Family

I am mystified by the the obstacles so-called pro-lifers, usually associated with Conservative religion,  place in the way of cell research. Many of these same breeding enthusiasts take great pride in diminishing the quality of life on the planet by producing more offspring than they can afford to provide for with absolutely no second thought. They are not really pro-life. They are simply another form of antisocial, anti-scientific control freak. 

Now that the cooing over the baby royal of Britain has died down, I think it is valuable to look at the genetics of this object of adoration. He is descended from a long line of murderous autocrats. His genetic heritage is bathed in the blood of those murdered for perceived disloyalty or simply killed as grist for the mill of political power and personal vanity in wars. His parents' choice of two names of assassinated monarchs, Nicholas and Louis, is a hint to the unconscious or conscious shamelessness of the unjustly privileged.

Humanism, as I understand it, grew from the science of the Early Renaissance. It was woven into the Reformation of the Christian religion. It was very much part of widening the portals to education for the middle class in Europe. This education contributed to the eventual overthrow of autocratic monarchs by exerting pressure on their aristocratic base, previously considered untouchable due to God-given hereditary privilege. 

In some ways, humanism is antithetical to "family values". Humanism does not support tribalism. Humanism supports equality and justice for all, regardless of hereditary legacy or hereditary wealth. So, while a royal baby does not deserve to be despised because of his nasty forebears, he also does not deserve to be adulated because of his nasty forebears. He only justly deserves the same life options as the lowest of the human species. No more, no less. 

Living in light of this humanist ideal of justice and equality is very painful at times, especially here in the developed world. However, that pain over the basic injustice of our species toward one another is not as excruciating as living with the actual injustice of poverty and ignorance day in and day out. The bleeding-heart Liberal writes a check and sighs. The token Liberal partakes in an occasional service vacation in some less privileged part of the world. This is usually as much tourism as service. The practicing humanist takes up a profession which improves the quality of human life. The practicing humanist finds a way to live well and to live responsibly. The practicing humanist does not live for making and spending money. The practicing humanist lives justice for all by serving the public equally and fostering social equality.