On Friday, the FDA's Blood Products Advisory Board will consider an application for commercial use of gengineered goats that produce the anti-clotting drug ATryn in their milk. An FDA evaluation released today says that the medicine produced by the goats is effective and safe.

"It's the first time we've held an advisory committee meeting on any product from a genetically engineered animal," said FDA spokeswoman Siobhan DeLancey. If ATryn is approved, the FDA may require follow-up monitoring to make sure that patients' immune systems don't start making antibodies in reaction to the medication.

[...]

To make the drug, scientists at GTC put DNA for the human antithrombin protein into single cell embryos of goats. Goat embryos with the gene were then inserted into the wombs of surrogate mothers who gave birth to baby goats carrying the new trait.

The first of these goats were called the "founders." Their offspring also carry the gene. The females produce high levels of antithrombin in their milk, from which the protein is collected and purified.

Consumer protection groups, "public interest" groups, and other Luddite fearmongers are concerned that the modified goats will eventually breed with the general goat population, thus unleashing a biological holocaust of ZOMBIE GOATS which will one day rule the Earth.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 05:51 PM | Comments (93)
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Our vigilant watchdog, The Press:

Rowr.

That's from the Providence Phoenix, I think. I can't seem to find who tipped me. Sorry for the lack of an h/t.

Posted by: Ace at 03:38 PM | Comments (119)
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Even targeting Nice Deb? As a PUMA?

Andrew Sullivan finally about to win some kind of recognition as "most popular one-man blog on the internet" by beating Hot Air? Andrew Sullivan?

Patterico (and RWN, and JOM) beaten by... Bitch PHD?

It's a shonda. A shonda, I tell you.

Posted by: Ace at 02:55 PM | Comments (67)
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Well, every once in a while, they get one right.

Okay, technically -- well, more than technically -- HBO is not the "big screen." So, sue me.

Let me recommend a vote for BlackFive, as we're on the subject.

Posted by: Ace at 11:42 AM | Comments (54)
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A genuine request, or some sort of goof on their part?

With the financial industry, auto makers and more getting assistance from the federal government to stay afloat during the recession, the adult industry decided it would try to get something as well.

Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis and “Hustler” magazine publisher Larry Flynt have said they will petition Congress for financial aid along the lines of what the Big Three auto makers are getting.

Francis said that he and Flynt are asking for $5 billion, and that they have sent letters to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Congress and their local Congressman, Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) with the proposal.

With the $5 billion, they would "invest in building new means of distribution, and shoring up our distribution right now to prevent further erosion from factors like Youporn and other Internet content that has seriously affected our business over the past few years," Francis said in an interview with FOX Business. "We will use the money wisely, and we will create more jobs."

Francis said that if invited, he and Flynt would drive across the country in a hybrid vehicle to present their plans to Congress.

Gotta be a goof, right?

Meanwhile, as we've all been cheering the dying of the MSM, it seems we overlooked an unintended casualty. We can afford to lose a network, certainly.

But the porn industry?

This could have a "ripple effect" reverberating through the rubber sex novelty industry, the swingers' magazine industry, and even the late-night-programming-on-HBO-and-Cinemax industry.

Why, an entire region of twenty square miles of California could be devastated.

Thanks to Uncle Jefe.

Posted by: Ace at 10:55 AM | Comments (160)
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This is outrageous. This would even shame the Nigerian 419'ers.

My Friend,

In the time since the 2008 presidential campaign ended I have had a chance to reflect on many things. And as I said on election night, I truly cannot adequately express how indebted I am to you, my entire campaign team and my running mate, Governor Sarah Palin.

The road was a difficult one from the outset. Yet, your faith, your support and friendship never wavered. Just as I have proudly served my country for more than half a century I am as committed as ever to helping see our mission through.

So to continue the movement, I have decided to launch a new grassroots organization called Country First.

Today, I'm asking you as a friend and supporter to renew your commitment to our common goals by becoming a Charter Member of Country First with an online contribution.

Country First will allow us to strengthen our Party, better define our Republican ideals and message, recruit and back strong, dedicated candidates and continue our efforts to bring real reform to government by always putting our country and the noble ideals she stands for first.

