The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe The Skeptics Guide #1067 - Dec 20 2025
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Dec 20, 2025 Discover how animals are adapting to human environments, from bears to coyotes. Dive into the intriguing ethics of pig organ transplants and what they mean for xenotransplantation. Learn about Japan's ambitious solar power project aimed at beaming energy from space. Explore the quirky concept of ant 'yogurt' and its fermentation science roots. Finally, uncover the mystery surrounding Rudolf Diesel's disappearance and engage in a fun astronomy quiz to spot the fiction among intriguing facts.
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Ethics Lag Behind Xenotransplant Progress
- Xenotransplantation progress contrasts with ethical bans on growing human organs in animals.
- Policy focuses on species membership and slippery‑slope fears rather than practical scientific distinctions.
Policy Driven By Human Exceptionalism
- Regulators worry about human cells in animals altering cognition, though migration of cells to brain is unlikely.
- The policy reflects human exceptionalism rather than consistent concern about cognitive capacities across species.
Be Realistic About Space Solar Costs
- View space‑based solar as a long‑term R&D challenge, not a near‑term replacement for ground solar.
- Focus on reducing launch and in‑space assembly costs before scaling gigawatt systems.
