The spectrum of human morality has driven the development of social systems and the evolution of civilization. Although the standard for morality deviates across time and culture, there have always been those that rigorously adhere to social conventions at the expense of their own well-being, and those that have no problem defying conventions if it is to their own benefit. In prose, poetry, and religion this dynamic entanglement between saint and sadist has set the stage for the battle between good and evil, which assumes the existence of free will. Insights from neuroscience highlight the highway between two destinations in the brain that guide moral action; the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the amygdala.
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Secrets to a longer life
Have you noticed that the most important jobs tend to be the least appreciated? We rarely gave enough credit to the parents that cleaned our rooms. Nor the garbage man that picked up our trash. There are things that you don't notice until one day they stop. Your laundry is all dirty, the toys are on the floor, the garbage bags pile up outside and start to stink. Through my studies I have gained a finer appreciation for the remarkable biologic system; autophagy. The cellular equivalent of housekeepers and garbage men.
Read MoreGoing Green: Is Cannabis Addictive?
It has long been argued by cannabis advocates that cannabis should be legalized because cannabis is not an addictive substance like alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, amphetamines or opiates. Now that cannabis is legal, it’s important that this topic is addressed head-on so that recreational users can make informed decision about cannabis consumption.
Read MoreGenetically modified organisms: A misunderstood technology
Author: Carly Pontifex
What are GMOs? Are they really safe for my family to eat? Unless you have formal training in biological sciences, these are questions that might have kept you up at night. Are scientists playing God? Do they know what they’re doing? How do they know that there won’t be some terrible unintended consequences to their inscrutable science experiments? Maybe it’s our fault, the scientists, for not making it clear to you what is fact and what is fiction, and we can’t blame you. In this world of misinformation, it’s hard to know the difference between fiction and reality. Here I am, a concerned scientist, and I want to help you understand GMOs. As a disclaimer, this article was written with absolutely no conflicts of interests to report. I have never been contacted by any GMO corporation, nor have I been swayed to write this article by the agricultural industry. I just want you to know the truth.
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