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?
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
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?
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?
Thursday, April 26, 2012
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?
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?...
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?
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?
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?
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?
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Sunday, April 22, 2012
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
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
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
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
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?
Friday, April 13, 2012
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?
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!
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!
Friday, April 6, 2012
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?
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?
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
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?
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?
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
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?
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?
Monday, April 2, 2012
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.htmlThis 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?
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?
Sunday, April 1, 2012
"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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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