LOCAL/STATE
The Michigan Daily Thursday, April 16. 1998 - 3A
*RESEARCH
Next generation
of the Internet
in the making
University researchers, other state
universities and nonprofit compa-
nies are working to create a new
worldwide computer network.
The network, considered by many
to be the next generation of the
Internet, would be capable of trans-
mitting the entire Encyclopedia
Britannica in a single second.
The project recently received $500
million in private donations and $50
!million in federal grants.
The network is based on the use
of fiberoptic cable and features such
as priority data-sorting, which sends
more urgent data before non-urgent
dat a.
The final result will be a network
that could be more than a thousand
times faster than the current
Internet.
One hundred-thirty research institu-
tions across the country, including the
University, will have access to this
high-speed network for the first few
years of its existence.
Qwest Communications, Nortel
and Cisco Communications will be
responsible for building the net-
work.
U' bio station to
determine
C02 levels
An ancient grove of trees located
at the University's 10,000-acre
Biological Station, located near
Pellston. Mich., soon will assist sci-
entists across the United States in
learning more about the global cli-
mate change and its effect on
Michigan.
The station was chosen by the U.S.
Department of Energy as one of 24
North American sites to be part of its
Ameriflux network.
The network's goal is to determine
the exact effect of the burning of fos-
sil fuels, which releases carbon diox-
ide into the atmosphere.
Sensing instruments located at
these sites will measure the levels of
CO2 exchanged between the sites'
local ecosystems and the atmos-
phere.
Although scientists believe they
know the worldwide atmospheric
levels of CO2, no one knows how
much CO2 is stored in plants and
soils, or exactly what happens when
these plants die.
The Ameriflux project may begin
to unravel that mystery.
Alternative
medicine takes
center stage
The College of Pharmacy will
hold a day-long program on alterna-
tive medicinal therapies, answering
questions about their effectiveness
and safety.
The seminar will discuss topics
including the use and efficacy of
..antioxidants, homeopathic medicine
aid herbal remedies.
Specific over-the-counter "natural
remedies" to be discussed at the semi-
jmr include ginseng, melatonin, ginkgo
and megadose vitamin and mineral
supplements.
Several renowned researchers and
authors will speak at the seminar,
including Dennis Chernin, a homeo-
pathic physician and co-author of
"Homeopathic Remedies for Health
Professionals and Laypeople," and
Evelyn DeNike, an FDA public affairs
specialist.
The event is scheduled for April 24
from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rackham
Auditorium.
Both pharmacists and consumers
are welcome to participate.
For more information, call 764-
.053.
- Compiled by Daily StaffReporter
Sam Stavis.
MSA resolves to support lawsuit intervention
By Gerard Cohen-Vrignaud
D)lly Staff Reporter
As affirmative action opponents have become
increasingly vocal and active, rallying behind two
lawsuits that target the University's race-based
admissions, student leaders who support racial
preferences in higher education are also making
their views heard.
Forty-one University and high school students
filed a motion two months ago to intervene in the
lawsuit filed against the Law School, saying they
would help represent the views of students on the
issue of affirmative action.
The Michigan Student Assembly voted
Tuesday night to pass a resolution in support
of the students' attempt to intervene in the
lawsuit.
The assembly. as a body, will sign a petition
being circulated by the law students, requesting to
allow the students to join in the suit as defendants.
The petition will be presented to Judge Bernard
Friedman.
Miranda Massie, lead attorney for the stu-
dents' intervention, said MSA's endorsement
of the intervention would help the students'
case.
"It shows that students and community mem-
bers understand that those who are the target of
this racist lawsuit, that is affirmative action
beneficiaries, have a right to be present for the
termination of their rights and interests,"
Massie said. "They will assist the University's
defense and provide the court with informa-
tion."
Rackham Rep. Jessica Foster, a Public Policy
first-year student, said she is in favor of the stu-
dents' right to intervene.
"I support the intervention because I think that
minority students have a valid stake in this law-
suit" Foster said. "We're just stating as students
that we support other students' rights. We're not
trying to put pressure on the judge."
LSA Rep. Dan Scrota voted against the mea-
sure, citing his worry that the intervention would
hinder the University's defense of its affirmative
action policies.
"I'm concerned about whether the intervention
would damage the case of the University to defend
afirmativ eaction:' Scrota said. "I also question
whether we should support students outside the
University."
Some of the students are also circulating the
petition around campus, asking community mem-
bers to support their efarts to intervene.
Law first-year student Jasmine Abdel-Khalik,
one of the students attempting to intervene, said
signing the petition does not mean supporting
affirmative action, only supporting the right of stu-
dents to have their day in court.
"It's not necessarily a petition to support the
position of the law students for affirmative
action," Abdel-Khalik said. "The petition is
saying you support the students' right to be
heard."
Detroit airport lands $5 M in
federal improvement funds
ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) - Detroit
Metropolitan Airport has landed S5
million in federal grants intended to
case noise levels for more than 100
homes near the site, Vice President Al
Gore announced yesterday.
"It's kind of like winning the lottery,
in a sense," Wayne County Executive
Ed McNamara said during a conference
call in which Gore identified II recipi-
ents of S55 million in airport-improve-
ment funds.
"If we have one serious problem with
the airport, it's the noise," McNamara
said. "These dollars will be spent in a
very good way."
As the nation's 13th busiest airport,
Detroit Metropolitan has begun a SI.6
"It's kind of like winning the lottery,
in a sense."
