Adventures of a Retired Armchair Traveler

My tweets

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:16:14 GMT

Thu, 18:58: I like it. http://t.co/7ZW8702ed9

vlisco

Sun, 05 May 2013 14:08:18 GMT

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22369750

My tweets

Thu, 02 May 2013 12:16:16 GMT

Wed, 18:18: Check out @aleclomami's new EP, Melancolie Joyeuse. #congo #hiphop #africa #music #drc #kinshasa http://t.co/hYCj8BHky0

My tweets

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:16:13 GMT

Sat, 20:25: “Combien (feat. Jean Goubald)” by Didjak Munya is my new jam. http://t.co/qma9O7vndM

My tweets

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:01:34 GMT

Thu, 17:11: #nowplaying Didjak Munya - Nakozonga #tropical http://t.co/FyzX8a9VIo via @22tracks

My tweets

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:16:29 GMT

Sat, 11:27: I think this is my favorite track off the new album https://t.co/BKRfHBrMMz http://t.co/iGjQ6bSF6B

My tweets

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:16:32 GMT

Thu, 17:27: FREE download of @didjakmunya's Nakozonga!!!! #kinshasa #DRC #hiphop #music @okayafrica @afropopww @P_Loco_60 https://t.co/C4zySKm4Bv
Thu, 19:35: RT @Medic: Using #film to promote #maternalhealth: http://t.co/E2awbiULuA by @HuffPost via @K4Health
Thu, 19:36: Additionally, #lisarussell is amazing and you should all go see LoveLaborLoss which is still relevant 10yrs on #film #maternalhealth
Thu, 19:56: RT @MENewsflash: Ivory Coast begins exhuming mass graves http://t.co/Vz8U7cNg0Q #ajstream
Thu, 20:13: RT @AlecLomami: so... I finally have a release date April 30, this time its for real for real, i have a few good jams! #melancolieJoyeuseEP

My tweets

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:01:45 GMT

Thu, 19:14: RT @lou_reuters: UN Security Council unanimously approves creation of intervention force within MONUSCO to neutralize armed groups in ea ...
Thu, 19:15: RT @MvembaDizolele: Congo is also defined by its beautiful art. Unlimited talent. #DRC #Congo http://t.co/gEu6RWupQv
Thu, 19:27: @Redearthlion RT @texasinafrica There's also no comedic points left to be made on Toto's "Africa" after this genius: http://t.co/vWDzp81I6I
Thu, 20:06: RT @ayse: RT @dcm: OH: Q. How normal do you think you are? A. on a scale of 1 to "Mel Gibson", I'm probably about a "Tom Cruise"

My tweets

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:01:38 GMT

Wed, 20:08: RT @coxvaxie: 3. Which makes me wonder if the anti people really think we just don't get it? No. We get it. We just think we get to cont ...
Wed, 20:13: I agree something has to change but I'm not convinced this is the solution #Congo #DRC #UN #drones #searchanddestroy http://t.co/r7hUogrc02
Wed, 20:18: Apparently Ethiopia doesn't allow me to visit a) online shoe stores; or b) any shortened link beginning with bit.ly

Exploration of science and ethics related to HeLa cells derived from Henrietta Lacks

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:06:55 GMT

This article explores the question of whether anonymously donated (or otherwise obtained) samples of genetic material should be permitted for use in genome sequencing, and whether, once sequenced, the data should be available.

The story originates with Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were taken without the consent of her or her family, back in the 1950s, when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and subsequently used in all sorts of scientific research, including that used to develop lifesaving vaccines.

The book written about Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, the same writer penning the opinion piece linked above, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,* explores in great detail the history of Ms. Lacks herself, as well as her family, the genesis of human research ethics, how her cells have become used around the world, and how her family didn't know anything about it for over 20 years.

The article in the NY Times discusses whether scientists should have performed genome sequencing on her cells and published the results without her family's consent (no).

It is an interesting conundrum: her cells have been out there so long and used in so many situations, that many think they are anonymous or identity-less. But there is still a requirement to protect the privacy of her other family members, which publishing genome sequencing data does not achieve. I haven't been tracking the conversation, but I have the impression that many think the ends justify the means: Just look how many people have been saved through vaccines! How many life-saving drugs and treatments have been developed! Look how much more we can do with science and genome sequencing!

