WHAT S WITH THAT SHED ON THE SEAWALL 2 eueucususncnanenenscd B.C. docs unravel deadliest cancer BC Cancer Agency maps complete genetics of triple negative breast cancer to spur better understanding By STACY THOMAS cientists at the BC Cancer Agen- cy have decoded the genetic make-up of the deadliest type of breast cancer, opening the door to more effective treatment. Triple negative breast cancer has until now been treated as a single dis- ease and has been notorious for resist- ing treatment and relapsing. “This is a great day,” said Doug Nel- son, BC Cancer Foundation president and CEO, at a press conference Wednesday. “Advancements like this one have the potential to affect widespread change and to inspire widespread hope,” he said. The study was published Wednes- day in the online international science journal Nature and reveals — contrary to traditional thought — that the can- cer is an extremely complex tumour that undergoes an unprecedented range of mutations. Triple negative breast cancer cur- rently accounts for 16 per cent of all breast cancer diagnoses and 25 per cent of breast cancer deaths. Scientists now know that they are dealing with a vastly more complicated disease, comparing the cancer to a “mini ecosystem” with Darwinian-type evolvement that defends itself against treatment. As drugs and chemotherapy are ap- plied, weaker cells die while stronger See CANCER DISCOVERY, page 3 66 By ROSS ARMOUR & SASCHA PORTEOUS Foreign controversial federal bill has ° refugees and immigrants wor- nationals ried they will be subject to arbi- could be trary profiling, detentions and ° deportations. detained Protesters gathered yesterday down- for up toa town at Georgia Street and Hamilton ° th, Street to rally in opposition. year with “Foreign nationals could be detained out any for up to a year without any review,” ° said lawyer Peter Edelmann, who rep- review resents those opposing the bill. PETER EDELMANN, “You wouldn’t be reunited with your lawyer family members and you wouldn’t be able to apply for permanent residence.” Bill C-31 would give Immigration Canada the power to enforce jail time for asylum seekers, deny permanent residency and expel refugees from Canada, according to migrant and refu- gee rights activists. “Canadians take great pride in the generosity and compassion of our im- migration and refugee programs. But [Canada] has no tolerance for those who abuse our generosity and seek to take unfair advantage of our country,” said Immigration Minister Jason Ken- ney in a press release. Edelmann — who was at the protest SASCHA PORTEOUS photo A group of about 40 protesters gathered near Georgia Street and Hamilton Street Wednesday to oppose a new federal immigration bill. Refugees protest tougher law Proposed law could increase refugee detention times, says lawyer — said the bill would have devastating effects on refugees and foreign nation- als already present in Canada. “There’s no reason for this bill to be slammed through parliament as quick- ly as the government is intending. They want to pass this through parlia- ment before June 29th,” Edelmann said. As refugees arrive in Canada, Bill C-31 implements a required hearing within 30 to 45 days. “That’s simply not enough time for somebody who is traumatized or some- See IMMIGRATION LAW, page 3 Holy million-mosquito mayhem, Batman! Park Board tackles pesky golf course mosquitoes by housing bats on the greens By CARLY RHIANNA SMITH ncouver golf courses are using an Yporssrentons form of pest con- trol this spring to keep the bugs away — bats. The natural predators can consume as much as 3,000 insects a night, which prompted the Vancouver Board of i) Parks and Recreation to install “roosts” at several golf courses throughout the city. “Bats, you wouldn’t really see in your backyard. We’re giving them an ideal place to live,” said Howard Nor- mann, Vancouver Park Board supervi- sor of golf operations. Golf courses are a suitable home for bats, said Normann, with access to semi-open areas near trees and water as well as plenty of insects. Normann presented the idea last year after re- searching ways to get rid of mosquitos without using toxic chemical sprays. “Tf it’s successful, we might be able to put more roosts around [Vancouver],” he said. “People think they’re like vam- pires, but they’re not.” A total of six bat roosts will be in- stalled this year at Fraserview, Langa- ra and McCleery golf courses, housing a total of 300 to 400 bats. “You've got a bat symbol sort of a thing on the front of it, so it looks kind of like you’ve got Batman in there,” said Dan Okholm, Langara golf course maintenance member. Bats hibernate below 10 degrees Cel- sius and will be moved in soon. Ra... SS: CARLY RHIANNA SMITH photo A bat roost has been installed at Langara golf course.