- Ed McNamara
Wayne County Executive
billion expansion, including construc-
tion of an $850 million mid-field pas-
senger terminal to be completed in late
2001.
That project, officials have said,
should alleviate many of the problems
at the aging, overcrowded airport criti-
cized in recent months as being
unfriendly to fliers. A survey of 90,000
passengers nationwide ranked Detroit's
airport last among 36 for overall quali-
ty.
Houses to be soundproofed with the
latest Federal Aviation Administration
grant include 55 each in Wayne
County's Huron Township and the city
of Romulus. The funds also are intend-
ed to buy land and provide relocation
assistance for some afTected homeown-
ers. Gore said.
Legislators may ban cloning
EMILY NATHA N/ Daiy
Michael Lambek, professor of anthropology at the University of Toronto,
gives a lecture on religion during a memorial service for former anthropology
and religion Prof. Roy Rappaport at Rackham Amphitheater yesterday.
s "
U' Community
remembers former
anthropRology p1rof
LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Legislation to ban the cloning
of human beings in Michigan won quick approval Tuesday in
a Senate committee, with backers expressing hope it won't
dampen valuable medical research.
"I don't think we should have any human experimenta-
tion," said Sen. Loren Bennett, (R-Canton Twp.) and sponsor
of one of the four bills.
A fellow senator agreed - with reservations.
"I think most people are offended by human cloning," said
Sen. John Schwarz. (R-Battle Creek) and the Senate's only
medical doctor. "I thin: it's horrific.
"I am not convincd totally this will not have a chilling
effect on research," he cautioned.
Bennett said doctors are getting close to cloning a human.
"It's better to close the barn door before the horse has
escaped," he said.
The four bills were approved on 3-0 votes of the Senate
Health Policy and Senior Citizens Committee. Ihey now go
to the full Senate.
Under the bills, a person with a medical license who
engaged in human cloning would lose his license for three to
five years and be liable for a $10 million civil penalty.
Three of the bills have already passed the House in slight-
ly different form, as the House voted overwhelmingly in
January to ban the practice in Michigan. That followed the
apparently successful cloning of the sheep Dolly in Scotland
and increasing discussion of possible attempts to clonC a
human.
This year, a bill to ban human cloning was put on indefi-
nite hold in the U.S. Senate when lawmakers expressed con-
cerns it could slow scientific research, and the Scottish sei-
entist who cloned Dolly said they may have made a mistake
and will try the task again with other kinds of animals.
In addition, pharmaceutical companies began fighting
anti-cloning bills in the states, which they argued could also
prevent researchers from using routine techniques for devel-
oping new drugs, and President Clinton has called for a fed-
eral ban on human cloning.
The legislation advanced Tuesday was endorsed by Right
to Life of Michigan and the Pharmaceutical Research and
Manufacturers Association of Michigan. And while no one
spoke against it, several officials said some cloning of tissues
and other biological material was necessary to achieve med-
ical advances.
"The purpose should not be to disabuse the scientific com-
munity of research," Schwarz said.
The anti-cloning bills are Senate Bill 864 and House Bills
4846. 4962 and 5475.
By Adam Zuwerink
FOr the Daily
With fond memories ofl his
laughter and warm presence, mem-
bers of the University community
remembered the life and work of
former anthropology and religion
Prof. Roy "Skip" Rappaport yes-
terday.
"He would invariably laugh with
the ironic laughter of one who
knew himself as imperfect. He
was a religious spirit trapped in a
critical brain," said Asian lan-
guages and cultures Prof. Luis
Gomez.
Before his death at age 71 last
October, Rappaport was chair of the
anthropology department, director of
the program on studies in religion,
president of the American
Anthropological Association and a
member of numerous global anthro-
pology committees.
But Rappaport is remembered for
more than his international contribu-
tions.
"Although he served on various
global committees, lie was still
able to devote so much of his time
to his students and show that he
truly cared," said Melissa Johnson,
an anthropology doctoral candi-
date. "He served as a reaf role
model."
More than 200 friends of
Rappaport attended the service host-
ed by the department of anthroplogy,
the program on studies in religion
and Shaman Drum Bookshop.
The program began with a 40-
minute lecture on the anthropology
of religion by Michael Lambeck,
professor of anthropology at the
University of Toronto. Lambeck is a
former student of Rappaport and
received his Ph.). from the
University of Michigan in 1978.
After the lecture, University facul-
ty members and former students dis-
cussed their memories of Rappaport.
"One of his greatest qualities as a
teacher was his wonderful ability as a
host. I was moved by his elegance
and seasoned presence. He was
grounded, solid and strong," said
anthropology doctoral student Luke
Bergmann.
Many of the memories involving
Rappaport revolved around his gen-
uine sense of caring.
"Talking and chatting with Skip
was a pleasure," said LSA Dean
Edie Goldenberg. "He never
stopped advising me on behalf of
this University, which lie truly
loved.
Other speakers remembered his
sense of humor.
"He used humor in many ways,
one of which was as a genuine
show of affection." said religion
program associate Astrid Beck.
"Skip was a real national asset who
had far-reaching global visions. It
is fitting to honor such a great man
who until recently was in our
midst."
At the end of the program, Conrad
Kottak, chair of the anthropology
department, presented Rappaport's
wife, Ani, with a collection of letters
written by numerous friends of
Rappaport.
"It is going to be very difficult to
keep Skip quiet," Kottak said. "He
will continue to make his voice
known for a long time,"
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