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USAID Programs Used Biblical Lessons To Teach Abstinence In Africa, Audit Finds
The U.S. Agency for International Development funded programs that used biblical lessons to promote sexual abstinence in Africa, despite a prohibition on the use of taxpayer funds to support "inherently religious activities," according to a recent audit by the agency"s inspector general, the Washington Post reports.The audit focused on projects initiated from 2006 to 2007 during the administration of President George W. Bush. According to the audit, the use of Christian stories in HIV/AIDS prevention programs in Africa could be seen as showing a "USAID-funded preference for Christianity." The audit also found that officials in one faith-based abstinence program in Africa urged youth to memorize and recite a passage from the Bible"s book of Psalms. Participants were then instructed to recite the passage"s "key concept": "God has a plan for sex and this plan will help you and protect you from harm."USAID challenged the findings in a written response that said its African programs" main goals are secular in nature. It acknowledged that some of its abstinence programs included "religiously infused materials" but said that the materials showed no preference for Christian groups.According to the Post, the issue has been complicated by legal ambiguities over whether the separation of church and state applies to programs for promoting U.S. foreign policy abroad. The inspector general"s report said the Department of Justice is considering a request from USAID to determine the legality of its practices (Lynch, Washington Post, 7/23).
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Precursors To Corneal Transplant Failure; Patients Who Skip Glaucoma Treatment; Antibiotic-resistant Bugs And LASIK
The June issue of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, includes new insights on why some corneal transplants fail, why some patients skip their glaucoma medications, and why preventing infections after LASIK is a growing concern.
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Scientists Discover How Thalidomide Causes Limb Defects
Scientists have uncovered how and why limbs are targeted by thalidomide - the drug that caused serious defects in babies whose mothers had taken it to relieve their morning sickness.
Endocrinology

MS Society Pleased With Government Recognition Of Crisis In Social Care

The government"s Green Paper "Shaping the Future of Care Together" has been welcomed by the MS Society as the radical step necessary to address the crisis in social care. Announced on Tuesday, the bold proposals set out a vision for a care system as important as the NHS, billed as the "National Care Service", which could potentially bring an end to the postcode lottery in care and improve its quality. The Green Paper presents proposals for the long term funding of better care for the growing number of older people, and people with long-term conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Dan Berry, MS Society Head of Policy and Campaigns, said: "This is a bold set of proposals for care reform. People with MS were hoping for a clear and ambitious vision from the Government and that is what these proposals represent. "A lot of the detail is missing, however, and it is likely to be years before these proposals become a reality, while people with MS continue to fight for access to adequate social care now. "Over the next few months, and up to the next general election, I hope the government uses the opportunity to have a frank discussion with those people who need care now and those who may do in the future, on how to bring about the res needed in a way that"s fair to all." MS Society


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