Body Parts for Sale

Summary: Michigan State University Professor Monir Moniruzzaman attempts to uncover the dreadful blackmarket trade of organs. He discovers that poor people who sell their organs hardly ever come up with the proposed money. In fact, 80% of the donors did not receive any money at all. Most of the operations are taking place in India, where refutable doctors are performing surgeries eight at a time.

Questions: Do you believe organ donations would become a required thing in the future, similar to Never Let Me Go? How would you regulate the spread of black market organs?

Source:  http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=754295#.T7rf-r_2m11

Facebook encourages organ donation

Facebook promotes  organ donation on its page and inform 900 million people to sign up to donate organs. Its is one of the biggest capaigns of hits especially of the scaricity of donation of organs. This help gain more organ donation through a social network to promote people to donate.This social networking promotion gives potential of more possible donations. The idea was taken by the natural disaster relief in Japan because of the big hit of donation that facebook has promoted. It just seems more and more that the best way to promote is through social networking.

Questions:

Do you think promoting things like organ donation or fund reliefs for natural disaster in social networking is a good idea?

Is it more effective then verbally and stands promotion ?

How do you feel about promoting all these things on facebook or should faceboo just remain aplace to socialize?

Old Men Still Screened for Prostate Cancer

In a recent article in the New York Times, writer Tara Parker-Pope outlines the recent debate regarding the need for Prostate tests in old men. 2008 saw the end of men older than 75 being tested for Prostate cancer, according to the United States Preventive Services Task Force. The usual test would be a prostate specific antigen, or P.S.A. The task force had mentioned that the procedure and test would further disrupt, cause harm, and pain for many elderly. Although this was decided, very few doctors and patients have decided to obey and follow this. In reality, P.S.A screening was more common in men ages 75 and older, than any other years.

Source: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/24/older-men-still-being-screened-for-prostate-cancer/?ref=health

Questions: According to the article, doctors and physicians choose to carry out the test because talking about life expectancy with patients is an extremely touchy subject. Should our future medical schools and colleges offer classes that deal with certain scenarios? Other sources believe that doctors are constantly over diagnosing when it comes to prostate cancer, is there such a thing as over diagnosing?

SAVE YOUR HIDE-SKIP THE TANNING BOOTH

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25378496/ns/health-health_care/

This article discusses how tanning, whether in the tanning booth or in the natural sun is actually very bad for your skin and health. The media has shaped tanning to become the new "fashion trend". In actuality, the human skin becomes darker in order to protect itself from the harmful rays. Soon, skin basically can burn like charcoal. Yet because of this "fashion trend", the number one cancer which kills many lives is skin cancer-from tanning!

QUESTION: If people know that tanning in general cause cancer, why do they willingly risk their lives? Also, does this mean that people care more about their image then actual health?

5 Hawaii doctors offer assisted suicide to terminally ill patients

http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/04/16/prsd0417.htm

Summary:
Hawaii currently has no law authorizing assisted suicides, however, I group of physicians recently offered to write lethal prescriptions for terminally ill patients in order to test if doctor-assisted suicide is allowed under state law.  After hearing of this, the physicians discovered that they could be charged for manslaughter for writing up lethal prescriptions.

Questions:
Do you think that physician-assisted suicide is a moral thing? Why or why not?

Should patients have the option to choose physician-assisted suicide or should it be banned everywhere across the United States?

Study Sheds Light on How Birds Navigate by Magnetic Field - Rachel Lee

Birds have been known to be great navigators. For years, scientists have been trying to figure out how they are able to navigate from one place to another. They have found that their ability to detect variations in the earth's magnetic field contributes to their great navigational skills. After doing some research, scientists have discovered cells in the pigeon's brain that could record detailed information about the earth's magnetic field. It is compared to a biological compass. Researchers have also discovered a group of cells in the brain stem of pigeons that can both record both the direction and the strength of the magnetic field. They believe these cells are within the inner ear of the pigeon.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/27/science/study-sheds-light-on-how-pigeons-navigate-by-magnetic-field.html?ref=science

Do you think scientists should be doing more studies like this one?

Heavy Backpacks Can Spell Chronic Back Pain for Children

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/23/heavy-backpacks-can-spell-chronic-back-pain-for-children/?ref=science

Summary: In this article, the effects of children carrying heavy backpacks are revealed.  Not only does it drain their energy, but it can result in serious back problems when they are older, such as stress fractures, inflammation of growth cartilage, back and neck strain, and nerve damage to neck and shoulders.  These children have been compared to pack animals who carry 10-15% of their own body weight on their backs.

Question:  Is it the school's responsibility to take care of their students when it comes to backpacks?  If yes or no, what are some reasonable solutions to fix this problem?

Tupac’s resurrection

Summary: During 2012's Coachella Festival, Tupac, a deceased rapper, was "resurrected" through the process known as Pepper's Ghost, or a hologram.  Throughout Tupac's holographic performance, many were amazed by his performance, yet, somewhat queasy.  This story also brought up ethical questions about whether deceased beings should be left alone, or should be "brought back to life.  Even if we do have the technology to accomplish this task, does it mean that we should?...

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/trending-now/y-big-story-tupac-resurrection-questions-over-raising-215806421.html

Questions: After someone does, is it ethical and/moral for others to "resurrect" the dead even if it to pay tribute? Is it ever ethical to raise the dead?  When someone dies, who has the right to that deceased being?  

-Margaret

"When The Cure Seems Worse Than The Disease"

Link: http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/bioethics/9810/refuse.treatment/template.html

Summary: A family in Maine decides to stop treatment for her 4 year old son who is suffering from HIV infection. A few years back, her 3 year old daughter died from AIDS. This incident helped her decision with her son. The treatment for HIV seems to be worse than the actual disease. The side effects from the drugs are severe and may just prolong the suffering of the boy. The Department of Human Services asked for custody of the boy as a result of neglect and abuse from his mother.

Question: What is your opinion on the mother's decision? Is it wrong for a mother to choose to stop treatment for her son?

Controversial guidelines for UK doctors

http://www.bioedge.org/index.php/bioethics/bioethics_article/10026

The General Medical Council, GMC in the UK has recently come up with a draft of new guidelines that are quite controversial for better patient care.  It has proposed that doctors may not refuse requests for sex-change operations or only prescribe contraceptives to married women and not unmarried women, as it would be discrimination towards a certain group of persons or women; however, the new guidelines give doctors the right to refuse to participate in abortions but cannot impose their beliefs on the patients or refuse to give the patient the "appropriate" services.  The GMC hopes that through these new amendments and guidelines, doctors would be able to set aside their own beliefs and provide patient care that is in compliance with the General Medical Council.

Do you think that these new amendments would really make doctors set aside their own personal beliefs or bias, when treating certain groups of patients?  Wouldn't it be also be considered discriminatory if doctors refuse to participate in abortions?

