Political leader, Nirvan Maharaj, said at the launch on Saturday at the Rienzi Complex in Couva, that there was no fundamental difference between the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) administration and the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) because both parties are controlled by an “interlocking directorate of PNM and UNC financiers.” The NSA will be contesting five districts in the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation; two districts in the Couva/ Tabaquite/ Talparo Regional Corporation ([CTTRC), and one district in the Mayaro/ Rio Claro Regional Corporation and the Princes Town Regional Corporation respectively.

Addressing members of the party, Maharaj acknowledged that while the journey into electoral politics would be “long, hard and daunting at times”, change in the political landscape was necessary to preserve the country for future generations. He said, “We are starting with local elections because local elections are about people not party; it is about direct contact, it is about the issues that affect people on a daily basis.” Maharaj said that there had not been any reform in the local government system despite the submission of such reports, such as the Hazel Manning report, the Rambachan report and lately, the Franklin Khan report.

He said, “We will be contesting nine electoral districts and though I know we have a lot of support on our home-ground.

As a result of our battles to ensure that every single ex-Caroni worker got what was due to them, we are going to challenge the PNM and the UNC where they are strongest, and, where they are equal we are going to show them we are not afraid, that we are the alternative, and, as small as we are and as limited as our resources are, we will not be bullied by either of them.” Maharaj said the population had to ask both the PNM and the UNC how a land, filled with natural resources and human resources, became entangled in a web of crime, corruption, high food prices, “a restraint on wages increases” and failing health and education sectors. The NSA’s political leader said, “We are a nation on the brink, quickly becoming surrounded by the aura of a failed state, and, all these are issues emphasising the practical manifestation of then governance crisis facing our society.” Nine candidates were presented to the membership.

Facing 2013 champions Dream Team in semifinal one on Saturday, Boys Town turned up two players short to start the game and eventually found themselves in a 0-2 hole. But when reinforcements arrived, Boys Town quickly found their swagger and knotted the scores with a goal on either side of the half.

And with extra time needed to separate the teams, Dream Team, who were the better side in that period inexplicably scored an own goal with their captain Shaquille Edwards heading the ball into his own net to hand their rivals the win 3-2.

Boys Town will face Take That and Cool It in the final on November 19 after ‘Cool It’ dispatched last year’s winners G Madrid 5-4 on kicks from the penalty spot in a nerve-wrecking semifinal two yesterday.A double from G Madrid’s Maurice Billy was cancelled by an own goal and one from Irvin Reyes.

In the penalty shootout, both teams were inseparable after five kicks (4-4) but in sudden death, G Madrid missed their kick and Ryan Baptiste stepped for his team to bang home his effort and book their place in the final.

Starting the game with just seven men on Saturday, Boys Town found themselves trailing after Patrick Parris fired Dream Team in front. Despite finally having their full complement of players on the field, it was soon 0-2 as a throw in from the left found Boys Town’s defence napping. Parris ghosted in at the near post to flick the ball into the net with one touch to stun the Boys Town team and their supporters.

But almost immediately, Boys Town cut the deficit through Isaiah Smith following a mixup between left-back Durrell Navarro and goalie Sheldon Charles. A long ball caused a bit of confusion between the defender and his ‘keeper and Smith muscled his way between them to steal the ball and tap into the vacant net.

Smith had the chance to make it 2-2 after a right-sided cross was chested to him by Aeion Charles on top the box but the forward’s right-footer flashed wide of the left post.

Charles was combining well with his teammates and created chances that went in vain but should have been a bit selfish when bearing down on goal on the left but looked to pass to Smith when a shot would have been the better option as the half ended with them trailing by one goal.

Dream Team were on the ropes but were inches away from another goal through the sheer brilliance of Carlon Nicholas.

A goal kick was taken down on the left by Nicholas and after driving inside, he unleashed a ferocious strike that pinged off the bar with Kenton Thompson in the Boys Town Town goal well beaten.

But with pressure mounting, Boys Town got a deserved equaliser from a set play. A free-kick from the left was taken by Kelon Boatswain and the defender, instead of crossing into the box, curled the ball into the top left of the goal to make it 2-2 at the end of regulation time.

Dream Team, seeing their season slipping away, came out stronger in extra time, pegging Boys Town back but unable to carve out any real chances. And with penalty kicks looming in the second half of extra time, a seemingly harmless right-sided cross caused panic in the Boys Town defence and Edwards, unaware of his surroundings, headed the ball into his own net.

