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?