Who Is To Blame When A Robotic Car Crashes?

http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2012-04/who-blame-when-robotic-car-crashes
The article discusses the implications of removing drivers from cars and replacing them with automatic driving robots. It starts by mentioning the mechanical improvements to cars such as anti-lock brakes and traction control and how those computerized elements have drastically lowered accident rates. It goes on to state that a majority of car accidents are caused by human error and by removing the driver, a majority of accidents would not have occurred. But the issue is the matter of insurance. Manufacturers would the most likely to blame if an malfunctioning car were to cause an accident. The article goes on to mention that if manufacturers are to be put on the spot, they would be more reluctant to build autonomous cars. It finally mentions that the government could step in to regulate such matters by protecting the small amount of people who theoretically would be involved in accidents while still promoting the production of autonomous driving cars.

Should the government encourage autonomous driving vehicles as a matter of safety? Is a car's autopilot a sign of humanity's growing fragility in piloting vehicles?

New Case of Mad Cow Disease in California

Link : http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/04/24/us/politics/ap-us-mad-cow.html?_r=1&ref=health

Summary : Earlier this morning, the first case of mad cow disease happened in the U.S since 2006 in California. About 40,000 cows a year are tested for fatal brain disease and the department chief veterinary officer said there is no such possible thing that cows can't cause a fatal human brain disease. The test shows that humans cannot be infected by drinking milk from infected animals.

Question : Would you still drink milk even though they said cows can't cause a fatal human brain disease?

Priscilla De La Rosa- Vermont Vaccines (April)

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/vermont-lawmakers-parents-at-loggerheads-over-philosophical-exemption-for-kids-vaccines/2012/04/22/gIQArrhCaT_story.html

Summary: Basically, this article states how in Vermont many vaccinations have gone wrong for the kids receiving them. They have had an outbreak of many diseases that the vaccines target such as, pertussis amd whopping cough. However, now a question of informed consent has arisen from this. A mother agreed to vaccinations for both of her two children however, her boy suffered a seizure after a child vaccination and her daughter suffered from head to toe eczema bteakout. This mother then says its a matter of researching the risks and benefits of the immunizations. However, another mom says, "It's a matter of trusting the experts. There’s not really any way that as an individual I can do more scientific study and research than the American Academy of Pediatrics or the Centers for Disease Control."

Question: Now this brings up the question, do you agree with the mother that we should just trusting the experts because it is their job to keep us healthy? Or do you agree with the first mother and reseraching the risks and benefits of the vaccines?

http://insciences.org/article.php?article_id=10368
This article is about how scientist are learning how to make the HIV/AIDs virus not infectious to other cells.  In a sense, they are sugarcoating the virus.  The problem with this is that the HIV/AIDs virus mutates making it hard to fully cure and make the disease non lethal.
Is it right to try this new "vaccine" on people without AIDs, but posssibly give them AIDs in the process?

Can Brain Freeze Solve the Mystery of Migraines?

This article focuses on the effect of rapid blood flow to the brain, what we call a brain freeze.  The brain is supper sensitive to temperature so this rapid change swells the brain’s anterior cerebral artery.  While brain freeze may not be a way to cure migraines and other dysfunctions to the brain it may be linked to them in some way.


http://healthland.time.com/2012/04/23/can-brain-freeze-solve-the-mystery-of-migraines/


If a brain freeze causes your brain to hurt or gain a small amount of discomfort, does eating something hot cause the same effect or a different one?

IVF linked to risk of birth defects and heart disease

Summary:
This article is about how studies are beginning to show that there are more birth defects when women receive IVFs. Before the use of IVFs, birth defects only happened 3 out of 100 children. Now with more and more females getting IVFs, they found that 4 out of 100 children are having birth defects. No one doesn't know for sure what's causing the up rise in the birth defects, but scientist have came up with three possible reasons: "people who have trouble conceiving also tend to have babies with birth defects. The IVF drugs, culture media and techniques themselves could cause the defects. Or finally, there seem to be more defects simply because the children are more closely observed".


Question:
Do you think that women seeking IVFs should be warned about the rise of birth defects before continuing on with treatment? What do you think if the rise of birth defect in IVF continues to go on? 

Link: http://www.bioedge.org/index.php/bioethics/bioethics_article/10027

Antonio Reybol - Medical Tattoo Looks to Replace Bulky Devices

Link:  http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/04/12/medical-tattoo-looks-to-replace-bulky-devices/

Summary: This article is about how doctors want to place a "biostamp" in our skin to detect warnings of our medical health.  It can also keep us updated and inform other doctors of our medical history, just through this one one device.  It is to replace bulky metal pacemakers and other electronics given to us to monitor our health.  It is still in the process of making, but it will be so convenient that it may even be able to sync to our smart phones to notify us of a medical issue happening at that moment!  

Question: If you were someone who had a pacemaker, would you prefer this "biostamp"?  Why or why not?  Would you be scared to know at a specific moment that something wrong is going on in your body by getting a notification on your phone?

Nuffield Council on Bioethics Call for Evidence: Disclosure and Donor Conception - Kristy Owyang

http://www.bionews.org.uk/page_139465.asp

SUMMARY

this article talks about how people are looking into other people donating eggs and sperm and the right of them to know about it later on if the kids would want to know where they come from and the evidence in how this all happen. it also talks about the ways they use to find some evidence to see where they orginally came from, using things from your body and how the parents would feel about it later on after when they are found. 

QUESTION

if you found that your parents arent your parents, would you want to know where you originally came from (your real parents) that the egg and sperm came from?

Ethics and Science in the UK

The audio is over 22 minutes long, but there is the slides to give you a general sense of the issue. please take a look at one or both of them.
Link:
Research involving adults lacking the capacity to consent: The Mental Capacity Act 2005: Audio
Research involving adults lacking the capacity to consent: The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (slides)


Summery:
Since October 2007, England and Wales have carefully regulated research upon adults who lack the ability to consent. However, in Scotland and Northern Ireland, there are different regulations for this issue.   The speaker talks about the range and different parts of the MCA (Mental Capacity Act), and who would qualify to need this act to protect them. He also talks about what the MCA requires and all the proceses that each person must go through in order to do research upon a person who lack the ability to consent.

Questions:

1. Should there be a state law that governs research and development?

2. Should the law, given that there is one, be complicated and require a long process and have detailed specifics on who falls under the need for protection from the Mental Capacity Act?

