The Genetics and Health Interview

Today, the Genetics Interview at the Genetics and Health blog is with yours truly.  I am very excited!  I want to thank Dr. Lei for taking a chance and giving me a forum to present Catholic view point.

So if you are new to Mary Meets Dolly, then welcome!  To celebrate my interview at the G & H blog, I have decided to do the full disclosure meme and join the Genetics and Health Honor Roll to give you more insight into this blog.  So here goes:

1. Who runs this site?

I do.  My name is Rebecca Taylor.  I am a certified specialist in Molecular Biology and a practicing Catholic. 

2. Who pays for the site?

I do.  No ads or endorsements here.

3. What is the purpose of the site?

This blog and the Mary Meets Dolly website marry my two passions, genetics/biotechnology and my faith, in an attempt to better educate Catholics and other Christians about developments in science and technology.

So you ask why “Mary Meets Dolly”?  Dolly the sheep was the first mammal cloned from adult tissue (specifically, from a mammary cell of a grown ewe).  Before Dolly, cloning an adult organism was thought to be impossible.  With her birth came all the possibilities and ethical implications of cloning humans.  Mary Meets Dolly is, literally, the meeting of the world of genetics and genetic engineering, represented by Dolly, “mother” of modern biotechnology, and the teachings of the Catholic Church on the sanctity of life, represented by Mary, mother of Christ and the Church.

4. Where does the information come from?

From various sources.  I find information through Google and Yahoo.  I read a lot of books on the science and ethics surrounding stem cells, cloning, genetics and biotechnology.  I look into Church teachings and read Catholic and non-Catholic ethicists.  I do get some material from other bloggers.

I prefer sources like books and websites that have an opposing view point from that of the Catholic Church.  I think it is important to read and understand what scientists, politicians, and advocacy groups are actually saying, not what someone else says they are saying.  In other words, I like to get my information from the horse's mouth.

5. What is the basis of the information?

I almost always provide a link to the original material so my readers can read the source and find out more information.  Also, I try to make a clear distinction between what is official Church teaching and what is my opinion or the opinion of another person.

6. How is the information selected?

I look for information that will help the average Catholic understand the maze of biotechology and the ethical implications of current advancements.

I choose what interests me and I think will interest my readers.

7. How current is the information?

As current as I can get it, which is no small feat in this ever changing field!

8. How does the site choose links to other sites?

I choose all of the links personally.  Most of the links from this blog and from MaryMeetsDolly.com are chosen for their resources in different areas of biotechnology and bioethics.  Many are not Catholic or pro-life but provide valuable information in these areas.  Some of my links are just plain fun!

9. What information about you does the site collect, and why?

I collect no information other than what you leave in any comment.  I keep any e-mails that are sent to me directly (rhtaylor [at] marymeetsdolly.com), but I do not share those addresses with anyone.

10. How does the site manage interactions with visitors?

I love comments, so if you feel so inclined, please let me know what you think.  I am happy to debate a reasoned argument.  I do not, however, tolerate ad hominem attacks on myself or any other reader or any inappropriate language or inflammatory statements.  Such comments will be deleted.