But privacy is important, and her family is still out there, not anonymous, being affected by publication of data of their family member (data subsequently retracted from the public domain) and by potential unintended results of this data being available.

I wonder whether the horse has already left the barn in this case - and yet, it is essential to emphasize that each of us should have the ability to make choices about what information is shared and what is not. Having worked in research with human subjects, I can tell you that many researchers do not feel it is important to protect genetic material beyond delinking the material from the person's name or identifying factors, and that consent for use of this material beyond the initial research is not required.

What the article above is telling us is that "anonymizing" material from a person's identity is not enough, and that our current laws and regulations are out of date.

*I may be biased in that I am interested in human research ethics issues, but I rate this book five stars. It is both biography and essay, engaging yet written in plain language. I may have even blogged about it before? Read it!

My tweets

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:01:42 GMT

Tue, 21:28: Hey #DRC #Congo #Kinshasa #music #hiphop lovers, go buy @didjakmunya's album "Oxyg�ne" on iTunes now! https://t.co/Av7QUYcVJU
Tue, 22:10: Go get the album! Out now on iTunes! https://t.co/Av7QUYcVJU http://t.co/SSBi14e49n

My tweets

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:01:53 GMT

Thu, 16:12: Reunited and it feels so good! http://t.co/xRU6aeKQOM

Short video on African textiles exhibit at the British Museum

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 08:08:50 GMT

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21810980

My tweets

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:16:39 GMT

Wed, 19:20: “Premiere Gaou” by Magic System is my new jam. http://t.co/DrVaQk6sWg

My tweets

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 12:31:32 GMT

Sat, 15:18: New music out of #Kinshasa #DRC #congo by @didjakmunya. Check out the video on YouTube: http://t.co/zeV76e686O

Laisse-toi aller!

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:11:25 GMT

Check out the new video by Didjak Munya, featuring vocalist Bill Clinton Kalonji - get up and shake that thang!

(credits to me and the rest of the "production crew" invisible...)

My tweets

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:01:13 GMT

Wed, 19:12: “Laisse-Toi Aller” by Didjak Munya is my new jam. http://t.co/2ByeubUNhK

My tweets

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:01:07 GMT

Wed, 20:14: New @mtviggy interview with @didjakmunya http://t.co/fSQQu5xT
Wed, 20:26: Interview de @GiBakoloStates avec @didjakmunya � Washington DC http://t.co/w5XVd5sA

My tweets

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:01:15 GMT

Sun, 16:15: RT @amalthya: I DID IT I DID IT! I got a medal AND pain AND satisfaction! And at the finish line , Starbucks! #winning

My tweets

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 12:16:12 GMT

Fri, 16:36: RT @DISSECTOREVENTS: Shame on the world: Tomorrow-3rd anniv of Haiti Earthquake http://t.co/ES54mDTR
Fri, 16:37: RT @amalthya: Makes me so mad cc @coxvaxie @evgenymorozov A new low: an anti-vaccination book for kids that celebrates measles http://t. ...
Fri, 16:39: RT @okayafrica: Two African designers named in the #MercedesBenzFashionWeek NYC line-up. http://t.co/ILSaDBHa
Fri, 16:41: RT @EllaSube: Dr Mukwege founder of rape victims hospital in DRC returns after forced exile @WomenUndrSiege @Fempeace @equalitynow http ...
Fri, 16:41: RT @WillMcAvoyACN: Dear Republicans: Unless you are reporting a rape to the police, do not talk about rape.
Fri, 16:44: RT @texasinafrica: Hollande says France is ready to stop advance of Mali rebels http://t.co/q64ihwug
Fri, 17:00: RT @radiookapi: Province Orientale: plus de 250 000 enfants vaccin�s contre la rougeole � Isangi http://t.co/622o94CE #radiookapi #RDC # ...
Fri, 18:06: RT @AlecLomami: MAMA I MADE IT I'm on this one! #wediditkinshasa Biggie voice RT @22tracks: Afripop updated by @ophiona. http://t.co/wtb ...
Fri, 18:09: RT @afropopww: Woh. French troops are now actively deployed in #Mali. http://t.co/26hiXsLC #AfricanNews
Sat, 03:57: RT @jranck: Vaccinating 46% Of Haiti's Population Could Control Cholera Epidemic, Study Concludes http://t.co/5bRAVrcy