McGeever Charlotte - 'An ECG could have saved my child'

My April article written by Judy Hobson of The Guardian, published April 8, 2012 is titled "'An ECG Could have saved my child': Two of Kathy Moyle's daughters and a grandson died suddenly. Had she been aware of a genetic link, she says, they might still be alive"


Link
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/apr/08/ecg-could-have-saved-child


Summary
The article is a report on a woman, Kathy Moyle, who after 25 years has learned the what killed her three seemingly healthy younger family members suddenly and unexpectedly. After the first death of her daughter who literally just collapsed and died, it was reported that the cause of death was an abnormal artery. Then later on, Kathy's grandson died in similar fashion - he was riding his bike, then collapsed and died. At this point, no doctor or medical personnel advised her family to get screened for heart defects or that there may be a heredity link. A year later her other daughter was watching TV and collapsed. After this death, the coroner's office got permission to send the recently deceased daughter's heart to a specialist for examination - it was sent by mail and never reached the specialist which Kathy Moyle didn't learn till 6 months after. She was angry because the heart of her daughter could have given an insight into why she and perhaps her sister and the grandson died. Then one day Kathy Moyle was watching a documentary about a rare inherited disorder that affects the electrical rhythm of the heart, Long QT Syndrome. She spoke to a geneticist and was referred to a specialist for screening. It was discovered that she had Long QT Syndrome and that her daughters/grandson had inherited it and that that was most likely the cause of their deaths. If she and her family had received screenings (ECG - Electrocardiography) after the first death of her daughter, her other two family members might still be living.


One Question I have:


Do you think it was wrong that Kathy (and her family) were never advised to get an ECG screening by doctors after the death of her second family member? Do you think that could be considered malpractice? I mean come on, if two young members of the same family die unexpectedly - something fishy has to be going on and doctors are the ones responsible for figuring that out!

A comparison of Origami to our Brains

Link:
 http://cbhd.org/content/origami-brain-neural-folds-neuroethics

Summery:
  Such as origami is a complicated form of folds, and is capable of being a masterpiece, by using one piece of paper, our brain is extraordinarily complicated, "By adulthood, the cerebral hemispheres enfold 2500 cm ³, which is 1.4 times the surface area of the front page of the Wall Street Journal." This being said, we can imagine how much information we can possibly jam in. Neuroscientists are beginning to think that they might be able to map out the brain like a topography map by studying the molecular behavior of it. By defining what a person should and can do, creates the 'what should or shouldn't be done' area a bit more hazy. This would mean that, like origami, the brain has a limited number of space to 'fold' and so will eventually not be able to store information.

questions:
1. Should scientists try decoding the human brain and cause the ideals of right and wrong to become "hazy"?

2. Do you think that the brain has a limit, or can it 'fold' indefinitely?

MARION CUNNANE

http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2007/03/ethical-issues-over-potential-cancer-treatment.ars


Summary:
This article talks about a new type of cancer treatment called DCA.  This cancer treatment, however, had not been used on humans ever yet.  It has been very hard to get a trial group to test this treatment on human beings, to see if it actually works.  The article also discusses the desperation of the patients for a cure, or any treatment that will work, but they are struggling with time and money, causing them to question whether or not they want to participate in the study.

Questions:
Should cancer patients have there health care paid for when they are participating in a medical study, regarding all treatments received outside of the actual trial?  Is there a faster way to pass the legal and economical sides clinical trials in order to speed along the process of finding a cure?

Yuck, Diet Pepsi! Priscilla De La Rosa

Website link: http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/28/pepsico-denies-accusations-on-link-to-aborted-feta

Summary: Basicslly, the second largest food company, PepsiCo, has been accused of using aborted fetal cell lines to enhance the flavor of the soda. They have also been accused to contracting along with Senomyx Inc., which uses aborted fetal cells to greater the taste of their beverages and food. When the company, Senomyx publicly announced they used fetal cells in their research, many pro-life activists boy-cotted PepsiCo all around the world. However, with all the information on the companies, PepsiCo has denied and denied the use of aborted fetal cells in their beverages.

Question: is it right to use aborted fetal cells to enhance the flavor? Even though, it's completely nasty and disgusting?

Geneticists debate what to tell patients about clinical genome sequences

http://blogs.nature.com/news/2012/03/geneticists-debate-what-to-tell-patients-about-clincial-genome-sequences.html

This article talk about the fundamental question and debate in genome sequencing today. That is: "Should patients undergoing genome sequencing be screened for a minimum set of disease-causing mutations, and should adults and children receive different types of genetic results?" This article discusses how if patients do go in for genome sequencing, doctors will not only be able to detect basic mutations and alignments of there genes, but also more serve 'secondary findings' about diseases in the future (such as Alzheimer's). The problem doctors faced today is whether or not patients have a right to these secondary findings, especially since these findings do not accurately detect whether a patient will have the disease in the future. Some argue that yes, patients should have a right because it can save lives. Others argue that knowing the information will only cause the patient to worry constantly for no real reason.

Question: If the doctors discover a non-life threatening "secondary finding", should patients still be informed?

The Quest for a Male Contraceptive

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-03/popsci-qampa-john-amory-has-been-developing-male-contraceptive-15-years

This article discusses the implications of developing a male contraceptive. Doctor John Armory of the University of Washington has spent the last 15 years attempting to develop a male contraceptive device in the form of a birth control pill. The reason he says it is taking so long is because while a female only produces a single egg in a month, males produce thousands of sperm every second. The basis behind the pill is simply using testosterone to shut down the production of endorphins in the brain that tell the body to produce sperm cells. There is also a mtethod of using proteins that prevent the sperm from swimming as well as controlling the body's production of Vitamin A which gets converted to a type of acid needed for sperm production.

What are the social and/or ethical issues in such a device for men? Will it's popularity be mired or will it ultimately find use among all of the common population?

"Ashley Treatment" for Disabled - Sam Wells


Link: http://www.bioedge.org/index.php/bioethics/bioethics_article/9985


Summary: This article talks about a treatment many people have tried that is known as the "Ashley Treatment." It is  a combination of surgery and medication to “freeze-frame” a child by stunting its growth so that he or she will never grow beyond the size of a six or seven-year-old. The treatment radically alters a person’s body without their consent but is said to improve a disabled persons quality of life.


Who has the right to decide if a disabled child should get the treatment if they cannot decide for themselves? Is it automatically the parents choice?

Organ Donation Controversies - Sam Wells

Link: http://www.bioedge.org/index.php/bioethics/bioethics_article/10002

Summary: This article talks about when it should be allowed, exactly, to begin an organ transplant. Organs can only be taken out of a patient after they are declared dead and cannot be revived. Once they are pronounced dead the machines keep blood flowing to keep the organs alive and fresh for a transplant. The question is how long should doctors and transplant teams have to wait to be sure the patient is 100% dead and unable to be revived?

If the stop of blood flow means the person is dead, what does it mean for them when it starts again because of the machine? How can doctors be sure the patient is fully dead and still not wait too long that the organs cant be transplanted? what is more important, the small potential for life of a patient or the guaranteed life of the healthy organ recipient?

