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Humanist Electronic Press Agency
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Publishes only news about social, scientific and cultural achievements and progress of humanity.
N. 17 - November 1998
EDITORIAL
A very rich issue thanks to the contribution of the new list of "Buena Nuevas"; could it be that our Italian friends need to wake up and strengthen themselves a little? However, the chief editor is always more unemployed, besides translating and coordinating!
Spain: improvements made in the vaccine for malaria.
Great Britain: immunity denied to Pinochet
Argentina: supper with the humanists
Brazil: large landed estate occupied
Central America: debt for flooded peoples suspended or
cancelled
Outer Space: laid first piece of the international orbiting
station
USA: stamina cells isolated and cultivated
Egypt: violations of human rights denounced
USA: medicine against hepatitis C
Senegal: first African humanist cultural meeting
Argentina: teachers protest in mourning.
USA: cerebral cells regenerated
USA: ex-convicts in favor of Mumia
Great Britain: first artificial finger
USA: food against hypertension
Japan: increase in conversation times
USA: arsenic to cure cancer?
Israel: beginning of evacuation of territories
Bangladesh: Talisma Nasreen freed
Guyana: Natives ask for their lands back
USA: a computer to be worn
Argentina: give back the land to the Mapuches
Costa Rica: humanist singer wins song festival
Congo: Amnesty report on human rights
Colombia: Native victory
USA: bionic eye for a person blind for 15 years
USA: plain in flight for six months
Argentina: dinosaur embryo found
NEWS
Where: Spain
About: Improvements to the anti-malaria vaccination
When: 22/11/98
Source: El Espectador, buenasnuevas
The Colombian scientist Manuel Elkin Patroyo presented, in Granada, the improvements he
has introduced to the anti-malaria vaccine which have made it more efficient. According to
Patroyo, the experiments demonstrate that this new version of the vaccine is 70% more
efficient, thanks to an increase in 100 to 200 antibodies. The Colombian scientist has
refused, more than once, the offer of money by North American pharmaceutical companies and
continues to donate his vaccine to the World Health Organization, which allows the vaccine
to be sold to the public at a minimal price.
Where: Great Britain
About: immunity denied to Pinochet
When: 11/25/98
Source: MI.S.N.A, Amnesty International
The House of Lords has denied, today immunity, to the once Chilean dictator Augusto
Pinochet. The Supreme Court of Appeal has thus given its judgement on the lawfulness of
the arrest notified to Pinochet on the 16th of October while he was interned in an English
clinic for surgery. The ex-dictator, who is now out on parole in a London clinic, could
therefore be extradited to Spain where he is incriminated for genocide. Manifestations of
joy occurred in various parts of the world and in Chile. Among the various comments here
is the one given out by the Italian office of Amnesty International. "The sentence
emitted by the House of Lords on the Pinochet case opens a great, new hope. For the many
victims of the crimes of which he is responsible, but also for all of humanity that is
thirsty for justice.
Where: Argentina
About: dinner with the humanists
When: 11/18/98
Source: Humanist Movement, Buone Nuove
In Cordoba 1700 persons participated in the dinner with the candidates of the Humanist
Party who are introducing themselves to their future electors in a very original way. It
is a very common way in Argentina. It is called a "cena compartida", that is a
popular manifestation where everyone eats, there are shows, short speeches, and, most of
all, there is time to be together in a relaxed and informal way. The candidates of the
various areas where accompanied by the founder of the Humanist Movement, Mario Rodriguez
(Silo) who is touring the whole country. Starting from the farthest regions, the campaign
will reach Buenos Aires, the capital, only towards its end, thus opposing the little
attention that the other political parties give to "the province"(the Argentine
capital is where all of the powers are concentrated). Silo’s brief speech for the
occasion was based in a strong denouncement against the International Monetary Fund and in
an invitation to all, independent of their origins, or the area where they militate, to
rebuild a strong social and human action starting from the base of society, from
neighborhoods, working places, schools.
Where: Brazil
About: occupied large landed estate
When: 11/27/98
Source: MI.S.N.A.
About two thousand member of the Movement of the Workers Without Land (Movimento do
Trabalhadores rurais sem Terra) have occupied a large landed estate of Bacuri, in the
municipality of Castanhal, about 70 km. away from Belem (state of Para’, Brazil). The
National Institute of Colonization and Agricultural Reform (Incra) had already designed
the Bacuri plantation for expropriation. The "Landless" now ask that the Incra
allow them to settle soon in the territory of the estate and to be allowed to cultivate
it. In support of the workers of the MST, some representatives of religious and lay
organisms visited, yesterday, the place that was occupied and brought food and first
necessity articles.
