Technology, Saving Lives One Advancement at a Time!

For years, our society has witnessed the great developments in technology that has immensely improved our lives in numerous ways. Technology advances has significantly benefited our world, from entertainment, to everyday convenience and efficiency, to agriculture, and most importantly, in the medical field. Nowadays, doctors and researchers have the ability to view and understand our internal body systems. Not to mention, detect and control diseases, as well as develop a variety of medication and find appropriate cures for these diseases. 

Cancer has been around for as long as human kind has. Some of the earliest evidence of cancer has been found in fossilized bone tumours, ancient manuscripts, and the Egyptian mummies. The oldest description of cancer was discovered in Egypt and dates back to about 1600 B.C., which described cases of tumours, or ulcers of the breast, that were treated by cauterization using the tool “fire drill”. It was also recorded that there was no treatment for the disease. However, to better understand cancer, autopsies were performed in 1628 by Harvey. A century later, anaesthesia allowed surgery to flourish and cancer operations such as radical mastectomy was developed. The 19^th century saw the use of modern microscope in studying diseased tissues which allowed understanding of cancer’s damage and later helped with the development of cancer surgery. The 20^th and 21^st century saw the greatest progression in cancer research. During these centuries, a variety of cancer treatments including surgery, hormone therapy, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy were developed. Technology involving cancer screenings as well as, early detection and prevention of cancer were also developed.

One of the greatest technological advancements in medical history is the development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which not only screens and detects cancer, but also allows doctors to diagnose multiple sclerosis, brain tumours, torn ligaments, tendonitis, and various other health issues. MRI is an imaging technique which uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce high quality images of the inside of the human body. In 1977, physician and scientist, Dr. Raymond Damadien produced the first MRI machine. It has certainly revolutionized medicine since it is known to be non-invasive, which means it does not require skin incision, insertion of any instruments, or medical, while allowing doctors to view diseases that, in the past, could only be found at surgery or autopsy.

It is evident that technology has played a vital role in the medical field. Technological advancements, such as the MRI has improved society’s way of life. We are now given access to the appropriate treatment that needed in a more efficient way, without having to undergo greater pain. It has, more importantly, saved the lives of many. There is no surprise that medical advancements are still develop, with hopes to rid of all diseases in the present, as well prevent those in the future.

WORKS CITED LIST

"Learn About Cancer." American Cancer Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 May 2011. 

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerBasics/TheHistoryofCancer/index

"How MRI Works." Discover: Fit & Health. Discovery Communications, LLC, n.d. Web. 9 May 2011

http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/tests-treatment/mri.htm

"MRI of the Body." Radiologyinfo.org: The Radiology Information Resource for Patients. Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (RSNA), n.d. Web. 9 May 2011. 

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodymr

"Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI Scan)." MedecineNet.com. MedicineNet, Inc., n.d. Web. 9 May 2011. 

http://www.medicinenet.com/mri_scan/article.htm

"Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR or MR)." Children's Hospital Boston. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 May 2011.

http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2131/mainpageS2131P9.html

 COMMENTED BLOGS

Michelle Seguin

http://seguin-biologyblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/who-would-of-thought-biosolids-as.html?showComment=1304933317866#c4121778906051770533

Claudia Luk

http://claudia-d-123.blogspot.com/2010/12/first-in-canada-to-use-endoscopic.html?showComment=1304933747162#c8287785316962824607

Sustainable Agriculture: The Future of Farming?

Increased productivity, greater profits, and reduced cost. It is no wonder why some may consider the industrial shift in agriculture as one of the greatest successes in human history. Nonetheless, with our focus to increase productivity and profitability, we have greatly disregarded the consequences this innovation has brought to our economy, biodiversity and environment for the future years to come. 

Since agriculture and food production are essential factors to human survival, agriculturalists, through the use of technology, began to develop efficient and innovative ways to improve the production of food for our world’s growing population. These methods, which have become dominant in our society, evolved to what we now call as “Industrial Agriculture”.  This type of intensive farming involves the purchase of machinery in order to reduce human and animal labour. Farmers today have the ability to produce an adequate amount of crops and livestock, while minimizing cost, the labour and the amount of production time. There is no doubt that industrial agriculture is beneficial. However, when looking at the pros and cons, it seems that its benefits cannot outweigh the disadvantages.

But, how much do we actually know about these methods? We adore the idea of having access to cheap and abundant foods.However, we tend to disregard its negative impacts to society.With our growing population and high demand in food production, the agricultural industry has encouraged industrialization to keep up with this rapid growth, and even go further to provide us with more than enough food than we need. It seems that our greed has pushed us to desire more, even if it means jeopardizing lives. Modernized farming violates animal rights since livestock, such as cows, pigs and chickens are placed in small, filthy conditions where they are vulnerable to infectious diseases, until they are finally slaughtered for our next meal. It also requires the immense use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, genetic manipulation, and irrigation water. These methods result to pollution, the depletion of earth’s ozone layer, crops’ vulnerability to insects and diseases, increased production cost, extinction of wildlife, erosion of soil’s natural fertility, loss of diversity, ground water contamination, and health risks due to chemical intake.