Many young cancer patients don't discuss fertility

Link: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/26/many-young-cancer-patients-dont-discuss-fertility/


Summary: Many women aged 40 or younger who have been diagnosed with cancer were not told by their doctors of the possibility of embryo and egg-freezing procedures.  Because doctors do not always discuss this procedure with their patients, the patients may lose the opportunity to have children in the future.  Egg-freezing may not always be covered by insurance and can cost from about $8,000 to $24,000.  


Question: Even though egg freezing may not be covered by insurance, should doctors be obligated to discuss this procedure with their patients?  If a doctor does not discuss this, should a patient be eligible to sue his or her doctor?

The Human Voice, as Game Change

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/technology/nuance-communications-wants-a-world-of-voice-recognition.html?pagewanted=1&ref=technology

Summary: Humans speaking to one another has been the main source of communication since the beginning of mankind. However, as technology advances, companies, such as Nuance Communications, are trying to create a "world of voice recognition." Nuance Communications is a leading force in voice technology and are planning for a voice enabled future. Technology such as phones and cars already have voice detection but the company is now working on bringing responses from appliances such as refrigerators, coffee makers, and televisions. 


Question: What is your opinion on voice technology? Is it unnecessary or is it beneficial to society? Are humans becoming overly dependent on technology?

A Struggle to define "death" for organ donors

Scientist and Researchers have a controversy over figuring out a definition for death for possible organ donation. Scientist has defined death as brain dead meaning no brain activity whatsoever. But now their is a new addition discovery of definition to death which is cardiac and circulatory death. When the heart or circulatory system is not working and family of doctors assume that their is no help, they arguing the issue that it is ok to put them on the organ donors list but they do not know for sure if they are completely dead or If their  is a chance for revival but still  put them on a list for a possible donor.  -What do you think or consider as a definition of dead? - Do you think it is right to put someone on the organ donors list as a possible donor without an actual diagnostic tes http://m.npr.org/story/149463045?url=/blogs/health/2012/03/27/149463045/a-struggle-to-define-death-for-organ-donors

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A02EFD61230F93AA15752C1A9679D8B63&ref=geneticengineering
HIV Cure?
There is medical research in hopes for aids.  The first step is to cure H.I.V., and a man has successfully done so by a specific bone marrow transplant.  However, more recently, a man has gone through a much simpler gene therapy.  However, this was not a cure but briefly controlled the H.I.V.
Question:
Should this gene therapy be used to control the H.I.V but have to go in regularly like dialysis, or should patients have to go though a bone marrow transplant?

Life, Interrupted: Facing Cancer in Your 20s ...... Tiffanie Yu

Link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/29/life-interrupted-facing-cancer-in-your-20s/?ref=health

Summary: Emma Dodge Hansen was a on her way to an enjoyable trip to Paris and then New York until she started to feel weak from head to toe. The doctors didn't know what it was or what was causing her these symptoms. They ran tests after tests and finally she was diagnosed with cancer in her early 20's. Emma had no idea this would happen, she was healthy and everything was good in her life.

Question: If people can get cancer in their early 20's does this affect your life or does it not affect you if anyone can now get cancer in their 20's more often than before? Does it make you question more about your life like how are you going to live your life with cancer or will you have children in the future?

After Hospitalization, Mental Trouble for Elderly Patients By: Judith Graham- Aerial Williams

Summary:

This article is about how elderly people's mental health declines after their stay at the hospital. There isn't a real reason to why it is, but people are now thinking it's because of the treatment they are recieving during their stay. There has been a study at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago that has proved that memory loss and reasoning had declined faster after a hospitalization. Researchers also suspect the cause of their poor mental health is delirium. They also found out that older patients who have non- critical health problems are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia after hospitalization. 

Question:

What do you think the main cause of the rapid decline of elderly patient's mental health? 

Link:

http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/after-hospitalization-mental-trouble-for-elderly-patients/#

Puberty Before Age 10: A New "Normal"?


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/magazine/puberty-before-age-10-a-new-normal.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=science

In this article, it tells the story of a little girl who began puberty as soon as first grade, but no doctor could explain why until finally, one said that it was a result of stress, insulin, and sugar.  This has been studied since the 80's, as more girls begin growing breasts earlier and earlier, now at about 9.96 years old.  There are however some factors that can cause an early puberty in young girls.  The first would be their weight. The second, if their mothers, while pregnant, drank milk or ate meat with PBB, an estrogen-mimicking chemical.  The third would be social stressful problems.  The effects of an early puberty are depression, weakened bones, early sexual desires, more sex-partners, lower self-esteem, eating disorders, and anxiety.  More research is being conducted on this matter.

Question:  If girls are going through an earlier puberty than other girls of the same age, should the parents step in and have the girls take hormone-inhibiting medicine in order to delay the changes?

Among Doctors, Fierce Reluctance to Let Go

http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/29/among-doctors-fierce-reluctance-to-let-go/?ref=health

This article is about a women in her 70s who had in writing that she would not like to be on life support, no artificial nutrition, and no nursing home before she was unresponsive after a stroke.  

When she was brought to the hospital, the ambulance crew put her on a ventilator, considered standard procedure.  When she woke up and was able to breathe again, doctors removed it, but the prominent surgeon ordered that she receives IV fluids.  Dr. Matlock, a geriatrician, saw that the surgeon was deliberating ignoring the old woman's wishes of no artificial nutrition.  

By inserting IV fluids, it makes it harder for dying patients to breathe.  "Dehydration is a gentler death, with less agitation" but because she didn't explicitly say "no IVs"in writing as well.  

Do you think it's ethical that patients can have in writing that they don't want to be on life support and the doctors have to respect that?  Or as a doctor, doctors must respect life and try to save it no matter what, even if it goes against the wishes of that person?  

Johns Hopkins Bioethicist: “Individual Mandate” Is Constitutional - Kristy Owyang

http://www.newswise.com/articles/johns-hopkins-bioethicist-individual-mandate-is-constitutional 

SUMMARY

This article is talking about how the government or the supreme court is pressuring people today to obtain health care by 2014 or  face a monetary penalty. Some people believe that this is happening because the government want to strike down the individual mandate to prevent their crucial authority in matters with a substantial economic effect on commerce. But if they strike them down, then the congress could lose their power over national matters (concerns).

QUESTION:

Do you think that the government should pressure the people to get health insurance or should they stay out of it?

