January 17, 2024

AfroChem, Iowa Caucus, AiVF

January 17, 2024


January 17, 2024

“I will stay in prison till the moss grows on my eyebrows rather than make a slaughterhouse of my principles.”

John Bunyan

Afrochemistry at Rice

Rice University is offering an 'Afrochemistry' class, described as the study of science through a contemporary African-American lens. The course, marketed as 'the study of black-life matter,' aims to apply chemical tools to understand black life in the US and implement African American sensibilities in analyzing chemistry. Taught by Brooke Johnson, a Rice graduate with a Ph.D. in chemistry, the class explores racial justice and chemistry, addressing questions such as 'What does justice look like in chemistry?' and 'How does our society shape the science we do?'. While some view the course as an intersection of science and social justice, others express concerns about the potential dilution of scientific study by identity politics.

If the goal of Rice's new class on 'Afrochemistry' is creativity in wordplay, they deserve an A. Kudos are also in order if their goal is to help students understand how perceptions can inform a dangerous resistance to Truth. If, however, this course and its diversity hire in any way intend to soften convictions related to fixed truths, they deserve an F.

Einstein's famous "theory of relativity" was never intended to suggest constants were variable, but it did explain how things which are not different can appear different to different people who exist in different circumstances. His observations and the famous mathematical equation (e=mc2) showed us why things can appear different to each of us depending on our vantage point and circumstances. But it cannot be missed that Einstein did this by using the hard, fixed truth of math. It is our perspective that is relative, not reality. What appears should never be confused with what is. Students may need to understand why they are tempted to "analyze" Truth from an "African American sensibility," but they don't need to be encouraged to trust in it. Identity philosophy is not a path to correctly identifying what is True. 

Truth is inviolable (Proverbs 30:5-6), unchanging (Hebrews 13:8), knowable (Proverbs 23:23), and is the source of freedom (John 8:32). Truth is stubborn (Acts 26:14). It is not something we create, it is something we discover (Matthew 7:7) when we seek (Jeremiah 29:13) and listen to the God of all Truth (Psalm 119:42). Truth keeps a man's, and his culture's pants up (Ephesians 6:14). When Truth is abandoned it won't be long before the foolishness of the man, and the world he lives in, is exposed (Romans 1:22-26). Truth isn't something that we can play with 'on our own terms' without finding out the hard way what "justice" looks like in eternity, much less in chemistry. 

Chemistry teaches us that the combination of nitro and glycerine is explosive, and if Rice in any way encourages its students that the "intersection of racial justice and chemistry" is anything but detrimental to true understanding and learning, it is Rice's reputation as a top 10 university that will soon blow up (Galatians 6:7).

Truth is something the remnant must practice (John 3:21) and preach (2 Timothy 4:2), and being able to respond to the perverted understanding of the way D.E.I. is being used to force postmodern ideology into science and society is a crucial part of our prophetic call today. 

By Todd Wagner

AiVF

AIVF, a leader in AI solutions for in vitro fertilization (IVF), has been recognized among the top 50 digital health startups globally by CB Insights. The acknowledgment highlights AIVF's mission to advance healthcare and its pioneering role in IVF technology. Operating in 35 clinics across 14 countries, AIVF's operational AI platform, EMATM, is renowned for enhancing efficiency and improving patient outcomes. AIVF technology boasts high statistics, including better testing to assess the "ploidy status" of embryos, leading to "higher success rates" and "fewer cycles to reach fetal heartbeat."

In the context of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), assessing the ploidy status of embryos is crucial to selecting healthy embryos for implantation, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy. Technologies like preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploid status (PGT-A) are used to evaluate the chromosomal content of embryos before they are implanted in the uterus. AI-driven methods aim to predict the ploidy status of embryos non-invasively to aid in the selection of viable embryos for implantation during IVF procedures.

The use of euphemisms or technical language to mask the true mechanism of "testing" and "technological advancements" is not a new tactic by those in the field of reproductive science or “rights”. In this case, the AIVF technology tests the embryos for chromosomal imperfections so that the "success rate" of "healthy pregnancies" is quicker, higher, and more likely. Read: embryos (blastocysts) with imperfections (aneuploid status) are destroyed (evaluated for genetic integrity before they are implanted). Using technology to improve things made in the image of man makes sense, but using it to assign value to people made in the image of God does not (Genesis 9:6, Genesis 1:27).

What is not being said is that many of these chromosomal "imperfections" are viable for life: Trisomy 21, Down Syndrome as an example. Trisomies 18, 13, and many others, although they may bring a life-limiting diagnosis, still lead to life. What AIVF seeks to do is allow mothers or fathers pursuing IVF to destroy embryos that do not pass their standard of "viable," "healthy," or "suitable." Simply put, this tech makes it more efficient to commit murder of the unborn. 

Where a child is created is not the question, Who creates it and Who gives it value is (Psalm 139:14-15). There is nothing in terms of size, level of development, environment, or degree of dependence that suggests that a fertilized egg in a petri dish is less worthy of life than a full-grown man. 

  • SIZE: Is a short person less valuable than a tall person? 

  • LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT: Is a genius more worthy of life than someone with learning disabilities? 

  • ENVIRONMENT: Does being inside make you more worthy of protection than someone outside? 

  • DEGREE OF DEPENDENCE: Is an infant, totally dependent on his mother, less important than an "independent" fully grown adult? What about an elderly person? Someone wheelchair-bound?  

Be wary of euphemisms, wordplay, technological advancements, and the schemes of marketing strategists that make it harder to discern the evil being promoted, however well-intentioned it might be. 

By Todd Wagner and Kirby Mankin

Trump Wins in Iowa

Former President Donald Trump has won the 2024 Iowa caucuses, solidifying his position as the clear frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis secured second place, prevailing over former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Vivek Ramaswamy suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump after finishing fourth.

The Iowa Caucus saw a remarkably low turnout in the sub-zero-degree weather. In 2016, Trump secured 24% of the vote in Iowa, while this time around, he surged to 51%, propelled by self-identified evangelicals. Trump's win reflects his enduring loyalty among GOP voters despite persistent legal challenges. The Iowa caucuses set the stage for the upcoming New Hampshire primary, where Trump aims to maintain momentum.

Despite the media often defining and examining "evangelical" in exclusively socio-political terms, "evangelical" is taken from the Greek word euangelion, meaning "gospel" or "good news." As we delve further into an election year, prepare for increased scrutiny of this group, not in its proper sense referring to true followers of Jesus Christ, but merely to denote a specific voting bloc.

While labels can be useful, definitions matter more, and ordering our lives by principles that align with God's Word matters most (1 John 3:18). If "evangelicals" focused on living their lives and making sure their vote was in accordance with the euangelion more than a political party or candidate our country would be better for it (Philippians 3:8).

Sadly, election years tend to find more people carelessly sowing inflammatory words and questionable deeds than the seeds of the gospel and truth. The remnant must hold fast to our primary identity as children of God (Romans 8:16-17, Galatians 2:20) rather than any worldly associations while exercising their right (responsibility) to vote and thoughtfully engage in civic (political) issues. Be quick to listen, slow to speak (or tweet), and slow to anger (James 1:19). Join us in prayer for our nation as they interact, discuss, and vote for future leadership (Colossians 4:2).

By Jamie Wilder

Other news you should know

🚫 ABC News cancels New Hampshire debate after Nikki Haley said she would not debate unless former President Trump joined.

🇵🇰 Pakistan says children killed in yesterday's strike by Iranian militant group

⛑️Israel and Hamas have reached a deal to allow more humanitarian aid into war-ravaged Gaza.

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