Sat, 04:02: RT @WrongingRights: Thanks! RT @roryfenton Bloody fantastic from @WrongingRights - http://t.co/PGxAGTxX
Sat, 04:05: RT @radiookapi: #Maniema: nouveaux #combats entre #FARDC et Ma�-Ma� Ra�a Mutomboki � Kasese http://t.co/UCX7Eoe1 #radiookapi #RDC
Sat, 04:09: RT @IFEX: Congolese soldiers beat and detain radio station employees http://t.co/hlMNbxwY | @pressfreedom #DRC
Sat, 04:14: RT @digitaldjeli: Both DR Congo and Uganda back U.N. plan for eastern Congo drones http://t.co/Lz09xG5Q #M23 #Rwanda
Sat, 04:18: RT @mogaffney: I'd like to sponsor a bill that takes personhood AWAY from @RepPaulRyan.

My tweets

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:01:14 GMT

Thu, 16:05: US backs plans for drones in DR #Congo http://t.co/E0fgxtUO
Thu, 16:11: RT @MsA_licia: I'm about to move to Mexico and start a drug trade fuck taxes. I don't have time for this.
Thu, 16:14: RT @equalitynow: Congrats to @Invisible_War on your Oscar nomination for best documentary feature film! Well deserved, indeed! #NotInvis ...
Thu, 16:17: RT @allthatmel: As a friend said, "starting the year is arbitrary, isn't it? We are in a longer process than that." Wise words. Thanks @ ...
Thu, 16:33: @Kaysha at the Klubb in #Kinshasa 16 Jan http://t.co/zPJgkior #DRC #Congo #hiphop #music
Thu, 16:53: RT @WrongingRights: Check out the @Congoinharlem #Kony2012 panel podcast (new post): http://t.co/GHQ6ha1F
Thu, 16:53: RT @wildebees: Japanese hacker continues to taunt police with clue strapped to cat (Wired UK) http://t.co/eDuoUU39
Thu, 17:17: RT @LeVostreGC: What wille we have wantid? The future perfecte. When wille we have wantid yt? Two dayes from nowe.
Thu, 17:17: RT @xek: This ad keeps cracking me up. It is so thoroughly bad, but is half a page of The Economist. http://t.co/GvwqmzlZ
Thu, 17:59: RT @afropopww: 66 percent of plays on soundcloud are from independent artists?!?! the only media platform for which that is true. #APAPnyc

Thu, 18:08: RT @InDogBarDill: PS: I will not apologize for refusing to support Ben Affleck's existence.
Thu, 18:17: RT @malaidea: Leaving Kinshasa port for Brazzaville, land of Casino supermarkets. http://t.co/IQ7aHDP1
Thu, 23:49: RT @Rwandankunda: Aid to Rwanda: The pain of suspension | The Economist http://t.co/fNviYZqg

My tweets

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:01:49 GMT

Mon, 00:41: “Let's Groove” by Earth Wind and Fire is my new jam. ♫ http://t.co/qzMQvwru

My tweets

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 12:31:09 GMT

Fri, 21:20: @kai_wright We may have lost that tiny piece of paper with your email but @didjakmunya is still interested in talking with you
Sat, 00:56: RT @amalthya: Just drove by the NRA headquarters and the sky above the building was totally clear. I’d been expecting to see a shitstorm.

My tweets

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 12:16:03 GMT

Wed, 02:54: “Thrift Shop - feat. Wanz” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis is my new jam. ♫ http://t.co/3mKXnrAX

My tweets

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 12:02:02 GMT

Sat, 03:08: @didjakmunya on #NYC's Progressive Radio Network with @DISSECTOREVENTS yesterday (segment starts 26:40) #hiphop #congo http://t.co/qQTPJitV