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," Time's Running Out. If you want to enroll in our June LSAT course. Our LSAT courses begin May 4. 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