Alternatively, sustainable agriculture allows us to receive similar benefits without risking our planet’s well-being. This type of farming focuses on the environmental health by conserving all resources and minimizing waste, while attempting to address social concerns and improve economic profitability. Its main goal is to produce food without the excessive use of chemicals, which avoids health risks and production costs. Hence, why even allow industrial farming?

With the numerous benefits it has brought to our lives, we tend to ignore the even greater downsides industrial agriculture has on our global economy, not to mention, our environment and the biodiversity we so preciously are attempting to maintain. It is time for us to put action to fix the damages caused by industrial farming. Thus we must tell ourselves and others that sustainable farming is the only way to go!

WORKS CITED LIST:

"What is Sustainable Agriculture?" UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. 

http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/concept.htm

"The Costs and Benefits of Induatrial Agriculture." Alberni Environmental Coalition. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. 
http://www.portaec.net/library/food/costs_and_benefits_of_industrial.html
"Industrial Agriculture." Economy Watch . N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. 
http://www.economywatch.com/agriculture/types/industrial.html
 
"Advantages of Industrial Agriculture." Bright Hub. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. 
http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/73606.aspx 

"Advantages and Disadvantages Organic Farming: Good Things, Barriers and Environmental Effect"Fantastic Farms. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2011. 
http://www.small-farm-permaculture-and-sustainable-living.com/advantages_and_disadvantages_organic_farming.html

COMMENTED BLOGS:

Dyrosha Ithayaneesen

http://dyrosha-bioblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/feeding-growing-population-vs.html?showComment=1301356591210#c2730629290114731929

Kendra Spencer-Cole

http://itsbiotime.blogspot.com/2011/01/industrial-vs-sustainable-agriculture.html?showComment=1301356812024#c2336582292284775283

"Congratulations! Its a Vesace!"... Are we misusing science and technology?

When we think of the word “designer”, the thought of tangible goods comes to mind; handbags, shoes, etc. “Designer babies” defines our society as materialistic due to our obsession to strive for something non existent- perfection. Though the thought of “designer babies” seems ridiculous, this innovation does have a positive impact to our society. However, to properly analyze this issue we must ask ourselves: What are its effects on society? Is the process ethical? Is it safe to human beings?                   

 

 

                                                                                                                         

    

                                                       Notice anything that does NOT belong?

Down syndrome is one of the 6000 known genetic disorders which can be detected through genetic testing. There is no doubt that with our developing technology, it will eventually be possible to abolish these genetic disorders. Genetic manipulation, a process in which a child’s genotypes are unnaturally selected using advanced technology, basically allow us to discard possible genetic disease and choose the child’s physical characteristics.

                                                

Genetic manipulation can be achieved through the use of In Vitro Fertilization. IVF is the procedure in which the egg cell and the sperm cells are brought together in a laboratory dish, allowing the sperm cell to fertilize the egg. The fertilized egg will begin to divide and an embryo which is implanted into the woman’s womb is formed. Another process, Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis, detects changes in embryos created through IVF, and allows doctors to select the desired characteristics and dispose of the “unwanted” embryo.

A microscopic image of a needle (left) injecting 
sperm cells directly into a human egg (center).

A microscopic look at embryo biopsy during Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

     

Since genetic manipulation reduces our world’s genetic diseases, shouldn’t it be encouraged in our society? Well, our society must consider the pros and cons to enact correct laws. A transhumanist may compare it to abortion and may argue that restricting it would violate reproduction freedom. Individuals with strong religious beliefs may argue that it would be “playing God”. Additionally, the procedure is extremely costly, about $18, 000, and can interfere with genetic variation. Thus, scientists might argue that endorsing it would result to a world of inequality and discrimination. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the procedure is risk free making it unreliable.

           

Genetic manipulation could be one of the greatest medical advancements in human history. Although, I feel that laws must restrict the use of this process for anything other than medical purposes. We should not be given the freedom to choose the physical characteristics of our children. Children require love regardless of how they look on the outside, thus the use of this advancement for cosmetic reasons is extremely absurd.  It would raise too many unnecessary issues to our already problematic society due to its uncertainty for safety, interference with variation, creation of inequality and discrimination, violation towards religious beliefs and the immense amount of cost for research which instead can be used to find cures for other diseases or towards global issues like poverty. To conclude, access to advanced technologies should not be used as an excuse for our choices. By choosing to conceive a child, one is generally taking on several responsibilities, including taking the risk for abnormalities and loving that child unconditionally despite of deformities. 