Where: Central America
About: suspended or cancelled the debt of the flood victims
When: 11/98
Source: agencies, MI.S.N.A, Prensa Latina
France and Cuba have cancelled it, while Spain has decided for a three-year suspension the
payment of the foreign debt of the countries in Central America hit by the hurricane
"Mitch". Cuba is also willing to send, immediately and free of charge, two
thousand doctors to Honduras, Guatemala and any other Central American country hit by the
hurricane. The "chain of solidarity" which includes numerous other initiatives
of persons, associations, and institutions was asked by the Archbishop of Tegucigalpa and
re-launched by the European Commissary for humanitarian aid, Emma Bonino, who has asked
that the European Union pronounce itself on canceling the debt in those countries.
Where: Outer Space
About: first piece of international orbiting station
Source: Internazionale, agencies
The first element in the international orbiting station was launched from Baikonur,
Kazakistan, with a Proton rocket. By putting into orbit the Russian control module, Zarya,
the construction of the space base that will replace the Mir, was inaugurated. The module
in orbit will act as a sort of space raft for the astronauts to assemble the station.
Another four or five launches will be needed before 2004 when the assemblage will be
completed. The launch of the second module, the American Unity, will be on December 3.
There is still no accord on the name of the station, which will probably be
"Alpha".
Where: USA
About: stamina cells cultivated
When 11/6/98
Source: Science, agencies
In a handful of years, maybe less than ten, doctors could dispose of unlimited quantities
of human tissue to be used in transplants. To allow this dream to come true is the
revolutionary success of a group of Wisconsin researchers, who have declared in
"Science" magazine that they were able, for the first time, to isolate and
cultivate, in laboratory conditions, stamina cells derived from human embryo. The stamina
cells are at the origin of all of the tissues in the organism. From them, in successive
stated of differentiation, all of the other various types of cells in the body are
developed. Since the stamina cells of the embryo proliferate unlimitedly in vitro, they
are a potential source of specific adult cells, like those in the bones, muscles and
blood. The American scientists started from the internal cells of human blastocytes, one
of the first stages of development of an embryo, a few days after fecundation. From these,
they derived five independent cellular lines, which they managed to cultivate in vitro and
they observed the differentiation into the three different fundamental types of embryo
cells: ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm. The possibility to reproduce at will the stamina
cells has profound implications for the medicine of transplants as well as for the
development of medications. One day, it would practically be possible to cultivate in any
laboratory tissue, cardiac muscles, bone marrow and even cerebral tissue.
Where: Egypt
About: reports on human rights
When: 11/17/98
Source: Internazionale, agencies
Human Rights Watch and the Egyptian Organization for human rights have denounced in an
open letter to President Hosni Mubarak, the systematical use of torture by the police to
extort confessions and information. The two organizations suggested the creation of an
Independent Commission of Inquest to reinforce an anti-torture legislation.
Where: USA
About: medicaments against hepatitis-C
When: 11/98
Source: Internazionale, agencies
After the European study was published by Lancet on the efficacy of the combination of two
medicines- interferon and ribavirine- against hepatitis-C, it was confirmed from research
in the United States. From a research project presented in Chicago, it emerges that
bitherapy is twice as efficient than a single treatment of interferon. This data is a big
step ahead in therapy against hepatitis-C that affects more than 170 million persons in
the world.
Where: Senegal
About: first African humanist cultural meeting
When: 11/26/98
Source: Humanist Movement, Center of Cultures
The first of a series of humanist cultural meetings took place in the University of Dakar
with the theme "Man in front of man: hope or despair". Attending this meeting
were Salvatore Puledda, thinker of the New Humanism, Loredana Cici, President of the
Humanist International, Eduardo Gozalo, President of the Federation for Human Support,
Amath Kante’, Imam of the UCAD mosque, J. M. Afoutou, doctor and biologist, Serigne
Mbaye, sociologist, Mrs. Sidibe’, Director of the Institute of Law. Other debates and
conferences will follow on Islam, human rights, with the participation of African
philosophers. It is the first round of conferences in the continent by members of the New
Humanism with the goal of creating a bridge and an interchange with the African humanist
culture.
Where: Argentina
About: teachers protest in mourning
When: 11/19/98
Source: MI.S.N.A.
The Argentine scholastic education dressed in mourning. Since yesterday, for every
Wednesday until December 16, the teachers of the province of Mendoza, near the Andes, will
go to class dressed rigorously in black waiting for the government to face the question of
the scholastic budget. As shown today in a daily newspaper, "Los Andes", in some
cases, as in the schools of Godoy Cruz, instead of the all black dress, a black band is
worn around the arm as a sign of mourning. We have lost a lot, there is no clear
educational policy, the Statute of the Teacher is not respected and neither is our salary,
explained Isabel Speck, teacher in the school Presidente Quintana.
