LoCAL/STATE
The Michigan Daily - Friday, January 16, 1998 - 9
Expert
denounces
human
Joning
GRAND RAPIDS (AP) - It would
be appallingly irresponsible" to dis-
cuss cloning human beings, the
Scottish scientist who produced the
sLep Dolly through cloning said yes-
tddy.
"I cannot believe that people thought
ut using this technology" on
humans, Ian Wilmut said in a speech at
Grand Rapids' Calvin College. He said
chi-ng may have benefits for livestock
prOduction and human health, but said
the science is still in its infancy with
human implications poorly understood.
"So far, you have been irresponsible
because you don't have the legislation
in place to regulate" the science of
cloning, he told a crowded audience in
eech on the ethics of cloning.
Wilmut's speech came three days
after 19 European nations signed a
reaty that said cloning people violated
human dignity and was a misuse of sci-
nce That signing followed an
nnouncement last week by Chicago
physicist Richard Seed that he will
clone a child within two years.
Two Michigan state lawmakers are
Sushing bills that would make it illegal
Michigan to clone human beings.
t U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Grand
apids), previously a scientist himself,
id the issue really should be dealt
ith at the federal level.
He has introduced two bills that he
hopes to have passed by April. The first
bans all human cloning in the United
States, while the other forbids research
on' human cloning and bans federal
money from being spent on it.
oily, unveiled in February, was
e first known clone of an adult
mamnmal. In March, President
Cliinton issued an executive order
binning the use of federal money for
any such project, and he has urged
(ongress to put the ban in place
qsickly to stop Seed from going
ahead with his plan to clone humans.
But Wilmut cautioned that humans
may not get what they bargained for,
n if they did clone a person. He said
,ing produces an infant, and a per-
son's personality is molded as much by
upbringing and environment as by
genes and inheritance.
"A copy of Mother Teresa might not
want to be a nun," he warned. "I under-
stand the wish, but I don't think it's the
proper way to go about it.
He said the technology will get bet-
ter and more efficient, and predicted it
1 be made to work on other species.
lUt he said the cloning of human
beings, such as producing new chil-
dren, poses myriad unanticipated diffi-
culties and complications.
"We can't predict the benefits,"
Wilmut said.
Student
threatens
Clinton
i
Yiemail
MIDLAND, (AP) - President
ton received a death threat via e-
mail from a Midland High School
computer, and it took just five hours
for Secret Service agents to track it
down.
Now a 17-year-old girl faces charges
that can put her behind bars for a year,
The Saginaw News reported yesterday.
"Through a number of searches and
investigative techniques, we were able
to pinpoint the student involved in
ding the messages," said Jack
nson Jr., supervisor of the Secret
Service office in Saginaw.
Heidi Sullivan is accused of making
three death threats last week, the first
from a computer at the Grace A. Dow
Memorial Library, the other two from a
computer at the high school, Johnson
said.
Sullivan was arraigned Wednesday in
Midland County District Court on two
ints of using a telephone line to make
a malicious threat. Each misdemeanor
count carries a penalty of six months in
jail and a $500 fine. She was released on
$5,000 personal recognizance. Officials
decided not to charge her with more seri-
ous felonies.
Another dusting
Survey gives nation's high
schools average grades
By William Nash
Daily Staff Reporter
Instead of giving out grades, high
schools across the country are receiving
them.
A survey recently conducted by
Education Weekly gave the nation's
high schools an average grade of a C.
The survey states that high schools
aren't properly preparing students for
the job market, or for college life.
"We were not so much surprised as
saddened by the results, especially of
urban schools," said survey director
Craig Jerald.
The survey predicts that without
improvement, "our democratic system
and our economic strength, both of
which depend on an educated citizenry,
will steadily erode; or alternative forms
of education will emerge to replace pub-
lic schools as we have known them."
The survey, which graded schools on
four different criteria, took a year to
complete.
The first area was standards and
assessments, in which the state of
Michigan earned its highest score - an
A-. The High School Proficiency Test
got Michigan the grade, despite com-
plaints from many students.
"The tests were stupid," said
Engineering first-year student Nick
Thomsen. "I know students who definite-
ly should've been proficient and weren't."
The next category was teaching qual-
ity, in which Michigan obtained the
national average - a C.
Michigan fared better than average in
the resource section of the survey, with
a B-.
