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?
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
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
Question:
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.
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?
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?
Friday, February 24, 2012
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?
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?
Thursday, February 23, 2012
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?
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?
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Critical Shortage of Children's Leukemia Drug - Kristy Owyang
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?
Sunday, February 5, 2012
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?
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