Our Takes Daily

Hopes fade for missing Brazilian priest

The Associated Press

Brazil's air force has suspended its search for a Catholic priest who vanished after sailing into the air under a cluster of colorful balloons. The cleric's family chartered a private plane to continue the hunt. According to a member of his parish, Father Adelir Antonio de Carli hoped his flight would help raise money for a center where truck drivers could stop "to rest and receive the Gospel." More info here>>

Texas board votes down creationist degree

The Houston Chronicle

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has denied a request by a Bible-based school and research institute to offer a master's degree in science education. The issue was whether the Institute for Creation Research, whose leaders believe in creationism, or that the world was literally created as recounted in the Bible, could adequately prepare its graduates to teach science in middle schools and high schools. Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes had found — and board members agreed — that it could not. More info here>>

Measure ensures genetic privacy

The Baltimore Sun

The U.S. Senate voted on a measureThursday that could ease concerns of Americans that genetic information could be used against them in employment or insurance decisions. The measure would become the first federal law dealing with the growing role of genetics in the prediction, diagnosis and individualized treatment of disease. It still must be passed by the House and signed into law by President Bush. Many patients who could benefit have refused genetic testing out of fear of discrimination, experts say. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act would prevent health insurers from using genetic information to deny coverage or raise rates. It would also bar employers from using genetic information in hiring, firing or placement of workers. Neither insurers nor employers could require genetic testing. More info here>>

Today’s Podcast

This episode of “On The U” talks about how Catholic college students are documenting their lives on campus these days. More info here>>