May 4, 2004 Program

Our speaker today was Dr. Arri Eisen, Professor of Biology at Emory University. During his presentation on Stem Cells, Genes and Cloning, Dr. Eisen noted the following points:

  1. Every human body is composed of three trillion cells even though many of them are lost daily. Every cell contains the same number of genes, each of which contains the same information.
  2. Genes are like a blueprint that helps to make and shape human life along with the cooperation of other genes and the environment.
  3. Stem cells are those which are not yet committed to their special functions which are defined later by their environment.
  4. The human genome project is an international effort to study, map and sequence human DNA which is housed in the nucleus of a cell and carries the instruction for making living things from one generation to another.
  5. Gene therapy is the application of genetic engineering which entails human manipulation of the genetic code to effect biological improvement such as replacing a bad gene with a good one.
  6. Cloning is the technique of producing two or more identical organisms from the same blueprint. It is to be noted, however, that even among identical creations there is a uniqueness in each creature.

Visitors

We were delighted to have visiting with us this morning Brian Martin (President Lantz) and Downtown Atlanta interclubbers Laura McCarthy, Bob Wiggins, Mike Devine, Jack McFarland, and Mike Skrynecki.

Future Speaker

May11th   Stem Cells, Genes and Clonings: Ethical Considerations

Recognition

President Lantz commended Sandy for having a successful interclub with Downtown Atlanta and Sherry for having a very informative Rising Leaders' session that was attended by twenty students and seven Kiwanians. It was noted also that one of the founders of Ms. Georgia Nursing Home Pageant was Emory Mulling, one of our members, and that Jerry has been a Judge for the occasion for several years. Morehouse College Circle K Club for recruiting twenty-five members which makes them eligible for full membership.

Pin Violations

Our Compassionate Mel was the proud recipient of blessings from Jan and Kit.

Kiwanis Education

Only current officers and directors of the club can be counted in determining a quorum at a board of directors meeting.

President Lantz's Quote

"Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing."
-- Thomas Jefferson

Announcements

  1. BOARD MEETING AT 7:30 A.M. ON FRIDAY, May 7th.
  2. Angie and Jerry need our help with Mrs. Nursing Home Pageant at the Airport Renaissance Hotel at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 8th.
  3. Sherry states that the Rising Leaders' luncheon will be held in Alumni Hall at Georgia State University on May 11th. Guest speaker will be Ms. Alexa Scott, Publisher and Editor of The Atlanta Daily World.
  4. Immediate Past President Kit invites us to attend the Spring Concert of the Decatur Civic Chorus which will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 16th, at First Baptist Church of Decatur (308 Clairmont Avenue).
  5. Let's sign up now with Chuck Palmer for our Annual Baseball Game, the Braves vs. Philadelphia, on June 3rd.
  6. Kiwanis International Convention will take place in St. Louis, June 25 - 29, 2004.
  7. Our Georgia District Convention will take place at Jekyll Island August 6 - 8, 2004.
  8. George and Dusty call attention to our Fall Kiwanis Travel to a 16-day trip to India on October 5th and an 8 day trip to St. Petersburgh (Russia) on October 10th.


Back to the Newsletter Archive