Antonio Reybol- FDA must act to remove antibiotics from animal feed: judge

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/23/us-fda-antibiotics-idUSBRE82M04R20120323


Summary: U.S. Magistrate Judge Theodore Katz has ordered the FDA to continue their investigation and provide evidence that antibiotics are being inserted in animals, and to make sure they are SAFE!  The FDA had started this proceeding back in 1977 but really has not enforced or followed through in their investigation.  We all know that the meat we eat are injected with hormones and antibiotics for multiple reasons.  Because of this, the FDA is being sued by The Natural Resource Defense Council, Center for Science in the Public Interest, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.  These antibiotics that are being injected in the live stock are affecting human health.  It is costing Americans $20 billion for antibiotic-resistant infections.  With this said, Katz has enforced the FDA to continue their proceedings to make sure that the antibiotics are being used are safe.  


Question: Regardless if the antibiotics being used in animals are safe, should they be used at all, especially if it affects our health?  Explain.  

Solving Racism with a Drug

Link:
http://www.bioedge.org/index.php/bioethics/bioethics_article/9967

Summary:
In this article it discusses the controversial topic of the possibility of curing racism. A new drug, propranolol used to treat heart disease, effects the part of the brain dealing with fear and emotional responses. Eighteen individuals were given propranolol and all of them had significantly less subconscious racial bias. Many ethicist find this study intriguing, the possibility of solving hundreds of years of racism seems unbelievable to be left to the solution of a pill. However Dr Chris Chambers, of the University of Cardiff, expressed his doubts of this solution, stating that there is no way to tell whether the drug altered the racial bias' or the brains system more generally.

Question(s):
1. Is it truly a solution to the problem if it is solved by taking a drug?
2. if one could solve the issue of racism with a drug, would you?

Charlotte McGeever - "Gene therapy cures life-threatening lung infection in teenage boy"

My March article, written by Ian Sample, a science correspondent to The Guardian newspaper
 is titled "Gene therapy cures life-threatening lung infection in teenage boy".  


Link
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/feb/29/gene-therapy-cures-lung-infection 


Summary
The article is a report on Remy Halbawi, a sixteen year old boy who has become the "first patient to benefit from a new form of gene therapy". Halbawi has a genetic condition, x-CGD (Chronic Granulomatous Disorder); he has a faulty gene that disrupt his immune cells, weakening the body's immune system making him prone to infections. The condition can be cured through a bone marrow transplant (which cured Remy's brother who also inherited the condition), however doctors haven't found a good donor for Remy and decided to begin an "experimental gene therapy technique to replace the faulty gene with a working copy". In doing this, doctors had to make his bone marrow release stem cells through the administering of a drug; the doctors then collected the stem cells from his blood stream to transform/infect them with "a newly developed, genetically modified virus that carries a correct copy of the gene that is faulty in x-CGD". This procedure helped to boost his immune system...only temporarily, but it helped to tackle his lung infection.


One (well two) question I have
How do you feel about altering genes and using DNA as a way to treat disease? Mutations can be terrible, like the one that caused this genetic condition, however they are vital for genetic variation and the process of evolution. (Thanks AP Bio!) So, do you think it would be good or bad thing if we ended up discovering a way to cure and fix all of these conditions that arise from mutations through gene therapy and stem cells...what do you think would happen to us?

Christopher Nguyen - Quadruple Limb Transplant Patient Dies

Article: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/02/28/quadruple-limb-transplant-patient-dies/

Summary: This news story features a 27 year old Turkish man named Sevket Cavdar, who was subject to a quadruple limb transplant. He lost all his limbs during a freak accident in 1998, while he was electrocuted. The surgery was not a success. Usually, limb transplants place an extraordinary amount of strain on the heart, but this man had an amazing four limb transplant. After a few days, doctors had to remove one of the limbs. And eventually removed all. The cause was because of metabolic imbalance.

Question: Just weeks before, a patient went through the same process but instead with three limbs, she died shortly after. If it is obvious that this feat may almost be impossible, why do doctors continue to allow these treatments? Do the physical plus's outweigh the negatives?

Meghan Corbett- Abortion: Gender claims probed by Department of Health

Article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17136213

Summary: The article discusses the issue of women receiving abortions because of gender. Some women feel as if it is okay to get an abortion simply because they would prefer a boy over a girl or vice versa. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children said that this was was an "inevitable consequence" of easy access to abortion. It is said that the Care Quality Commission, who regulate the clinics, need to a hold of this issue as soon as possible.

Question: Is access to abortion to too convenient? Has society made abortion seem like an easier way to get what you really want whether it be a boy or a girl? 

Impatient Web Users, an Eye Blink Is Just Too Long to Wait

Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/technology/impatient-web-users-flee-slow-loading-sites.html?ref=technology

Summary:
Steve Lohr talks about how people these days are becoming more and more impatient when using the computer. He says that 400 milliseconds which is the blink of an eye is considered too long for a person to wait for their computer to load. Google and other companies are working to create faster websites and competing to become the best one. People would most likely visit sites that are faster than those that are not. People are becoming too attached to technology and are losing patience for things that aren't even that important.

Question:
How else can the internet/technology harm society? Do you think technology is taking over people's lives?

Safety Alerts Cite Cholesterol Drugs’ Side Effects - Rachel Lee

Federal Health Officials on Tuesday decided to label cholesterol reducing medication with safety alerts citing the rare risks of memory loss, diabetes and muscle pain. This is the first time the Food and Drug Administration officially linked statin use with problems such as forgetfulness and confusion. Medical Patients who have been taking the medication have been reporting these problems for years. Among the drugs affected are huge sellers like Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor and Vytorin. However, federal officials and medical experts say that people should not be afraid to use medication  that contains statin. “The value of statins in preventing heart disease has been clearly established,” said Dr. Amy G. Egan, deputy director for safety in the F.D.A.’s division of metabolism and endocrinology products. “Their benefit is indisputable, but they need to be taken with care and knowledge of their side effects.”  

Given that these medications can cause side effects such as diabetes, should doctors weigh out the pros and cons of drugs such as Lipitor and Crestor before they prescribe it to their patients?


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/29/health/fda-warns-of-cholesterol-drugs-side-effects.html?ref=health 

Scientists Use Stem Cells to Generate Human Eggs in the Lab

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-02/scientists-isolate-reproductive-stem-cells-generate-human-eggs-lab

Scientists were able to create egg cells from stem cells. Using animal fertility as a model, stem cells taken from mice were used in the experiment. A special machine was used to isolate the specific protein that is involved in creating stem cells. These stem cells were then able to develop into egg cells. These findings in animal research imply that one day the same process can be eventually applied to human cells. The purpose of this is to help cure female infertility.

If this process is used to create egg cells for women, can stem cells be a viable option for future research?

Genetically Engineered Bacteria Could Help Fight Climate Change - Julian Gaskins

Summary: Scientists are genetically modifying bacteria to trap carbon dioxide faster, keeping it underground for millions of years.  When CO₂ is pumped into underground porous rocks, it combines with metal ions in the salty water that fills the rock pores and mineralizes into mineral carbonates, such as calcium carbonate.  This was a major breakthrough for these scientists as this would help the environment by cutting back at the number of carbon dioxide in the air.  One of the scientists did note though that they would need to run more tests on a real-life scenario instead of controlled tests.

