Science and Politics

Science and politics are sometimes related in surprising ways. Other times, not so much. I will touch on two such topics today.
The first is the surprising. Science influences the effectiveness of politicians and politics in persuading people to elect them or go along with initiatives. The powers of persuasion are all very scientific. What people do and don't enjoy hearing, how they react, and whether they can be motivated to vote or act is all dependent on neurology. Some politicians study and adapt to these realities, while other simply harness it naturally.
The second, not so much. Stem cell research has been a major controversial issue in politics since research began, because conservatives are concerned it could lead to a type of cloning, and that it generally destroys the sanctity of life. However, innovations gleaned from stem cell research can in fact be used to help heal formerly terminal and irreparable diseases, potentially cancers, by regenerating healthy tissue. With a democrat in the White House, it seems that stem cell research will get another, controversial, chance.