A desperate Dream Team had one last chance to draw level but Jameel Sempel’s cheeky free-kick curled over the wall but rebounded off the bar as time elapsed.

Following an hourlong mix and mingle period where the selected men and women team had the opportunity to interact with friends, families and sponsors, Master of Ceremony Karl Muckette led the proceedings for the event where both the men and women national teams representing Trinidad and Tobago were introduced, followed by speeches from TTR FU treasurer Curtis Nero and TTR FU president Leslie Figaro.

This event served a dual purpose as a player introduction and a media launch to bring awareness to not only to this international event but the sport of rugby as well. The RAN Sevens Tournament will be held this weekend at St Mary’s College Grounds, St. Clair.

During this event, 24 teams (14 male/ 10 female) will compete over 68 matches for the opportunity to be crowned Men and Women Cup Champions.

The media launch concluded with the floor being open to any supporters willing to leave the team with some final motivating words and prayers heading into the tournament. With not just the opportunity to be called 2016 Cup Champions but also a bid to the Hong Kong 2017 Sevens tournament on the line, both teams have all intentions to win and are urging the public to come out and give them the support.

TT men are in Pool B which includes Mexico and St Vincent and the Grenadines. The national women are in Pool B alongside Mexico, Guyana, Bahamas and Dominican Republic.

National RAN 7s Men’s team: Joseph Quashie (Captain), Leon Panthor, Keston Earle, Shakeel Dyte, James Phillip, Christopher Hudson, Kieshon Walker, Joshua Seechan, Johnason Alleyne, Anderson Joseph, Jordan Turton, Stefan Cooksammy, Akeem Leben (Reserve), Wayne Kelly (Reserve), Nigel Ballington (Reserve).

National RAN 7s Women’s team: Alesha Bruce (Captain), Onica George, Akelar George, Nicole Panthor, Dalia Jordan- Brown, Kanisha Vincent, Blossom Stewart, Apphia Glasgow, Kathleen Stephen, Maria Thomas, Latifah Carliste, Sara Griffith, Aqiyla O’Brian (Reserve), Ornella George (Reserve).

Men’s Pool A – Canada, Bermuda, BVI.

Men’s Pool B – Mexico, TT , St Vincent and Grenadines.

Men’s Pool C – Cayman Islands, Barbados, Curacao, Dominican Republic.

Men’s Pool D – Guyana, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, Martinique.

Women’s Pool A – Canada, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos.

Women’s Pool B – Mexico, TT , Guyana, Bahamas, Dominican Republic

The award ceremony focused on the growth of the federation along with understanding its potential and nurturing the athletes for future development.

Addressing the audience at the ceremony, TT CF president Robert Farrier stressed the importance of communication and feedback for strategic methods moving forward.

“At the launch of the (Junior Pan Am Championships) in August…I spoke about the cycling fraternity creeping, walking and running.

Today we are currently in the walking phase but we are not only focused on advancing to the running phase but to fly and carry the sport to achieve greater things (both locally and internationally),” expressed Farrier.

He further discussed some of the recent achievements of the TT CF such as the launch of their website, utilisation of social media platforms, hosting major cycling events for the first time in the western hemisphere and local athletes being able to gain UCI (International Cycling Union) points while competing at home.

Farrier encouraged stakeholders and corporate Trinidad to continue supporting and investing in the business of sport.

Advice was also given to awardees and nominees on how to deal with the public and media.

They were warned not to let criticism affect them negatively but to always make sense of the positive points to work harder and remain focused on the main purpose.

