SICKO!

Documentary film maker Michael Moore is at it again with a new film hitting theaters in the coming year. It is titled “Sicko” and the film focuses on the American health care system.

A quote from his website:
“Back in February, I asked if people would send me letters describing their experiences with our health care system. I received over 19,000 of them. It was truly overwhelming as we literally took a month and read them all. To read about the misery people are put through on a daily basis by our profit-based system was both moving and revolting. That’s all I will say right now.”

It is always good when people care to speak out about the general well being of the public, however Michael Moore has also been subject to a fair share of critisism…many people have disregarded his films as extremist or incredibly one sided. Others argue that Michael Moore is extremely effective at getting his point across. One thing is for sure, the guy knows how to pack a movie theater.
The film Sicko will be released sometime in 2007. As for the past month Micheal has been keeping himself extra busy holding his second annual Traverse City Film Festival this which saw 50,000 festival goers last year. He hosts the festival as a venue for talented filmakers who’s films have gone undistributed despite the fact that they are undoubtedly deserving.

A busy guy that Michael!

Harmless Stem Cell Cultivation

stem cellEmbryonic stem cell research is, for some people, morally wrong. Well, good news! A company in the USA has discovered a technique that can generate the stem cells from embryos without harming the embryo!

Stem cell research is important because it can provide for fantastic treatments for people suffering from various ailments. This new technique will hopefully allow more research to happen.

“The technique used by the company is similar to the one already used to extract single cells from IVF embryos when they are screened for inherited disorders. Dr Lanza and his team believe that it will be possible to adapt the existing technique so that stem cells could be almost routinely extracted from human IVF embryos without harming their future health and well-being.”

Socially Conscious Capitalism

The WorldWatch Institute is running an article that asks Is Capitalism Growing More Socially Conscious? It looks like yes, the case is that capitalism is showing a little heart. Corporate Social Responsibility is gaining influence in investment firms and Fortune 500 companies.

I know that this isn’t great news, but as far as I’m concerned, capitalism caring for people is hugely symbolic. I hope that this trend continues.

“The growth of CSR among major corporations has been spurred by a parallel development in social consciousness among investment firms. In April, the United Nations launched its new Principles for Responsible Investment, a series of guidelines on how to integrate environmental, social, and corporate governance issues into the financial industry. As of August 1, the diverse signatories to the Principles together controlled more than $5 trillion in assets. This enormous quantity of money, expected to grow as the initiative wins new adherents, will make SRI central to the practices of the financial investment industry.”