

More of Mr. Cuellar’s environmental policy will be published in our print edition out in May

The essence of social order has traditionally been a belief that there is an entity overseeing all of us which rewards just behavior and punishes unjust behavior. Experiments with atheist governments like Communism showed that without this belief there is only chaos which can result. I have a good friend of many years, now a Marinol priest, who is working with the government of China to develop programs to reduce drug abuse and human trafficking.  The Chinese government apparently has realized that  the internalization of values from spiritual beliefs is superior than any vague form of humanistic nonspiritual arguments.

Religious missionary work has not been as highly regarded or supported by average Americans as it once was in the past.  Many so called humanists have favored non-religious programs which do not teach religious values that most Americans would consider their own.  On the other hand, non-Judeo-Christian religions, now fund education and religious training in all the countries of the world including much of Latin America.  It seems clear that people will  inherently seek out religious influence when there is a void.   If they are not exposed to American values inspired by our religious experience then others will occupy their values.

The wrongful policy of moral relativism advocated by some political groups will damage our future.  We should always respect differences in religion and the separation of church and state. At the same time, one cannot understand the Declaration of Independence and the framing of the Constitution without understanding the beliefs of the authors.  The recent call of the Pope for the right of Christians to be able to teach their ideas freely is important.

Most of the worlds religions teach similar principles of charity and service, one can’t help but wonder if exposure to multiple religions giving similar messages only helps to reinforce these principles.  On the other hand, lack of religious freedom creates an environment where those with selfish motives can twist religious doctrines into hate and violence where its the only message taught.