List of awards for 2015

Under 7 girls – Shameka Hoyte

Under 7 boys- Giovani Granado

Under 9 girls- Kyra Williams

Under 9 boys- Jovon Ramproop

Under 11 girls- Alexia Wilson

Under 11 boys- Jesse Hender

Under 13 girls- Sylese Christian

Under 13 boys- Ryan D’Abreau

Tinymites Women- Ashley Whiteman

Tinymites Men- D’Angelo Harris

Juvenile Women- Chenelle Walcott

Juvenile Men- Tyler Cole

Masters 70+ – Ronald Peters

Masters 65-69 – Peter Hernandez

Masters 60-64 – Cyril Hernandez

Masters 55-59 – Martin Wharwood

Masters 50-54 – Rodney Woods

Masters 45-49 – Rudy Bravo

Masters 40-44 – Roger Malco

MTB – Junior Men – Peter Sellier

MTB – Elite Women – Candice Chin Fatt

MTB – Elite Men – Jason Costelloe

Junior Women – Kollyn St Gorge

Junior Men – Ramon Belmontes

Elite Women – Jodi Goodridge

Most Outstanding International Cyclist – Njisane Phillip

Coach of the Year 2015 – Anthony Sellier

Club of the Year 2015 – Rigtech Sonics

President’s Cup 2015 – Akil Campbell

List of awards for 2016

Under 7 girls – Renee Fortune

Under 7 boys- Jahziel Gordon

Under 9 girls- Maia Seyjagat

Under 9 boys- Jaquan Elbourne

Under 11 girls- Kyra Williams

Under 11 boys- Tyrese McMillian

Under 13 girls- Alexia Wilson

Under 13 boys- Ryan Maharaj

Tinymites Women- Makayla Hernandez

Tinymites Men- D’Angelo Harris

Juvenile Women- Adriana Seyjagat

Juvenile Men- Jabari Whiteman

Masters 70+ – Joey Nunes

Masters 65-69 – Peter Hernandez

Masters 60-64 – Cyril Fook

Masters 55-59 – Gregory D’Andrade

Masters 50-54 – Rodney Woods

Masters 45-49 – Marlo Joseph

Masters 40-44 – Roger Malco

MTB – Junior Men – Peter Sellier

MTB – Elite Women – Candice Chin Fatt

MTB – Elite Men – Ryan Chin

Junior Women – Jhordan St Gorge

Junior Men – Nicholas Paul

Elite Women – Teniel Campbell

Most Outstanding International Cyclist – Njisane Phillip

Coach of the Year 2016 – Anthony Sellier

Club of the Year 2016 – Breakaway Cycle Club

President’s Cup 2016 – Gevan Samuel

All proceeds go to the rebuilding of the scout house of the 1st Presentation College Sea Scouts which was demolished to accommodate the San Fernando Water Taxi Terminal.

Ali, 19-years-old, was in excellent form yesterday, crossing the finish line first in a cool 14 minutes and 30 seconds. Trailing by just four seconds was Adrian Paul while Kevon Dyer (14.46) was third.

Regis, 53, beat the women’s field easily with a time of 18 minutes and 28 seconds. She was followed by Candice Bekaroo (18.50) and Zinara Lesley (18.55).

Hart will conduct a light session in the morning period and will step up the pace in the evening from 6pm.

The TT coach, however, will not have his full complement of players with US-based duo Aubrey David and Joevin Jones scheduled to arrive in Port of Spain later today while Frenchbased midfielder John Bostock is expected tomorrow as his club RC Lens will face Ajaccio in a league fixture this evening.

“We are aware of the situations with a couple of the players.

It is a situation which we cannot avoid but the majority of the squad will be here and we will get things rolling on Monday.

“As always, it will be an important period for us with all energies being focused on being ready for Friday’s match,” Hart told TT FA Media.

US-based midfielder Kevan George says he is fully focused on the task at hand and is eyeing three point to get the Road to Russia campaign going.

George is on a high, after being named “Most Valuable Player ” last week by his club Jacksonville Armada FC in the North American Soccer League.

“At this point I am very hungry and determined to for these two World Cup Qualifying games.

“I’m in the zone now, focused and locked in for whatever role I have to play to get us maximum points from our opening games in the hex,” George told TT FA Media.

“From the moment I get the call, in the back of my mind I start envisioning camp, mainly the type of training sessions and opponents we will face.

Then I write down what I pray to accomplish for the upcoming camp.

“Every camp has a different mission. I’m typically disciplined in the way I eat but I eat even more greens and less meat to give me as much energy as possible.” On the threat of Costa Rica, George already has some knowledge of their rivals.

“Costa Rica has several big threats that we respect such as Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz, just to name a couple. They have talented individuals and are very smart at finding spaces,” George said.

He urged his teammates to not be sluggish at the opening whistle as it is imperative they begin this final stage with a positive result.

“The start is the most important part for us because we want to put ourselves in a position to qualify early.

“In the Gold Cup we started off our first game of the tournament extremely fast and we rode that wave to the quarter- finals unfortunately bowing out on penalty kicks.

“Even though there are better opponents in these World Cup qualifiers, I think if we can emulate that start we had in the last Gold Cup we can make the dream a reality,” he added.

He noted, though, that they need to take it one game at a time despite having their sights on Russia 2018.