Question:  What are the possible risks for releasing advanced bacteria into the weather patterns?

ULTRA SOUND SURGERY-HEALING WITHOUT CUTS

http://www.ted.com/talks/yoav_medan_ultrasound_surgery_healing_without_cuts.html



Summary: Yoav Medan, from the University of San Diego, discusses how new scientific research has found a way to eliminate some devastating health problems with ultra sound rather than surgery. To do this, the ultra sound would be concentrated into a specific area without affecting the area surrounded the target. Medan argues that this type of surgery is better than the physical cuts because for one, the patient is actually awake during this procedure, so the relationship between the doctor and patient will be stronger. He also argues that the results are immediate, with no pain, leaving the suffering and patient out of the recovery stage. Finally, Medan explains how doctors will no longer have to physically operate on a patient; the machines will do it all. Yet as of right now, this procedure can only be done on certain cases of the brain and some types of cancers. For example, one seventy-year-old man suffered from joint and back pain on his right side. The pain was so severe that he could barley walk and sit. Yet immediately after this procedure, the patient was back to his old routines pain free.



Question: Often times, doctors make mistakes during surgery that can cause patients to suffer severely, even die. Do you think computerized procedures will help doctors with accuracy? On the other hand, is the physical surgery safer?

Cloning research leaves questions unanswered-Marco Vasquez

http://ajobonline.com/articles.php?viewCat=2&articleId=13

Cloning a human embryo is now at a "silver standard" it means we are getting closer in perfecting it. In this article it says that cloning is controversial but not in the wrong reasons. Many scientists who cannot practice human cloning in the U.S. have gone to other countries to work with other scientist where the government cannot interfere. They make a brief argument that as we in the U.S. deny this type of research we will one day be looking to other countries for their research of how they did it. The reason we may have to do that is because those scientists are creating these clones to further advance in medical science.

Why should we prevent cloning if is Attempting to solve many medical cures?  should we allow it if its for a greater cause? 

Blood Clotting

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/health/research/hemophilia-b-gene-therapy-breakthrough.html?_r=1&ref=geneticengineering

Summary: This article is about how scientist have created a virus that carries Factor IX to defective genes.  This Factor IX will help the clotting of blood cells.  The disease Hemophilia B is caused from a defect on the X chromosome.  This Factor will help restore the defect.  However, this method is expensive.  The virus is a method of treating the defect but not a cure.  The cost of each injection is 30,000 per person.  Also, the virus carrying the Factor IX has to be different every time it is injected or the body will attack the virus.  Regardless, this is only the beginning of what gene therapy can do for individuals who suffer from genetic defects.
Question: Is it moral for people to use gene therapy to cure themselves of diseases they never wanted?

Aerial Williams- A New Purpose For Tattoos: Warning About Important health Conditions, End-of-life Wishes

Summary:

Tattoos aren't only a fashion statement, but a way to save lives. People have been trading health bracelets with tattoos indicating what kind of health problems they have. For example, doctor Friedlander had a tattoo made saying "no CPR" in case his heart suddenly stops. Others have had tattoos saying they are diabetic. The purpose of medical tattoos are to show paramedics or doctors the health problems of people just in case of emergencies. Medical tattoos have been controversial; some doctors believe that paramedics won't take it seriously but others believe that tattoos would be great for people who frequently lose their medical jewelry. Dr. Saleh Aldasouqi said that regardless of what doctors think, they should at least be aware that people are starting to put they health problems and death wishes on their bodies. 

Question:

Do you think that doctors should replace Medical Jewelry with Tattoos? If not, what would be a better alternative for people sharing their health problems & death wishes?

Link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/a-new-purpose-for-tattoos-warning-about-important-health-conditions-end-of-life-wishes/2012/02/27/gIQArcvJdR_story.html

Samantha Wells- Man with "Locked-in" Syndrome requests lethal Injection

Man with "Locked-in" Syndrome requests lethal Injection

Link to Article: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57363926-10391704/british-man-with-locked-in-syndrome-tony-nicklinson-fights-for-right-to-die/

Summary- Tony Nicklinson has a condition known as "Locked-in" Syndrome. His Body is paralyzed leaving him unable to move or speak but his mind remains fully intact. He communicates by having a computer detect his blinking. Recently he has requested lethal injection to end his life but under U.K. law any doctor that would administrate the injection could be charged for murder or face a mandatory life sentence even if it is at the request of the patient.

Should a person living in conditions like these where they are able to think for themselves but unable to care for themselves and living miserable lives be able to choose to end their life?

Is it ethical to keep someone so miserable alive when it is not what they would choose for themselves?

Marion Cunnane


Breast Cancer: Medical Bills Getting To High?


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27089268/ns/health-health_care/t/breast-cancer-gene-tests-not-worth-price/

Summary:  This article discusses how common breast cancer is, and how desperate women are for an accurate gauge of their risks or diagnosis.  It also comments on how the cost of testing, proving it to be quite expensive, and unaffordable for several people in current time.  It also discusses a few new ways that are being developed to detect breast cancer, along with its prices which start at over $1500.  This is just to detect whether you have cancer or not.


Question:  Have medical bills and prices risen too high or should individuals have to pay these extraordinary amounts to keep themselves healthy?

Procardis: genome wide associaton studies of disease

This is from a podcast from Issues in Bioethics - Oxford Bioethics Network. It can be found in the iTunes store. 

Summery:

• The Procardis project is an example of genomics research, where information from the genome – from across the whole spread of DNA in each individual – is being examined with the aim of improving our understanding of disease.  In Procardis: samples were collected from cases and controls, and also from small family groups. Procardis recruits from European countries, and determine the recruits by age, blood and history of disease. They are all volunteers, and do not get the results other than info about their blood by doing this study. It is considered a Genome-Wide Association study. It takes the human genome and studies 1 million out of 3 billion snips of it to determine if different individuals could have differences in susceptibility to diseases. However, in order to keep research going smooth, researchers share their research for increased efficiency in the research. 

Question: Should people let their DNA be used for research when there is no chance that they will have a reward for their participation?

Britain's Biggest Surrogate Mom: 10 Babies and Counting

Article : http://abcnews.go.com/Health/biggest-surrogate-mom-jill-hawkins-pregnant-9th-10th/story?id=15803413#.T02qZIF2qSo

Summary:     Jill Hawkins, who is a 47 year old single parent is expecting her ninth and tenth child. She has had the case of depression and once threatened suicide. But, she still wants to continue on with having more children. They said they're shocked that doctors still would permit her to continue. Hawkins told the Daily Mail she agreed to help this couple because he looked like actor Kevin Costner. Hawkins invented a boyfriend and then told her bosses the baby died, encouraging her co-workers to send sympathy cards and flowers, according to the Daily Mail.

