November 17, 2000 - A panel of bioethicists, geneticists and reproductive specialists gathered at the University of Minnesota this afternoon friday to discuss how the nation should adopt a policy on the genetic screening of embryos. Last month, doctors at the University of Minnesota transplanted stem cells from a newborn's umbilical cord into his older sister who suffered from a rare genetic disease. Since a stem cell transplant was the only way of saving the 6 year old girl, the parents genetically screened an embryo that would match their daughter. That has bioethicists worried that future parents may start "tailoring" children to their liking. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
November 20, 2000 - After years of wrangling, the University of North Dakota is preparing to decide the future of the schools Fighting Sioux nickname. The Sioux name was chosen in 1930, and is a focus of school pride. Since the 1960s people have challenged the name, some charging it is offensive to Native Americans. A commission studying the use of the Sioux nickname held its final meeting today. Next month the U-N-D president will recommend keeping or changing the nickname. The states board of higher education will make the final decision. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.
November 21, 2000 - University of Minnesota astronomy professor Rebecca Humphreys has an added incentive to study the solar system these days -- keeping track of her namesake. A former student of Humphreys named astroid number 1-oh-1-7-2 after her last week. Asteroid Humphreys is three to eight miles in diameter and orbits the sun in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. I asked her what it was like to get the news:
November 22, 2000 - MPR’s Patty Marsicano reports on the University of Minnesota's Women's Athletic Department, as it turns 25, and shares how the department has grown since its start in 1975. Marsicano interviews a variety of student athletes, as well as the women’s athletic director at U of M.
November 22, 2000 - Representatives at a climate conference at the Hague this week are trying to agree on how to cut down on pollutants that are believed to cause global warming. One of the main pollutants is carbon dioxide. The United States supports what its calls a flexible plan. In part, that means forests that absorb carbon would count toward meeting reduction targets. There has even been talk of paying farmers here in the United States to plant trees rather than crops. The European Union rejected the United States' plan yesterday. John Pastor is a biology professor and part of the University of Minnesota's Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth. He's on the line now. John Pastor is a biology professor at the University of Minnesota-Duluth
November 23, 2000 -
November 23, 2000 - St Paul native Warren Burger, the 20th-century's longest-tenured U-S Supreme Court Chief Justice once said he could not have gone to law school if it wasn't for the night classes at William Mitchell. Burger was among those who took advantage of the law school's friendly stance toward untraditional students. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports on the school's legacy as it celebrates its 100th anniversary today (Thursday).
November 24, 2000 - When you were growing up did you dream of being a fire fighter? Do "smoke eaters" conjure up romantic images of heroics while battling fires? Some people in Northwestern Minnesota are getting a chance to live the dream. In Moorhead, the local fire department has organized its first citizens fire academy. As Mainstreet Radio's Bob Reha reports, the idea is not to train folks to join the department, but to give them a better awareness of what it is the department does.
November 27, 2000 - {For Mon. 11/27 M.E.} A special committee of Minnesota educators is helping decide what, if any, changes should be made to the Profile of Learning graduation standards. Consultants hired by the state recently issued a critical analysis of the Profile system. A local panel meets this week to review that report and will soon send its own recommendations for legislative adjustments to the state's education commissioner. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
November 27, 2000 - Joining us now with his take on the situation in Florida is Steven Schier, chair of the political science department at Carleton College in Northfield.