Invitation to Meeting of the FSMN (Friends of the SciMedNetwork)
Please feel welcome to attend our upcoming meeting on Thursday 25 February, at 1:30 pm, Trinity-at-Waiake Methodist Church, cnr 864 Beach and Hebron Rds, Waiake.
Our meeting has two topics.
First is a demonstration of how to make DNA using the ordinary kitchen equipment you can find in a church kitchen. While we are making the DNA - it is a fascinating demonstration - we will discuss some of the current ethical issues and concerns around genetic engineering.
The presenter is lay preacher Graeme Finlay. Graeme has a PhD in cell biology. He worked with Auckland Cancer Society Research Laboratory on anticancer drug development for 20 years. He has just retired from lecturing on General Pathology in the Dept of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, Auckland. He also has an interest in theology with a BTh from the University of South Africa.
Second is a short presentation of the A1 and A2 poster prints by David Bell for the upcoming video on Herman Hesse's poem The Glass Bead Game.
You can check the prints with associated overview at the link below
A selection is being prepared for publication in the SMN journal Paradigm Explorer.
Also: a timely background read in our era of the Covid-19 pandemic, attached.
A CRACK IN CREATION
Short discussion document on genetic engineering.
It's a book review by Janine Edge, Chair of Trustees, SMN, first published in Paradigm Explorer, reproduced with permission., You can use for parish discussion groups, etc. We will use it at the upcoming FSMN meeting at Trinity-at-Waiake.
The meeting will conclude by 2:45 pm to avoid school traffic.
Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…
I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?
Do you think you know the answer?
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Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
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