Where: USA
About: cerebral cells regenerated
When: 11/14/98
Source: agencies, buenasnuevas
A group of California scientists affirms to have demonstrated for the first time that the
cells of the human brain divide themselves and grow. This fact opens great possibilities
in the cure of diseases caused by accidents. The specialists announced that there are in
preparation a series of experiments that aim at regenerating human brain cells outside of
the brain and then implant them in patients suffering from Alzheimer and Parkinson, other
than those who have lesions in their spinal chord.
Where: USA
About: ex-convicts for Mumia
When: 11/13/98
Source: Committee for Mumia
In the campaign to avoid the death sentence for Mumia Abu-Jamal, an Afro-American
journalist who is once again in danger of being executed for facts which he has always
declared himself innocent of, 15 ex-convicts detained in death row, who were released
after their unjust condemnations were overturned, signed an appeal that asks the state of
Pennsylvania to free Mumia. The letter circulated during the National Conference of Unjust
Condemnations to the Death Penalty, held in Chicago. Each one of those who signed was
condemned and sentenced to death for a crime he had not committed. They were then released
from death row after being found innocent by an official court or after the accusations
had fallen following determinant proof of innocence.
Where: Great Britain
About: first artificial finger
When: 11/14/98
Source: agencies, buenasnuevas
For the first time, a finger made from a bone in a laboratory, was built and then
transplanted on a human being. The finger, a thumb, was inserted in the hand of a North
American factory worker who had lost his finger in an accident while at work. This
revolutionary transplant could sign a new era in medicine. The researchers believe that if
this technique reveals itself efficient, in the future, it would be possible to build new
breasts in women cancer victims, or to make complex organs like the liver or uterus.
Where: USA
About: food against hypertension
When: 11/21/98
Source: agencies, buenasnuevas
A diet rich in olive oil, pasta, bread and vegetables fights arterial hypertension,
according to the conclusions of the researchers in the University of New Orleans. The
research involved circa 14,000 persons, older than 18, in which the relationship between
diet and arterial pressure varied in function of a diet based on carbohydrates.
Where: Japan
About: increase in the times of conservation
When: 11/4/98
Source: Internazionale, agencies
A group of Japanese scientists have found a way to multiply the maximum time of
conservation of an organ destined for transplant, by using tardigrads as an example. The
minuscule invertebrates can survive in extreme conditions, entering in latent life for
months even. By treating the organs with sugar used by the tardigrads it is possible to
conserve them for ten days, instead of 30 hours.
Where: USA
About: arsenic to cure cancer?
When: 21/11/98
Source: agencies, buenasnuevas
A study on terminal cancer patients has shown that a treatment based on arsenic trioxide
has produced that were defined as "very satisfying". It is to be noted that in
the 11 cases examined the patients did not react anymore to any conventional cancer cure.
Where: Israel
About: the withdrawal from the territories has begun
When: 11/24/98
Source: Internazionale, agencies
The Israeli army has started to withdraw itself from the West Bank, which was occupied in
1967 after the Six Year’s War. The withdrawal occurs in an area around Jenin and
Nablus, in the northern part of the West Bank. According to the memorandum signed with the
Palestinians at Wye Plantation on October 23, Israel must withdraw from the 13.1% of the
West Bank; of this 3% will be destined to be a natural reserve. At the same time, after
two years from its completion, the airport Yasser Arafat of Rafah in the Gaza stripe has
begun functioning. Still according to the Wye accord, Israel has freed 250 Palestinian
convicts, 150 of which were detained for common crimes. Other 500 will be freed.
Where: Bangladesh
About: Tasmin Nasreen freed
When: 11/22/98
Source: agencies, Buone Nuove
The High Court has conceded parole to the writer Taslima Nasreen, accused of having
included blaspheme comments in her books. Talisma who, among her other numerous
commitments for peace and human rights, subscribed to the Humanist Campaign of 2000
Without Wars, returned to her country last September after four years of exile in Sweden,
to assist her sick mother. On her head lies the condemnation, by the Islamic
fundamentalists, especially due to her courageous opinions on the rights of women in her
country.
Where: Guyana
About: Natives ask for their land back
When: 11/4/98
Source: Amarc - Pulsar, buenasnuevas
Six Native chiefs have formally asked the High Court of Guyana an extension of land to
live in their communities; the Native chiefs highlight that their request was initiated in
1967, and there still has not been any response. The region that was asked for, High
Mazaruni, has gold mines and diamonds exploited by North American companies and small
local Brazilian miners. In 1995 some tons of cyanide of a Canadian company were discharged
in an affluent of the river Esequibo causing an ecological disaster which has involved the
indigenous communities.
Where: USA
About: computer to be worn
When: 11/4/98
Source: Internazionale, agencies
IBM has presented the first personal computer to be worn. Large as a walkman, it weighs
300 grams and is equipped with a screen which can be worn like a pair of glasses, as well
as a microphone which allows one to control it by voice. It has an Intel processor of 233
MHz and a hard disk of 430 Mb.
