That’s Gotta Hurt
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Tag Archives: medicine
The Lazy Generation
Researchers Say A Pill May Someday Replace Sweaty Workouts For The Health Conscious
"That ultimate fantasy of the couch potato may become a reality some day, according to researchers who have found the chemical pathways muscle cells use to build strength and endurance. With this basic knowledge in hand, it now may be possible to develop a pill that pumps up muscle cells without all that exercise, said Dr. R. Sanders Williams, dean of the Duke University of School of Medicine and senior author of a study appearing Friday in the journal Science."
OK, this instant-gratification, all of the pleasure with none of the work, lazy, apathetic society we live in is really starting to bug me. This CNN article talks about a breakthrough that would make the Jetsons proud. Soon we'll be able to get fit without exercising. Great, thanks to the marvels of modern medical science, the couch potato generation will have no reason what so ever to get off their lazy butts and venture out into the Big Blue Room (ie the real world – not to be confused with an unimaginative, voyeuristic, teeny-bopper "reality TV" show).
It seems to me that it was once considered common sense and popular wisdom that we only really appreciate the good things in life when we have to work for them. I really hope this breakthrough gets used only for the genuine medical applications mentioned in the article. I've had just about enough of this gluttonous, hedonistic society.
Disposable Babies
The Dolly scientists aren't content with an arthritic cloned sheep. They now want permission to clone human embryonic cells. One of these days, I'll update this site with links to information about the bioethical considerations of stem cell and cloning research, as well as what hasn't gone quite right with Dolly.
Dolly the Sheep Scientists Turn to Human Embryos
"The scientists who cloned Dolly the sheep said on Thursday they plan to seek permission to experiment on human embryos for medical purposes. In a move expected to raise concerns from some religious groups, the Roslin Institute will apply for a license to the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, the British government body that regulates embryo research."
Pregnancy and Minors’ Right to Privacy
Pregnancy Notification Policy Alarms Some Health Experts
“A revised regulation that directs Howard County school officials to notify parents when students reveal they are pregnant has drawn criticism from health experts who say it violates a young woman’s right to privacy and jeopardizes health care.”
My two cents? Children are guaranteed no right to privacy with regard to their parents or legal guardians. Parental rights trump the personal privacy rights of children.