WORKS CITED LIST:

1. Agar, Nicholas. "Designer Babies: Ethical Considerations." ActionBioscience.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2010.

http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/agar.html

2. "Design-a-baby?" Bionet: Explore Life Sciences and Debate the Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2010.

http://www.bionetonline.org/english/content/db_cont1.htm

3. "Designer Baby Row Over Clinic That Offers Eye, Skin and Hair Colour." The Telegraph. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2010.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/4885836/Designer-baby-row-over-clinic-that-offers-eye-skin-and-hair-colour.html

4. "Genetic Disease Information - Pronto!" Human Genome Project Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2010.

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/medicine/assist.shtml

5. "What Are The Types of Genetic Tests?" Genetics Home Reference: Your Guide To Understanding Genetic Conditions . N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2010.
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/uses

6. "In Vitro Fertilization ." Encyclopedia of Surgery . N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2010.

http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/Fi-La/In-Vitro-Fertilization.html

COMMENTED BLOGS:

http://annalikesbio.blogspot.com/2010/11/designer-babies-ethical-or-unethical.html?showComment=1292477643130#c1397514093957117595

http://mwbioblogs.blogspot.com/2010/12/designer-babies-saving-people-or.html?showComment=1292479143506#c5353486582007694321

Our Planet Needs Help. Stop Climate Change!

Climate change has been an ongoing environmental issue which our world is currently undergoing. Unfortunately, it is the development of our lifestyles which has been the ultimate cause of this issue. Due to our greed and lack of awareness, we have caused our own planet and the species in it to suffer.

Climate change has certainly negatively impacted our biodiversity. It has affected our ecosystems, species’ ability to adapt to their environment and us. The rapid shift in climate has caused the reduction in coverage and thickness of ice in the Artic and Antarctic region. Examples would include the thinning of Artic ice and the diminishing of Greenland glaciers. The melting of ice has altered the salinity and temperature of the ocean water, the ocean circulation which affects biodiversity beyond the Artic, and the productivity of planktons, birds, fishes and marine mammals. Furthermore, climate change has jeopardized human well-being. It is predicted that if climate change were to continue, food shortages due to change in agricultural production, changes in water sources, and increased death rates due to disease and extreme weather conditions, would occur.

Greenland's melting ice

World's dead aquatic zones due to climate change.

On the other hand, while humans have done much damage to our planet, we have also realized that to better the future of our planet, we must take initiative to develop a “greener” environment. An international organization recognized as Greenpeace, whose purpose is to inform governments and industries of global environmental issues and its causes, seek to protect biodiversity, to prevent pollution, to end nuclear threats and to promote peace. Greenpeace Canada has created “How to Save the Climate”, a guide which gives details on what we can do to protect the climate. The organization has also developed a campaign known as “Energy [R]evolution” with the intention to reduce carbon emissions while attaining economic growth through the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy. In addition, this campaign offers benefits such as independence from world market fuel prices, energy security and efficiency, and the creation of new green jobs. It is already predicted that 12.5 million jobs would be created by 2015 and that the carbon emissions in 1990 would be lower than 80% by 2050.

One of Greenpeace's logo

Predicted carbon emissions per capita from 2007-2050

I certainly consider this organization to bring a positive impact to our society. Not only does it bring awareness and educate us of the environmental issues that our world deals with on a day-to-day basis, but it encourages us to better our world for the future generations. Greenpeace Canada has given us the opportunity to get involved in this important cause through campaigns, volunteer and donations. If you are interested in doing so, please visit http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/ and always remember that you are only one click away to a healthier and greener planet!

WORK'S CITED LIST:

1. "The Energy [R]evolution." Greenpeace Canada. N.p., 2010. Web. 14 Oct. 2010.

 < http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/climate-change/energyrevolution/ >. 

2. "Climate Change Is Already Impacting Biodiversity." BirdLife International. N.p., 2008. Web. 14 Oct. 2010. 

< http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/sowb/pressure/46.html >. 

3. "Biodiversity and Climate Change 2000: Changing Oceans - Effects on Biodiversity." United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2010.

 < http://www.unep-wcmc.org/climate/oceans/biodiv.aspx >. 

4. "Climate Change Affects Biodiversity ." Global Issues: Social, Political, Economic, and Environmental Issues That Affect Us All . N.p., 2010. Web. 15 Oct. 2010. 

 < http://www.globalissues.org/article/172/climate-change-affects-biodiversity >.

5. "Climate Change: Health and Environmental Effects." United States Environmental Protection Agency. N.p., 15 Oct. 2009. Web. 14 Oct. 2010. 

< http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/effects/eco_animals.html >. 

COMMENTED BLOGS:

http://annalikesbio.blogspot.com/2010/09/wetland-conservation.html#comments
http://kimm-allison.blogspot.com/2010/10/go-beyond-oil.html#comments