Question:      Do you think there is a limit when it comes to having children at any given age?

Genomics as the Final Frontier

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/health/views/genomics-as-a-final-frontier-or-just-a-way-station.html?ref=health

Summary:
This article discusses the possibility of the fields of study that deal with our genetic makeup that will revolutionize our society.  Books such as "The Creative Destruction of Medicine" and "Am I My Genes?" point out striking points for some of the sides regarding the continuous research of the human genome.  The healthcare system can be reformed because doctor's will know exactly what is causing the problem, but scenarios such as the world of GATTACA provide some evidence as to how our society will evolve if we know too much about our genetic makeup.  This whole revolution, though, may come in the upcoming years or even the next decade.

Question:
After seeing the movie GATTACA but knowing that insight to our genome could be very beneficial, do you support the continual research of the human genome?

Scientists Use Stem Cells to Generate Human Eggs


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/27/health/research/scientists-use-stem-cells-to-generate-human-eggs.html?ref=health

Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital have extracted stem cells from human ovaries and have successfully made them grow egg cells.  Scientists that this would lead to a method for treating infertility, but would take much longer to achieve and also benefit biologists' understanding of how drugs and nutrition affect egg cells.

The Saitama Medical Center in Japan used the same method on donated human ovaries, donated by women who were undergoing sex reassignment, due to a gender identity disorder.  The team managed to extract stem cells that produced immature eggs that were then injected into mice.  The eggs generated follicles and a single set of chromosomes.  So far, researchers are still no where near being able to use this method on humans successfully, since they have not been able to overcome abnormalities in cells grown in laboratories, but believe that this type of research should still be approached with caution.

Question:
If this method of generating human ovaries was successfully, would this be any different from creating In-Vitro babies?  Or would this be a cure for women who are infertile and unable to use their own eggs?

Margaret: "Google to Sell Heads-Up Display Glasses..."

Link:
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/21/google-to-sell-terminator-style-glasses-by-years-end/?hp

Summary:

This article talks about Google’s new invention, a “computerized” pair of glasses.  This pair of glasses includes a navigational system, a camera/recorder, the ability to web browse, etc.  Because this camera has a camera within the glasses, it becomes virtually impossible to know whether or not one is being recorded.  Google is not the only one secretly creating these technological advances; Apple and other companies are spending millions of dollars for research in this type of field. 

Question:

Do you think that this pair of glasses would benefit or take away from society?  Consider both pros and cons of having this type of technology.  

Antonio Reybol- New Guidelines Planned on School Vending Machines

Antonio Reybol


Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/21/us/politics/new-rules-planned-on-school-vending-machines.html?scp=1&sq=Vending%20machines%20in%20school&st=cse

Summary: This article talks about how the Obama administration is trying to put healthier foods in vending machines at schools.  It is said that 19% - 50% of students daily intake of food are at school.  Because of this, the Obama administration wants to provide healthier foods, especially since childhood obesity has tripled in the past 30 years.  This idea of restricting the food children eat at school has been very controversial because cafeteria food has already been changed from high amounts of sugar, salt and fat foods, to lower amounts.  How much healthy can it get?  Some schools worry that these regulations will affect what is sold in found - raisers because these found - raisers are for sports, music, and art programs.  Also, this may result in not making enough money.  However, not all "unhealthy" foods are banned, the count and amount of fats and what not, are reduced.  For example, foods are served baked, instead of fried, and provide foods that  have low sodium.  The transition of providing and serving healthier foods is still in progress, as we can tell even in our own cafeteria. 

Question: Do you think that it is the Obama administration's responsibility to provide these healthier foods in schools?  As individuals, we have the choice to eat what we want, but do you think if we are surrounded by healthy foods, that we are more likely to eat what is being provided?  Do you think this will lower the percent of obesity?        

Charlotte McGeever - "Women with diabetes warned to take precautions when having a baby"

My February article written by Denis Campbell, health correspondent to The Guardian is called "Women with diabetes warned to take precautions when having a baby". 


Link
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/06/women-diabetes-pregnancy-childbirth


Summary
The article is a report on how diabetic women are almost four times more likely to have a baby with a birth defect. The overall chance of a diabetic (Type I and II) woman having a baby with a birth defect is 7% compared to a 2% chance for females without diabetes. The level of the mother's glucose level at the time of conception is related to the chance of the baby having birth defects. The article mentions how valuable it is for women who are diabetic and are considering having a child to alert their doctors so that appropriate steps can be taken to deliver the healthiest baby possible. Stabilizing the health of diabetics women who have the potential to become pregnant can reduce the risk of birth defects by using insulin pump therapy and continuous monitoring of glucose levels, however it is hard to get every diabetic women in a healthy state before they become pregnant because of socioeconomic barriers.


One question I have


Do you think it is irresponsible for a diabetic woman to have a baby? What about fertile women who have a debilitating mental/ physical condition that is capable of being inherited by the child or capable of producing a birth defect - should they be allowed to have children?

Priscilla De La Rosa, Report Affirms Lifesaving Role of Colonoscopy

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/23/health/colonoscopy-prevents-cancer-deaths-study-finds.html?ref=science

This article talks about how colonoscopy prevents death in many patients, which is one of the few cancers that can be prevented with screening. Death rates have been decreasing since the last 20 years or so and possibly due to the screening tests and better treatments. However, earlier research proved that removing cancerous polyps would reduce colorectal cancer. Although doctors cannot determine which method is best, but they do come to terms that it is important to get tests.

Does removing cancerous polyps really save lives? Should patients be required to take these tests even though it is unpleasant and resistant to have them?

Critical Shortage of Children's Leukemia Drug - Kristy Owyang

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CancerPreventionAndTreatment/critical-shortage-childrens-leukemia-drug/story?id=15557922#.T0QQNYc7Uud

SUMMARY:.

This article is about how there is a shortage of drugs in pharmacies and hospitals for people with acute leukemia and that they do not know why it is really happening. This drug is the only one that is really effective in injecting int he spinal cord unlike other kinds of drugs. Some places like hospitals are down to a few more until they completely run out to give to others. It is making things worse for the patients and they could possibly die because there isnt enough to give out. Obama is trying to reduce the shortage of this drugs. 

Questions:

Would it be consider murdered if the leukemia patients die because they company that supply the drugs dont give the hospital or pharmacies enough medicine to help the patients? 

Federal rule would ease access for face, hand transplants

Link: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/01/23/prsc0123.htm

The article talk about the recent medical advancements that allow people to receive face, hand, and all other kinds of transplants. Specifically, this will really benefit veterans who were wounded in the war. Body pars such as hands and faces will be part of organ donation, and in order to get one a person will be put on a national waiting list, the same way they would if they were receiving a heart or kidney.