Together, we can make government more responsive to today's problems and more answerable to the people. That's why I hope you will become a Charter Member of Country First and support our cause by following this link to make a generous contribution of any amount today.

With your help we can work to elect these new leaders to Governorships, Statehouses, the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in 2010 and beyond. Once in office they will become fierce advocates for limited government, economic opportunity, personal responsibility and strong national security.

On Election Night last year, I called on all Americans not to despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.

Today, I am asking you to join Country First to continue fighting for the worthy cause of revitalizing both our democracy and our Party.

Our goals will never be realized if your voice falls silent. You are the best hope for our country's success. Please stay in this fight with me; our country needs your service now as much as ever.

I know that together we can make a difference - we already have. Again, I thank you for your unwavering friendship and support.

Sincerely,

John McCain

P.S. Country First will serve as a powerful voice for the American people. It will allow us to get our Republican message out to the voters and elect a new generation of Republican leaders who can go to Statehouses and Congress to fight for all we believe in. Please join as a Charter Member of Country First by following this link to make a contribution today. Thank you.

Look, they have a professional-looking website and everything! They're just soliciting money right on the internet as if they have no fear of the authorities whatsoever!

In case the irony is too subtle, yeah, that's John McCain really asking for money for his Country First organization, looking to get out that "Republican message" we know he loves.

Look, he's not a bad man per se. But this is a bit rich. Come on, John. We'll stand with you if you'll stand with us. You don't really want to stand with us, so why the charade?

Thanks to allswell for the tip and the joke.

Posted by: Ace at 10:28 AM | Comments (144)
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The heartbeat quickens, skin flushes, fingers eagerly seek forbidden flesh, lips intermingle messily....ah, there's nothing like young love.

A young woman in southern China has partially lost her hearing after her boyfriend ruptured her eardrum during an excessively passionate kiss, local media reported.

It seems the lad was attempting to reproduce Mars' atmospheric pressure in his consort's sinuses. He would have to have created an impressively sturdy and airtight lip seal.

Essentially, he 1) fiercely latched on to this poor girl's face and 2) took a deep breath.

I don't think she should go any further with him until he reads some books or maybe takes a class first. She could end up completely inside out somehow.

Posted by: LauraW at 10:05 AM | Comments (53)
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Too good for the sidebar:

On now.

Thanks to Alice H.

Whoops. Link fixed.

Posted by: Ace at 09:24 AM | Comments (65)
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Was this a load of crap from the get-go?

Drudge quoted an "insider" as saying she was banned for life. Was that true? Seems very dangerous to make that up.

Perhaps there's a middle ground: NBC did bump her due to breaking news, not intending to ban her, but then she blew up at the slight, and some insiders decided "That's it for Coulter." And then they backpedaled.

Posted by: Ace at 08:09 AM | Comments (251)
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Go figure.

The protest organizers, asked to comment on the woman's overt call for Jewish extermination, said she was "insensitive" but refused to condemn her statement.

"She does not represent the opinions of the vast majority of people who were there," said Emmanuel Lopez, who helped plan the event, one of many sponsored nationwide on Dec. 30 by the ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism ) Coalition.

Lopez, a state coordinator for ANSWER, admitted there is a problem with anti-Semitism within his organization's ranks. But then he went on to call the supporters of Israel across the street "barbaric, racist" Zionist terrorists.

"Zionism in general is a barbaric, racist movement that really is the cause of the situation in the entire Middle East," Lopez said.

The unidentified woman, who protest organizers said was a Muslim, wasn't the only protester who raised hackles that day. Other demonstrators held signs that said "Nuke Israel," and a number made comparisons to the Holocaust, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.

"Long live Palestine!
Long live the Intifada!
Long live the Intifada!
Intifada Intifada!
Intifada Intifada!
Free free Palestine!
Free free Palestine!
Long live Palestine!
Long live Palestine!
Long live the Intifada!
Long live the Intifada!
Intifada Intifada!
Intifada Intifada!"

But I guess those people only represent a small part of those who attend ANSWER rallies.

It's nice to see Lopez admit the bleedin' obvious regarding his group and antisemitism. Would be even better, though, if he managed to actually gin up some outrage over it.

Posted by: Slublog at 07:40 AM | Comments (67)
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