“It is key that we don’t get ahead of ourselves and start counting games and points. We need to expand all of our energies on Costa Rica and worry about Honduras when that time comes.

“We have a pretty balanced squad so whoever is on the field for both games, we are confident that they can do the job so no one will have to conserve energy for the next game.

In its second year the “Reading with the NGC Bocas Lit Fest” has brought that “power of the consciousness of literature to communities such as Princes Town, Charlotteville, Tobago, Scarborough, Tobago, Mayaro, Point Fortin, Sangre Grande and Arima. It is the festival’s hope that this translates into the discovery of home-grown writing talent across TT.

According to the festival’s business and hospitality manager, Marielle Forbes, “The reading with the NGC Bocas Lit Fest Programme got started because after a few of the Port-of-Spain festivals we realised that we weren’t engaging certain communities that were far away from the outskirts of PoS. In order to dispel this kind of thinking that reading cannot be for enjoyment, we are putting the idea out the window that you just read for academics and things like that.

“We wanted to engage these communities outside of PoS that we weren’t getting at the festival, in order to encourage critical reading.

“In order to encourage awareness of Caribbean authors, in order to encourage awareness of the festival and what it brings to TT and how other members of the community can benefit from it.

“We thought a good way to springboard that or start that was to build on existing bookclubs in specific communities. We targeted eight communities across TT. We partnered with Nalis and contacted the libraries.

“We felt that was the best way to start, with those who were already visiting the libraries and who had an interest in reading for leisure and other things besides academic.

That is how it got started. We used their database and we also built on their existing clubs and added new members.” Since its inception the clubs have discussed two books, the first being local author Barbara Jenkins’ Sic Transit Wagon and this year the groups are discussing Rhoda Bharath’s the Ten Days Executive.

With groups composed of people from as young as 18 to 82 and whose average size ranges from five in smaller communities to eight in larger ones, there has been tremendous growth since it began last year, Forbes said.

She noted, “I realise in going to the clubs now that the people are getting stronger, the people are asking more critical questions. They are realising certain things in the language, they are asking different questions outside of the norm, or what they would have typically asked in the beginning.

We realise they are strengthening some skills they might have had and gaining some skills.” It is also the festival’s intent to begin a writing workshop for the budding writers within the community, although funding remains an issue. “Out of these clubs, at least two members of every one of the book clubs have expressed an interest in writing. Some of them have already written stories that they have in their closet. One of the things that we hope would come out of this project or initiative is that we would start a series of writing workshops in these communities for people who have expressed an interest in writing. Once we get a few phases of the club rolling out and as we get more clubs.” The participants also learn more about the art of writing through the visits done to the clubs by the authors, where participants get the chance to engage with the author.

Forbes recalled one participant was changed by the workshop.

She said, “That question reminded me of one lady in Charlotteville; a housewife because she is a cook and takes part in all of these different festivals and stuff, Shauna. I remember we did one visit with them and by the time we came back for the second visit and she said you know what I realise I really was talking a lot of nonsense with my friends when we got together to talk. Now, basically, she said now they bore me. It is not like she said ‘now I am here and you’re there’. But she said now that she is been reading, she said, she realised she was just wasting time gossiping with these women and ‘now those things don’t interest me’. Now I just sit with my books and I read.” Everything the festival does aims to develop the skill and art of literature. Funso Aiyejina, the festival’s deputy director said, “You also have to understand that the book club is just a block in a complex organisation.

Everything we do as Bocas is designed to develop that tradition of reading. Our children’s programme encourages children to read and to write. Our adult programme brings writers from all over the world and we expose them to the community and they develop an interest in reading or continuing to read. Our spoken word programme encourages the role of oral literature so the book club is another part of the whole labyrinth of things we have put together in order to develop that consciousness of the power of literature.” And with a month of activity ongoing, Aiyejina said the question as to the viability of Caribbean literature as been answered time and time again by top awards such as Man Booker Prize, Commonwealth and the Forward Prize among others. The Caribbean’s varied historical intermingling has given it a voice that speaks to almost all people across the globe.

“When you look at the international successes of Caribbean literature, nobody can be in doubt as to the viability of Caribbean content in global literature.

We also have to understand that the Caribbean is the most cosmopolitan region of the world and when the Caribbean speaks it is speaking for the world.

“There is hardly any aspect of world civilisation that is not represented in the Caribbean.