The last portion, climate, gave
Michigan its lowest score. The climate
portion ranks the student-teacher ratio,
safeness of schools and class curricu-
lum. Michigan received a D - a grade
state educators will not exactly put on
the fridge.
Despite these low scores, area high
schools said they do a good job educat-
ing students. "The students I deal with
are prepared, and many actually do bet-
ter in college," Ann Arbor Pioneer prin-
cipal Bob Galardi said.
Few University students can claim
higher grades in college than in high
school: statistics show that most GPAs
drop, some by substantial amounts.
"The average grade point for Fall 1996
students was a 3.0, and we know that
about 94 percent of them had at least a 3.0
in high school," said Ruth Kallio, a staffer
in the University's academic planning
office. "This means a substantial number
had a grade point of somewhat less."
"It seemed to me that I didn't get the
firgf Jr MLK
Continued from Page 1
same feedback as in high school,'
Thomsen said, after dropping nearly an
entire grade point his first semester. "I
thought I was doing better."
Galardi said the reasons college stud
dents' grades may drop are the pres-
sures of new freedoms and responsibil-
ities that come with college life. a
Music first-year student Cara Heitman
blamed her high school for inadequately
preparing her for the University.
"1 don't think my high school did-a
very good job, and that's partly why I
did poorly," Heitman said. "I have to
keep trying to catch up."
The quality of the education a high
school student receives often depends
on the school's funding, the survey said.
With a greater allocation of funds, a
school can recruit strong faculty, have
updated technology resources and offer
more courses.
When money is tight, as it is ZaI
Brighton Public High School, officiaIs
are forced to make difficult allocatui
decisions. Brighton administrators m t
each year and look at academic depag
ments to decide which areas need
improvement.
"We're gradually moving forward
but technology is expensive and money
is a problem," said Brighton Princifa
Richard Bologna.
AP PHOTO
A fresh coat of snow graced the shoulders of the statue depicting former
Gov. Austin Blair yesterday in front of the State Capitol in Lansing.
DANCE
Continued from Page 1
will be required to stay standing, and
preferably dancing, for 30 consecu-
tive hours.
But thoughts of a long, fatiguing
night are not scaring off potential par-
ticipants, Singh said.
"People are doing can drives and
going out with buckets to raise money,"
Singh said. "Often when you do com-
munity service, you don't directly see
the effects. Here there are four families
with wonderful stories who the money
will be helping. It's amazing to see
these families."
Ryan Pastor, who attended last
night's kick-off event, was helped by
the Children's Miracle Network. Two
and a half years ago, Pastor devel-
oped a brain tumor the size of an egg
between his cerebrum and brain
stem.
"He came into the hospital a healthy
seven-year-old and came out of the hos-
pital a child who couldn't talk, couldn't
move his legs, couldn't move his arms,
couldn't do anything,"said John Pastor,
Ryan's father.
Ryan Pastor is now almost fully
recovered, and his father credits the
Children's Miracle Network for his
son's health.
"I'l do anything for CMN," John
Pastor said."Ryan's definitely someone
to be proud of and look up to. There is
such a thing as a miracle, and it's him."
Students are not the only ones who
have embraced the Dance Marathon.
Members of the corporate communi-
ty, including 7-UP and Kaplan
Educational Centers, have lent
financial and logistical support,
Singh said.
Adam Acey, promotion director and
mid-day air personality at Ann Arbor's
WIQB 103 FM, said WIQB is excited
to be the primary media sponsor of the
event.
"We'll use the power of having a
voice over the airwaves to help chil-
dren out," Acey said. "For an event in
its infancy to have 50,000 watts
behind the effort is a lot of help.
We're giving the marathon tons of
publicity on the air and broadcasting
live from the event."
Other symposium highlights include a day-long community ser-
vice project, "Acting on the Dream," and a unity march sponsored
by the Black Student Union, both on Monday.
Events began Saturday with a photo exhibit at the University's
Museum of Art, titled "Dust-Shaped Hearts: Portraits of African-
American Men."
"We want to honor and continue Dr. King's work, and maintain
the dialogue that he would if he were still alive," said symposium
coordinator Tara Young, an Office of Multicultural Initiatives pro-
gram coordinator.
The theme of this year's symposium, "Why We Can't Wait," is
taken from a passage from King's "Letter from Birmingham City
Jail."
