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Analog Science Fiction & Fact Magazine
March 2002
This month's issue of Analog features an editorial by Stanley
Schmidt who looks at the issues and debates (mostly heated) behind
stem cell and human cloning research. He gives a brief reminder about
similar debates over over reproductive technologies in the past (like
in-vitro fertilisation) to give a perspective on debates on stem cells
and human cloning. He believes research into those areas will
continue but wonders where we might be headed in a future where human
cloning is considered routine.
Stories featured in this issue are:
- "Hominids (Part 3 of 4)" by Robert J. Sawyer.
In this part of the interesting story, Ponter, the Neanderthal from an
alternate Earth, finds out more about our Earth and has begun to
resign himself to living among humans for the rest of his life, cut
off from his own world. Meanwhile, back on Ponter's Earth, his
partner Adikor, is struggling to explain what happened to Ponter and
defend himself against the accusation that he had murdered Ponter. In
the end, he comes up with a plan to try to get Ponter back. But will
he have the chance to try it?
- "Hearts in Darkness" by H.G. Stratmann.
In this exciting story, a medical doctor on a space station is
suddenly thrust into a moral and medical emergency when one of the
station's crew members suffers a heart attack under unusual
circumstances involving other crew members.
- "Parchment in Glass" by Ron Collins.
An interesting but somewhat confusing (to me) story about a scientist
who is sent to a conference to assasinate another scientist, believe
to be a traitor by his government. But as the mission continues he
discovers an even greater danger which he has to eliminate.
- "DNA Royalty" by Kyle Kirkland.
An amusing story about twins, set in a futuristic castle. One of them
is always striving to escape from the castle but he is always caught;
except, perhaps, once.
- "Flight Correction" by Ken Wharton.
An impressive and fascinating story about a scientist who lives an
isolated life with his family somewhere in the Galapagos islands.
When an unusual avian event happens, he suspects it may something to
do with the
'space elevator'
built nearby. But how can he prove it and can he convince the
authorities in time to avert a potential disaster?
- "The Human Genome Results" by Steven Bratman, M.D.
This Science Fact article notes that the
Human Genome Project has
discovered that there are 'only' 30,000 genes in the DNA of a man.
Based on this, he speculates on the possibilities of creating
artificial life. He starts off by covering how DNA acts as an
information search engine and storage device and thinks how this could
be artificially duplicated. He goes on to speculate on whether such
intelligent might develope feelings and consciousness.
- Ego Boost by Ian Randal Strock. A
Probability Zero story that looks at the discover of a new
power source: the human ego. But who would be the best source?
- A Primer on Proof by Jeffrey D. Kooistra. This
Alternatate View article looks at the difference between the
words "proof" and "evidence" and shows how people can mis-use them.
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