Where: Argentina
About: land given back to the Mapuches
When: 11/10/98
Source: Amarc - Pulsar, buenasnuevas
Recently in the province of Neuquen, at Loma de Lata, lands were returned to the Mapuche
communities of Patagonia. This success has encouraged the Natives to fight with greater
decision for their rights and for the recognition of their popular identity. The lands in
question, returned by the Argentine government, are near a gas duct in construction in a
region rich in petroleum and precious minerals.
Where: Costa Rica
About: humanist singer wins song festival
When: 11/14/98
Source: agencies, Buone Nuove
Raul Alarcon, in art Florcita Motuda, has won the International Latin American Song
Festival, OTI, considered the most important one of the South American world. The Chilean
songwriter and singer presented the song "End of the Century (this is the time to
inflame oneself, get depressed, or transform oneself), undertaken with lots of happiness
in cooperation with his daughter who conducted the orchestra. "El Flor", as his
friends call him, is a humanist militant of the first hour, became famous in the whole
world with his ironic parody of Strauss’s "Blue Danube" that became
"The No Waltz" during the plebiscite against Pinochet. It earned him a citation
in the French magazine "Actuel" among the ten songs that changed the world.
During the dictatorship, the songs of Florcita, caustic against the regime, were
underground editions, and circulated among an opposition militant net. After the
announcement of the victory of the NO, the plebiscite the singer presented himself at the
Moneda with the three-colored band to find out when the dictator had the intention to
leave the palace.
The audio file of the winning song can be found in internet at:
http://www.ciberaula.com/~mundohum/
Where: Congo
About: Amnesty report on human rights
When: 11/23/98
Source: Amnesty International
In a report that coincided with the visit of Laurent Kabila to Italy, Amnesty
International denounces the violence committed against civilians by all of the factions
involved in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thousands of persons have
been massacred, have "disappeared", have been tortured, raped, or have been
illegally detained after the fighting began last August 2nd. In the report entitled
Democratic Republic of Congo: the war against defenseless civilians, the organization
signals the abuse committed by the government soldiers and allied ethnic groups of both
sides, as well as, foreign forces intervening on either side.
Where: Colombia
About: victory of the Natives
When: 11/11/98
Source: buenasnuevas
The Colombian constitutional Court has sentenced that the hydroelectric project of the
Sinu’ Valley in Cordoba will be allowed to continue only if the company will respect
the requirements of environmental impact and will give indemnity to the indigenous
populations of the Embera Katios. The Court has specified that the company will have to
recognize the authority of the Natives, will have to start a health program, will have to
start a substitution program for the animal and plant species, and will have to build an
organism where the Natives will have the possibility of giving an opinion and
participating in the project.
Where: USA
About: bionic eye for a person blind for 15 years
When: 11/6/98
Source: agencies
A man who had been blind for fifteen years was able to see the light after the insertion
of a microchip in his eye bulb. For 45 minutes Harold Chulchey, 71 years old, was able to
see again thanks to a 2 mm2 microchip that was put on his retina in the place of the
damaged cells. The doctors simply transmitted the signals on the chip, which reacted by
sending images to the brain. The bionic eye was built by Mark Humayun, a surgeon of the
John Hopkins hospital, of Baltimore, Maryland (USA) according to whom, in five years,
there will be a definitive chip that will be able to give back vision to those who have
less serious eye problems.
Where: USA
About: airplane in flight for six months
When: 11/22/98
Source: agencies
Without a pilot, and in flight for six months without landing. This is the data of Helios,
the first, almost eternal, airplane that went on its first flight on the Mojave desert, in
California. The airplane, produced by an American company, works thanks to solar energy
that activates eight helixes and flights at a quota of 17000 and 23000 m. At night, the
helixes are activated by a series of batteries. The airplane, weighing 727 kg. has a
single long wing of 76.8 m.
Where: Argentina
About: first dinosaur embryos found
When: 11/18/98
Source: MI.S.N.A.
Sensational archaeological discovery in Patagonia (Argentina). Fossil dinosaur embryo of
the Cretaceous Period (Mesozoic Era) kept in their egg shells, dating 80 million years ago
were found by an expert of the New York Museum of Natural History and the Municipality
Museum of Argentina, Carmen Funes. The embryos were found near Auca Mahuida. According to
the American archaeologist, Luis Chiappe, the incredible quantity of eggs with embryo
inside, makes one thing of a real slaughter of would-be baby dinosaurs due to a flood. The
water, penetrating through the porous surface of the shells killed the embryo but, in the
meantime, the thick mud strata allowed the perfect conservation of the eggs.
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