Whether you’re talking Europe, Africa, Asia, whatever, we have writers here who can capture that essence and therefore our writers are always speaking to the world even when their primary message is for us and that is the way it should be. It always goes beyond the Caribbean to the world.

We have a lot to teach the world as Caribbean citizens,” Aiyejina said.

Author Colm Toibin hailed this novel as “a panorama of breathtaking emotional force, a masterpiece of pacing, of dedicated storytelling with characters whose lives are etched with extraordinary, vivid detail about the shapes and shadows that surround love and memory…” Nicole Kraus, author of the The History of Love wrote, “Very rarely you open a book and when you close it again nothing can ever be the same.” The accolades are endless for the novel published in 2010.

To the End of the Land is the story of Ora, a middle-aged mother recently estranged from her husband Ilan. Ora looks forward to spending a week’s vacation with her son Ofer, who has just finished serving his tour of duty in the Israeli army. Much to Ora’s horror, Ofer bails out of their vacation and re-enlists in the Israeli army when the government announces a new offensive. Unable to face the possibility of Ofer’s death, Ora decides to embark on the journey they had planned together because she feels if she’s not home, no one can deliver any bad news to her.

On the surface, To the End of the Land appears to be the story of how we cope with war, but in many ways, Ora’s story is an allegory for the agonising realisation that all mothers have when they realise they can’t keep their children safe.

Ora is a complex character – the kind of person who requires readers to examine both sides of the coin. Is her decision to embark on the journey that she planned with her son, a sign of fear or is it a sign of independence? And why does she embark on this journey with the family friend Avram, who served in the army with her former husband? Does this show her need to rewrite the past? While Grossman’s novel is exquisitely written with fine detail and rich descriptions, it is an undeniably challenging read mostly because of Grossman’s ability to create various tones and styles that capture Ora’s feelings. Grossman rarely tells the reader what to think. Instead he weaves a literary tapestry of emotions around Ora.

The story begins with a flashback from 1967 when Ora has been quarantined for what she describes as the plague. Here, the important people of her life – including Avram and her deceased childhood friend Ada penetrate her dreams and nightmares. This becomes a brilliant way of dealing with Ora’s past while Grossman gives Ora a sense of presence.

Each page of this novel presents a scene from Ora’s life that transports the reader to Israel and the conflict between Israel and the Arab world. Ora’s special relationship with Sami, her Arab driver, shows the complicated relationship between Arabs and Jews that cannot simply be reduced to enemies at war.

It doesn’t take long for readers to wonder how will Ora will fare in this book. Can she avoid bad news? Will Ofer come home? Likewise, it doesn’t take long to realise that this is a book to reread for the exquisite language alone.

Sometimes it is good to read a book that challenges readers to analyse a story on a whole new level. To the End of the Land is one of those novels.

Claxton is manager of the centre which is a vocational training centre offering services to people with intellectual disabilities. It has been in operation for 43 years.

IGT (formerly GTECH) donated four new touch-screen computers, eight tablets and one smart television to the computer room as part of the company’s signature philanthropic programme – the After School Advantage Programme.

“I would like to thank IGT for partnering with the Memisa Centre through the After School Advantage Programme for Internet- ready computers,” said Claxton in a media release. “The benefits of having information technology for the students are an inclusive, social and captivating way for the students to learn.” Claxton explained, “With the social aspect, the children feel like they are playing, so small group collaboration occurs naturally.

For the children who don’t normally mix, they would be curious about the computers and find learning accessible and fun regardless of their learning style.” A non-governmental organisation (NGO) located in the Heights of Guanapo, Arima, the Memisa Centre’s primary objective is to provide an environment where learning and caring takes place and to encourage the students to reach their full potential.

“The IGT team is delighted to partner with the Memisa Centre, an organisation that has for so many years provided dedicated care to people with special needs,” said Ann-Dawn Young Sang, IGT’s regional vice president for the Caribbean. “Much like the Memisa Centre, IGT believes that everyone should have the opportunity to realise their full potential regardless of mental or physical disability. Our hope is that this donation will help in providing the skills and confidence trainees need to excel as employees in a technology-driven job market.” There are three components to the Centre – A residential care unit, a Vocational/ job training and placement unit and a special education unit/ school. Trainees at the vocational/job training and placement unit will benefit from learning on new state-of-the-art equipment.

The school empowers the students to conquer their disabilities, and teaching at the centre is based on the intellectual ability of each student. Students are also instructed in life skills such as home economics, agriculture, craft and performing arts. The special training in garment construction, art and craft, aquaculture and grounds maintenance help prepare them for employment.

