Ah, Practicality

The President's Council on Bioethics was asked to disband last week. The group had been formed by former President Bush in November 2001 and, according to the New York Times, "it was designed by the Bush administration to be 'a philosophically leaning advisory group' that favored discussion over developing a shared consensus," quoting White House press officer Reid Cherlin. President Obama will reconstitute the council with a focus on "practical policy options," Cherlin says. Science Progress adds that "the President is reviewing options for a new council with a revised, policy-focused mandate, but there is currently no public word on a timeframe."