Biodiversity convention is criticized as lightweight on science

Darkfrog submitted, created time 4 months 3 weeks (www.nature.com)

Swedish researchers have criticized the body that advises the Convention on Biological Diversity as light on science and overly dominated by politics, and they are not alone. According to Dr. M. Stocking of the United Kingdom, the people who end up in positions as advisors "tend to be government nominees … not scientists who are up to date with the literature

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Will proposed changes pull the teeth of the Endangered Species Act?

Darkfrog submitted, created time 4 months 3 weeks (sciencenow.sciencemag.org)

As things stand, before granting permission for the government or a private entity to start a project that may affect an endangered specie, the Army Corps of Engineers or FEMA sends the case to the Fish and Wildlife Service or to the NOAA. There, biologists and ecologists determine whether the proposed project would harm vital habitats or the species themselves. These organizations cover tens of thousands of projects each year.

In other words, "Scientific question, ask scientists

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Prescribed pot users face transplant hurdles

kavin submitted, created time 8 months 1 week (www.msnbc.msn.com)

Should using marijuana be held against a patient in need of transplant? About this question, there are several different views. And people tend to advise that there needs to be some kind of national eligibility criteria. Because the patients are trusting their physician to do the right thing. The physician prescribes marijuana, they take the marijuana, and they are shocked that this is now the end result. And no one tracks how many patients are denied transplants over medical marijuana use.

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