Video of Programs (search and sort)

Whale Evolution
10/06/2013
Dr. Jon Peters

Presentation by Dr. Jon Peters. The preponderance of evidence detailing whale evolution from multiple fields of research makes it nearly impossible to deny that whales have evolved from a deer-like ancestor to the aquatic forms that we know today. The importance of this example is to demonstrate that macroevolution is true for whales and, by extension, true for other species also, including humans. If macroevolution is true, then all types of creationism are invalidated except theistic evolution since only the latter can accommodate macroevolution, the evolution of species across large and divergent groups of organisms. Dr. Peters has been active promoting secular humanism and rational thought in his board activity with the Center For Inquiry (Portland). In 2008 he founded Secular Humanists of East Portland, an organization which has grown to over 400 Meetup members. 

Public Health and Social Justice
09/29/2013
Dr. Martin Donohoe

Presentation by Dr. Martin Donohoe about the major forms of social injustice in the U.S. and worldwide, how these impact human and environmental health, and how citizens can bring about a more just world. The talk is based on his clinical (M.D.) and academic work (see website phsj.org) and his recently published book “Public Health and Social Justice” (phsj.org/public-health-and-social-justice-reader/).

 

 

Epigenetics
09/15/2013
Lisa Sardinia

The question of epigenetics is: Can the environment re-program your genes? If the genome is the keyboard of a piano, then the epigenome is the fingers playing those keys. Recently, it has become clear that the environment can alter these epigenetic modifications and, more surprisingly, these modifications can sometimes be inherited. In this presentation, Lisa Sardinia discusses the mechanism of epigenetic modification, as well as some newly discovered environmental effects on epigenetic modifications. Lisa Sardinia is an associate professor in the Department of Biology at Pacific University. She teaches Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Basic Science for Optometry, and Genetics for Physician Assistant students.

Iditarod Air Force
09/01/2013
Bob Elliott

Presentation by Bob Elliott about the Iditarod Air Force -- a group of pilots who support “The Iditarod Sled Dog Race,” also known as “The Last Great Race.” The race is primarily supported by air (everybody and everything is flown in/out, including dogs). The Iditarod Air Force provides most of this support with 25 to 30 volunteer pilots flying their own ski-equipped aircraft. Bob Elliott is a retired engineer who has been flying for fifty years. He has flown into unimproved locations on skis in “bush” Alaska. Bob and wife Aggie lived in Alaska for thirty years and still have a cabin there. At present they reside in Camas on a small airport.

 

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