First, let me say that I support the core arguments in this op-ed concerning the compassion society must show to those who support regenerative medicine, a rather anti-evolutionary idea. I can speak to this op-ed because I know the topic as a science writer, working with one of the world's most distinguished microbiologists, Tom Wagner, on the 2001 book LIVING WITHOUT FEAR: UNDERSTANDING CANCER AND THE NEW THERAPIES. Most of what we wrote no longer is new therapeutically but we were among the first to describe for a lay audience not only the inner workings of the genome as it relates to cancer-causing mutation, but also the human heart, as it struggles with the brutalities of evolution. To explain evolution metaphorically, I often note that it gives species what they want. Smoke tobacco, and it will kill all who cannot tolerate the habit. Build on sand (literal and metaphoric meanings), and evolution swallows you in a landslide. Evolution is heartless, which is the key to understanding the religious right apart from the politics of the voting booth. What I admire so much about this opinion piece, apart from some (but not all) of the science, is its attempt to separate religious conservatives from the few who would take advantage of their fear. Some of that fear is directed at the specter of evolution and its myriad homocides euphemistically called "deselection"--in itself, a controversial notion that challenges popular view of the proselection "improvement" of species (a rather anthropomorphic ideal). To understand this argument, and why in some respects evolution is still a "theory" (I use that word scientifically, meaning a mostly complex phenomenon subjected to and affirmed by peer review), one might read Raymond Hardy's "Natural Selection: A Deselection vs Proselection Analysis" at this URL: http://precedings.nature.com/documents/1787/version/1/html Note: I'm not endorsing Hardy or his view; it simply explains the concept of deselection vs. proselection. Deselection and human attempts to counter that natural effect are at the heart of this meaningful op-ed. Ironically, the unfortunate hoax video accompanying the crisp writing speaks to why The Daily Kos does not enjoy a fuller trust rating by those who do not share its political views but admire its social intentions. The irony of the video is that President Bush and his line "throw them in the trash" represents the deselective nature of evolution. I encourage readers of NewsTrust to do this social experiment: view the video and then read Raymond Hardy's manuscript in Nature Precedings, referenced above. Bush as lipsynched here is Nature, folks. He is Evolution. The medical personnel are anti-evolutionaries in the scientific rather than popular sense. The conservative religious folks on some level intuit that nature will throw them in the trash, explaining in part why they dread the loss of love with the obliteration of consciousness, and why they are often manipulated because of this terror, seeking a sure-fire stairway to heaven to preserve what they most held dear in this life, love, as articulated in "The Beatitudes." Here is Evolution's version, titled "The Secelerati": Blessed are the rich, for theirs is the kingdom of earth. Blessed are they that scoff, for they need no comfort. Blessed are the strong, for they already have inherited the earth. Blessed are they without hunger who seek domination, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the tyrants, for they rule without mercy. Blessed are the heartless, for they intuit no God above them. Blessed are the warlords, for they shall be called the children of evolution. Blessed are they who persecute against righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of earth. Blessed are ye, when men shall say all manner of tribute before you, for their own pitiful sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward on earth, who execute the prophets before you.