The computer lab will also be open for use to members of the community and the residents at the centre.

Good and evil, goodness, morals, virtues have always been at the fore of human consciousness. Politicians, clerics, and philosophers have presented their own versions of good governance and righteousness.

International law and public policy have advanced human rights and justice amid oppression and exploitation. As we wrestle with presenting a normative standard for bioethical issues we are faced with the reality that for all our efforts, we fall short.

Opinions and convictions differ.

Lines are drawn, communications break down and we are left with a disturbing divergence.

Migration, cultural pluralism and globalisation have posed major challenges to uniformity within bioethics.

In fact, even the abhorrent act of murder can be contoured and redefined depending on situations. Bioethics becomes more blurred and ambivalent in matters of healthcare.

And the re-emergence of Nietzschean philosophies has discounted God as the overriding adjudicator of morality.

Which God? What scripture? By whose religious standards is Truth determined? There is no single response in this illogical, discursive and circuitous discourse.

What is certain is that truth, backed by religious dogma has led to the perpetration of the most heinous acts – violations of the very ethics and morals it set out promote. With swords and guns, the western world has superimposed its brand of ethics on others whom were guided by their own moral compass.

Post-modernism challenges us to revisit the moral dogma of Kantian “categorical imperative”.

We must also question utilitarianism and its violation of individual rights.

In an effort to reconstruct a bioethical framework that reflects the dynamism of today’s society, Unesco, in 2003 considered it an opportune time to set universal standards in the field of bioethics with due regard for human dignity and human rights and freedoms, in the spirit of cultural pluralism inherent in bioethics.” (32 C/ Res. 24) But has it adequately respond to the myriad of needs of states, institutions, and individuals, especially in the area of health care? Global Bioethics: The Collapse of Consensus, edited by Tristram Engelhardt seeks solutions to this unnerving disquiet.

This profoundly scholastic work appeals to academicians and policy makers in this growing and highly contentious field. Philosophy, international law, culture and anthropology and contemporary sociology find their way into an array of complex arguments presented on the applicability of universal bioethics.

Many ethicists, including Engelhardt, have denounced the centralisation and role of government in bioethics.

They question the universal applicability of any piece of legislature that regulates open-ended concerns that bear historical, cultural, and metaphysical implications.

Rather, they accept a market place of ideas that promote the common good while ensuring the protection of individual choices and rights.

Under the rubric of bioethical controversy, Engelhardt cites some examples related to health care.

“Bioethics,” he says, “has failed to produce a generally accepted account of appropriate deportment…On the one hand abortionists and physicians assisting suicide are characterised as murderers or assisters in self-murder.

“On the other hand, such physicians are characterised as liberators from unjust, enforced pregnancy and terminal suffering.” He continues, “Those who impose all-encompassing, single payment, egalitarian health care systems such as exists in Canada are characterised as violators of basic human freedoms and market rights.

On the hand, those who support access to different levels of basic health care are characterised as violating basic rights to equality.” According to Engelhardt, “as important as the disagreements, if not more important, is an understanding of the possible conditions for peaceable collaboration in the face of substantive moral disagreement.” He concludes, “Political space must be made not just for a diversity of communities within particular states, but for the emergence of worldwide networks of non-geographically based communities with their own particular understanding of moral probity, including bioethics, health care policy, and law.

Given the pluralism of morals we begin to understand the enigmatic nature of bioethics and biolaw. Does God exist? Is homosexuality a sin? Is cloning a challenge to God’s sovereignty? Should states approve euthanasia? And what about abortion, is it murder? And on what grounds do you base your answer? The problem is, there is no single universally uniformed response.

And reason, long used to justify decisions and beliefs is not a universal constant.

In fact, Stephen A Erickson’s foreword well sums up the thematic thrust of this work.

He writes: “Part of the problem we face going forward is surely bound up with the unravelling of the self-sustaining integrity of reason itself.” He goes further: “We might say that reason has undergone its own self-deconstruction, thereby losing purchase on any claim it had to universality in anymore than the most abstract and content – bereft sense.” He goes on to say that reason “draws from human desires and purposes in order to achieve operational content.” Global Bioethics struggles with the competing interests of traditions and modernity; and between institutions and the rights of individuals. Is there really a path to consensus? Engelhardt and company think not.

Feedback: glenvilleashby@ gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@ glenvilleashby