Even though these procedures have helped a lot of people perform daily tasks as normally as possible, has plastic surgery gone to far? How far is far enough?

Rachel Lee - DNA Turning Human Story Into a Tell-All

Scientists have recently discovered the tip of a girl's 40,000 year old pinky finger in a Siberian cave. Using advanced technology, they found out that modern humans have encountered at least two groups of ancient humans. They encountered the Neanderthals and the Denisovans The Neanderthals lived in Europe and Asia and the Denisovans lived in Asia. Both groups disappeared around the same time which was 30,000 years ago. Scientists have compared different genomes and have come to the conclusion that people outside of Africa have an average of 2.5% Neanderthal DNA, and people from parts of Oceania have about 5% Denisovan DNA. This is the result of modern humans interbreeding with the Neanderthals and the Denisovans. Scientists are trying to figure out where the mating took place, and are also trying to find out more information about the Denisovans.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/science/gains-in-dna-are-speeding-research-into-human-origins.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=health

Do you find this article very interesting? Why or why not?

Unnatural selection: Is evolving reproductive technology ushering in a new age of eugenics?

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/pregnancy/pregnancy-trends/unnatural-selection-is-evolving-reproductive-technology-ushering-in-a-new-age-of-eugenics/article2294636/singlepage/#articlecontent

Summary: Like the movie Gattaca, we are now moving into a time where people are able to make babies that have certain features.  For instance, a couple could choose to have their baby be male, blue eyes and brown hair.  Like in the movie, DNA readers a being made to read what traits the baby would have.  The ability to have such power of a future child blurs the line between health and enhancement.  However, with this technology, the world would be free of genetic diseases and other such problems.  This defies the natural selection order, and it will be our next step in evolution.

Question: Should humans use the ability to defy natural selection?

No Transplant for Dying Illegal Immigrant Dad

Link: http://www.mercurynews.com/census/ci_19856536

Summary: This article features an Oakland man who is denied a kidney transplant because of his legal status as a citizen. According the the article, UC San Francisco Medical Center administrators are denying a transplant because they are afraid that the man would not receive enough care after the transplant. The man, Jesus Navarro, has private medical insurance, and his wife is willing to give up her kidney. Navarro has a wife, and a three year old daughter.

Question: Why pay for medical insurance, when one would be denied a transplant, due to their legal status? Do insurance companies do a background check for its insureds?

Marion Cunnane- Bioethics of Human Engineering


Article:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4958965


Summary:
This article and podcast discuss the bioethics of human engineering.  It discusses the advances in medicine and technology, giving us the ability to genetically alter things like height or weight.  Also, it states how in the near future we will be able to fix our babies before they're born, if they have a deformity or a disease.


Question:
This article immediately brought me to question the fiscal impact of genetic engineering, how much will these processes cost?

Aerial Williams: Bioethics and Child Testing By: Jennifer Ludden

Summary: 
Ever since 1981, children were allowed to participate in studies that determines whether or not a certain product or drug can be put out on the market. There are no age limits to whoever can participate, meaning that the younger they are, the harder it would be to explain them the risks of the product or drug. In order for a child to participate in a study,  all there needs to be is the child's permission as well as the parent's. There has been regulations from both the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration that makes sure that children are getting protected during those services.


Question:
Do you think that children that are between the ages of 5-7 years old should be allowed to participate in drug studies? Why or Why not?

Link:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4662113

Monkey Embryo Mashup Results In First Primate Chimeras

 http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-01/monkey-embryo-mashup-results-first-primate-chimeras

Scientists in some lab have recently been able to create monkey chimeras (conceived with different sex cells ) using stem cells gathered from two different rhesus monkeys. By combining the stem cells while the monkey was still a zygote (early stage of an embryo) a chimera primate was born. A specific type of stem cell was needed for the chimera to be produced, totipotent cells. Totipotent cells have the possibility to form any cell of the body. The stem cells made in laboratories, pluripotent cells, do not have the same capibility. While pluripotent cells can form into cells a body can use, it cannot form a whole new animal as shown in the monkey chimera.

This experiment shows that grown stem cells are not the same as embryonic stem cells. If so, is it still ethical to to use embryonic stem cells in research? would it be ethical to create a human chimera?

Margaret Chu: Gingrich's Views on Stem-Cell Research

Margaret Chu 

NEWT GINGRICH'S VIEWS ON STEM-CELL RESEARCH

LINK:  
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gingrich-vows-to-ban-embryonic-stem-cell-research-questions-in-vitro-practices/2012/01/29/gIQAIO9saQ_story.html?tid=pm_politics_pop


SUMMARY:  
Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich explains why he is completely against stem-cell research.  As a strict Catholic, Gingrich is against stem-cell research, a process by which  multipurpose cells of embryos are used to help the sick (brain damage, bone marrow transplantations, etc.)  Stem-cells are special because these are cells that can eventually develop into any type of cell (once a cell becomes a heart cell, a skin cell, etc, it can no longer become another type of cell). Gingrich vows that he would not allow or fund any more stem-cell research, even if the research is done on embryos that would eventually be thrown away.  


QUESTION:
Do you think that it is ethical for doctors to possibly save someone else's life at the price of an embryo's life?  Some claim that embryos are not humans because they have not developed yet, while others claim that an embryo is considered alive from the day that it was conceived.  Is it fair to take away the life of an embryo, a possible human being in order to save the life of someone that has already lived?  

Forced abortion for a mentally ill woman?

Article link:
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/19/10192109-forced-abortion-for-a-mentally-ill-woman-no-way-says-mass-appeals-court#.Txh_rZfx678.mailto

Summary:
 This article is about a mentally ill women being forced to get an abortion. People were angered by this, stating that a woman should be able to control what she wants to do with her body. Since the drugs that stablalize this mentally ill women will harm the baby, doctors had suggested that stopping her psychiatric medications. However, that would put her at serious risk and plunge her "deeper into madness."

Question:
If a mentally ill person is incapable of being stable without drugs, should an abortion be forced upon her in order not to harm herself and the baby?

Cynthia Kenyon: Experiments that hint of longer lives

Video Link:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/cynthia_kenyon_experiments_that_hint_of_longer_lives.html

Summary:
Cynthia Kenyon is a biochemist that found a gene mutation that can double the lifespan of a tiny worm called C. elegans. In an experiment, Kenyon has discovered that Daf-2, the mutation gene, is what caused the worm's lifespan to double. She discovered that certain hormones control the aging process. She has proposed, with this new knowledge of prolonging life, that one day scientists will be able to prolong life. Her experiment was not made to eliminate death but to "extend youthful human life."

Question:
If scientists discover a way to prolong human life, what positive/negative effects will it have on society?