In the News

Potomac Institute for Policy Studies experts are warning that potential long-term health effects of the BP oil spill are both troubling and unclear.  Cleanup workers and Gulf Coast residents are reporting symptoms that include headaches and respiratory problems.  In a Los Angeles Times article, Center for Neurotechnology Studies Director Prof. James Giordano, PhD, says there is "overwhelming evidence" that compounds found in crude oil are dangerous, while Dr. Stephen Cunnion of the Institute's Center for Health Policy and Preparedness says more follow-up on individuals exposed to oil spills is needed.  Click here to read the full Los Angeles Times article.     

Prof. Yonah Alexander, Director of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies International Center for Terrorism Studies, says Israel's raid on an aid flotilla bound for Gaza has focused the world’s attention on expanding Middle East security challenges.  At the same time, the raid has become the center of an international controversy that poses fresh challenges for the Obama administration.  Prof. Alexander contributed to Canada's Global National network news coverage of the raid story. Click here to watch Global National's story including Prof. Alexander's comments.   

James Tate, PhD, is the Director of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies' Center for Environmental Economics and Ethics.  According to Dr. Tate, the BP oil spill in the Gulf is an unprecedented disaster that calls for nothing less than a fundamental economic and cultural restructuring as part of the response.  In an interview on radio's syndicated Jim Bohannon Show, Dr. Tate argues that we have given short shrift to the kind of research that could mitigate or prevent such disasters in the future.  Click here to listen to the interview in full.     

The Director of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies’ Center for Health Policy and Preparedness, Donald Donahue DHEd, has co-authored an article with former Surgeon General Richard Carmona, MD, in the May 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.  In this article, “Retooling the Uniformed Public Health Service for the 21st Century,” the authors call for beefing up the US public health service to respond to the rapid emergence of new diseases and health threats. "Strengthening global public health has been identified as a priority by the World Health Organization," says Dr. Donahue. "The commissioned corps of the US public health service draws upon unique history and capabilities. We are delighted to have the opportunity to present our case in a premiere medical journal for what arguably should be the nation's next healthcare initiative."  The full article is available on the JAMA website.     

Dr. Tawfik Hamid is the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies' Chair for the Study of Islamic Radicalism.  In the wake of the attempted Times Square bombing, he has commented to several media outlets about the process of radicalization that is used to create new recruits to terrorist groups.  Following reports that the Times Square suspect was influenced by radical internet imams, Dr. Hamid spoke to KIRO radio's Dave Ross. Click here to listen to the show. Advance the timeline 21:20 minutes into the broadcast to hear Dr. Hamid's interview.        

Prof. James Giordano, PhD, is the Director of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies' Center for Neurotechnology Studies.  Prof. Giordano's work focuses heavily on the area of neuroethics, which includes research into the biological and cultural foundations of ethical decision-making and what is considered moral behavior.  This is a rapidly-evolving area of research; in a recent New York Times article, a Yale researcher reported on findings that suggest even infants may have some innate sense of right and wrong.  Prof. Giordano comments on those findings and on the next challenge they pose for neuroethicists: whether such data can be used to create more "ethical" citizens and societies, and if so, who decides which moral standards should apply. Click below to watch, then click here for more information about Prof. Giordano's work.