"Martin Luther King, Jr. was a proponent of affirmative action
in higher education," Monts said. "He believed that access to edu-
cation was a key component in the struggle toward racial equality.
The many events held in observance will remind us that work still
th needs to be done, and that challenges to our admissions policies are
simply another version of George Wallace standing in the school
house door.:
The majority of symposium events take place Monday, a
University holiday and King's observed birthday. Events continue
rO throughout the month.
Many student groups and academic departments, including'Uie
Black Student Union Alianza and La Voz Mexicana, helped plan
the symposium.
"It's a day off of classes, but it has a great educational aspect. A
lot of people don't know what Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for"
said LSA senior Dedra Miles, a minority peer adviser at Mary
} Markley residence hall and an organizer of an affirmative action
panel Monday, titled "Affirmative Action, Why Now?"
More information on the symposium and listings of all events
can be found at http://vww.umich.edu/~oapama/mlk98.
REG ENTS
Continued from Page 1
of satisfaction in the position?'
Provost Nancy Cantor said
Neidhardt's willingness to remain in his
position for another year will allow a
search committee to evaluate candi-
dates and finally recommend an indi-
vidual to fill Neidhardt's position.
"We are just absolutely delighted,
that is, the president and I, to cajole
Fred into a few more months of dedi-
cated service," Cantor said.
Within about one month, a search
committee to replace Neidhardt will
have a "serious" start, Neidhardt said.
Final recommendations will be made
next fall.
The Board yesterday also solidified
the appointment of Prof. Douglas
Kelbaugh, formerly of the University of
Washington, as the new dean of
Architecture and Urban Planning.
Kelbaugh's appointment will take
effect July 1. He will replace interim
dean Jim Snyder, who has served since
last July.
Cantor said the University is excited
about Kelbaugh's potential at the
University.
"He's very interested in urban design
and what we can do in the college
around urban design," Cantor said.
"He's a very creative architect and
leader in the field and will lead the col-
lege strongly into the future."
Cantor said a search committee con-
ducted a lengthy international search,
which culminated in the recommenda-
tion of Kelbaugh.
"They were looking for an outstand-
ing scholar and outstanding leader and
I think we've found it,' Cantor said.
There are plans for Kelbaugh to
make several trips to Ann Arbor during
this semester to be involved in the bud-
getary process, Cantor said.
- Dailv Staff Reporter Katie Plona
contributed to this report.
Familial
Psoriasis
Volunteers
Needed
Does psoriasis run in your
family?
The University of Michigan
Department of Dermatology
is seeking volunteers to par-
ticipate in a research study
designed to identify genes
that increase the risk of pso-
riasis. Participation involves
only a one-time skin exami-
nation by a dermatologist
and the drawing of approxi-
mately one ounce of blood.
No treatment is involved.
Home visits by our staff can
be arranged for families liv-
in g within an hour of Ann
Arwor. To be eligible for this
study, at least two siblings
I'°
I
The University of Michigan
Department of Recreational Sports
INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM
I
WHAT'S
HAPPENING-
. I !r
BADMINTON
SINGLES &
DOUBLES
ENTRIES DUE:
Thurs 1/29, 4:30 PM, IMSB
ENTRY FEE:
$5 per individual
TOURNAMENT DATES:
Sat & Sun 1/31 & 2/1
NCRB
rLe
SWIMMING &
DIVING MEET
ENTRIES DUE:
Weds 2/4,4:30 PM, IMSB
ENTRY FEE:
$25 per team
$5 per individual
MANAGER'S MEETING
MANDATORY
Weds 2/4,6:00 PM, IMSB
MEET DATE:
Thurs 2/5, Canham Nat
POWERBAR
-_________________________________________I
FREE THROW
CONTEST
Don' etr'
carried
away
- - .LS
POWERBAR
ENTRIES DUE:
Fri 2/6,4:30 PM, IMSB Office
Fri 2/6,6:00 PM, IMSB Gym
ENTRY FEE:
$5 per individual
$1 per each addtional try
CONTEST DATE:
Fri 2/6
IMSB
3-POINT
SHOOTOUT
ENTRIES DUE:
Fri 2/6,4:30 PM, IMSB Office
Fri 2/6,6:00 PM, IMSB Gym
ENTRY FEE:
$5 per individual
$1 per each additonal try
SHOOTOUT DATE:
Fri 2/6
IMSB
jPW IA
E
I