Clearly those countries still in the commonwealth have an attitude less influenced by the puritanical attitudes that drive far too much of the public discourse in the US. Their position is far more enlightened.

As evidenced by the back peddling of Rick Perry in the Republican primary; pressure against science, that the religious conservative movement is driving, will push our country into a period of adversity towards science, and even what we are currently seeing as science denial in spite of evidence.

The rise of the anti vaccine movement (against all vaccines not just the one for HPV) fueled by urban myth on the Internet, is particularly troubling. The rise of the Internet and the ability for anyone -with any level of education or understanding- (from idiots, to intellectuals, to those who have endeavored in a particular field their whole lives) the to have the same weight of importance and equal voice in their comments is absurd. In a world where the ability to say anything - lie or truth, opinion or fact, hiding behind an anonymous screen name, and lacking any credentials, we have created a situation where the loudest voices get the most exposure, not those with the most education to express informed opinions. And the masses believe the nonsense that they read and repeat it ad nauseum. And presto! an urban myth that hundreds of girls have died from the HPV vaccine is born, and believed by millions. I want to PUKE!

Well I guess I needed to get that out. I feel better now�.

Most of the promising stem cell research is now being conducted outside the US. This will inevitably yield therapies and drugs that US corporations will not financially benefit from, and which will reach US patients far after patients in other countries. As a science oriented individual, I can't feel less than sad about the state of all this.