Henrietta Lacks And Bioethics

Henrietta Lacks is arguably the most important woman to the advancement of biology to ever have lived. Mrs. Lacks was diagnosed at 29 in 1951 with Stage 1 invasive cervical cancer. Married mother of 5, Lacks turned to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland when she began spotting well prior to her menstruation cycle and discovered a lump on her cervix (“The miracle woman,” 2010). Her first treatment was given right after a biopsy that neither she nor her husband consented to. Three months later, she died (“The miracle woman,” 2010). Mrs. Lacks cells produced the first immortal cell, dividing at such a rate that an entire generation was born in just 24 hours (“The story of,” 2010). Coined “HeLa” cells, Henrietta’s cells have been used to test the effect of chemotherapy, develop methods for cloning, gene mapping and in-vitro fertilization (“Five reasons henrietta,” 2010). They helped produce treatments for polio (“Five reasons henrietta,” 2010), influenza, herpes, Parkinson’s, hemophilia, leukemia and lactose intolerance(Skloot, 2010). Because of her biopsy scientists have come to understand the intricacies of DNA and the effects of zero-gravity on human cells and can be attributed to the clinical trials currently in place for a cancer treatment (Skloot, 2010). In a short period of time after discovering the immortality of “HeLa” cells, they became the standard for research sold to labs all over the world (“The story of,” 2010). And even though the pathologist and doctor taking the biopsy has profited millions of dollars by selling her tissues all over the world (NPR, 2010), her family knew nothing of her contribution until 25 years later when scientists sought to test their cells for similar properties (Skloot, 2010). In fact, early publications briefly mentioned Henrietta in journals and text books as “Helen Lane (Skloot, 2010),” referencing no more than her condition perhaps to protect the lack of authorization of the pathologist who biopsied her.

The outrage of Henrietta’s family, a group of people who could not afford health insurance despite the immense fortune Henrietta’s cells was responsible for, was well documented in special interest magazines, such as Ebony, despite Henrietta’s absence from medical journals, and laid the foundation for an establishment of bioethics, at least the matter that handles the importance of consent and credit where it is due. Also, as a contribution to epidemiology, this is a perfect example of balancing research of a condition with ways to treat it (Outram, 2011).

I definitely see purpose in bioethics, within reason. In my opinion that doctor and pathologist had absolutely no right to benefit financially from “HeLa” cells. The first manner of business when their properties were identified should have been to notify Mrs. Lacks of their discovery, attempt further treatment with their findings and offer negotiations for the continued use. Perhaps she could have supplied further samples, her family could have been involved earlier and the “HeLa” cells could have been supplied throughout the scientific community free of charge. I would think it is public opinion that making millions of dollars off of “stolen property” is not just unethical, it is also fraud. I understand that had she not consented and her wishes were respected, that we would not be where we are today as far as our understanding of medicine and human processes, but at the very least a profit should not have been made regarding the sale of “HeLa” cells.

In regards to other bioethics issues, I feel this discipline has a responsibility to protect the individual rights of the patient and "donor," as well as the safety and well-being of the public. I do not, however, think that morals and ethics should be based on any religious beliefs. I do not believe that religion has any place in science, in fact, I believe it to be a detriment to the advancement of science. Morals, without religious belief, are perfectly capable of protecting the public as well as individual patient rights.

As an afterthought, I was unable to find even a mention of bioethics or epidemiology in the index of our text book. Curious.

References:

Five reasons henrietta lacks is the most important woman in medical history [Web log message]. (2010, February 05). Retrieved from http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-01/five-reasons-henrietta-lacks-most-important-woman-medical-history

‘Henrietta lacks': A donor's immortal legacy [Web series episode]. (2010) In NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2010/02/02/123232331/henrietta-lacks-a-donors-immortal-legacy

Outram, S. M. (2011). Epidemiology and bioethics: A plea for reconnecting with the public. REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTÉ PUBLIQUE, 102, 4-6. Retrieved from ProQuest.
Skloot, R. (2010). The immortal life of henrietta lacks. New York, NY: Crown. Epilogue. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2010/02/02/123232331/henrietta-lacks-a-donors-immortal-legacy

The miracle woman. (2010), O : The Oprah Magazine, 11(2), 159. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/219581652?accountid=8289

The story of henrietta lacks & modern medical research, this week on sound medicine - office of public and media relations. (2011, May 24). IU Medicine Communications. Retrieved from http://communications.medicine.iu.edu/newsroom/stories/2011/the-story-of-henrietta-lacks-and-modern-medical-research-this-we/

Classic Lame Rant

It is shocking how advocates for opposition of any environmental, education or viable economic movements seem to have a complete disregard for the future. Politicians, I can, perhaps, see (with so many degrees of separation from those of us who would be immediately and monumentally affected) how they can argue with a sufficient vocabulary, skirting the important details with big words and false patriotism. However, I find it repulsive: the "common" people like you and I, the average-American, taking these figure-head's words as gospel, all the while nodding with goofy grins on their faces and a look of adoration in their eye. These people are not patriots. They are bigots. They are oppressors and you & I? The oppressed.

These lazy, greedy politicians will feed the public half-truths and when they are not balanced with the right opposition, our creature comforts get the best of us. Who are these opponents? Why have I not heard these names? Press, media, promotion and occasional word of mouth is where you get your political beliefs unless you PURSUE them or are lucky enough to have someone in your life who does. Recognize that those with the most pull have campaigns funded, or, at the very least aided, by the richest corporations and churches in the nation, therefore A MAJOR THEME is occurring in our government... consider this, though.. THE CURRENT METHOD IS NOT WORKING. HENCE economic decline, POINT spreading political activism, public outrage, civil disobedience, etc.

I understand that nature displays, very clearly, the famed survival of the fittest. I get it. I see value in recognition of phenomenal efforts and achievement. However, I don't view deliberately allowing the destruction and compromised quality of what we all require to thrive. Isn't that a form of manslaughter? Why aren't these people held accountable? Perhaps my perspective is a bit extreme. Haha

I began my pursuit in Environmental studies because the more I learned from a scientific perspective, the more the world made sense to me and the more beautiful and exciting the universe became, but people continue to elude me. We're not stupid as a species, but somehow we are just alright with being ignorant sometimes, and that is disturbing.

A Look @ Biodiversity

I agree that when compared to the efforts going toward preserving endangered species, that the decline versus the recovery is absolutely stifling, however, research from this decade suggests that positive results are on the rise (Jeffery, Kiernan, Martin, Rachlinski, Suckling & Taylor, 2011). In regards to the Endangered Species Act, it was documented throughout the 1990’s that recovery starts to become a realistic goal the longer a species remained on the endangered species list (Jeffery, Kiernan, Martin, Rachlinski, Suckling & Taylor, 2011). What is the price of quality living? What is the price of life? I believe those are questions one need ask oneself when considering opposition of any brand of environmental reform. The fact is, as of 2010, the evidence of a need for further environmental reform is undeniable.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in 2010 12% of all birds, 21% of mammals, 28% of reptiles, 37% of fresh-water fish, 50% of amphibians, and a horrifying 70% of botanical species are in danger of extinction and actual number are on the rise, daily (Godoy, 2010). According to the World Wildlife Fund, (WWF) 27% of known species vanished between the years of 1970 and 2005 (Godoy, 2010). Europe’s TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) suggest loss of 7.2 billion USD between the years of 2000 and 2050, attributed to the decline in biodiversity (Godoy, 2010).

From a biological perspective, biodiversity is essential in maintaining the biosphere and sustaining life on our planet. The decimation of biological diversity, in turn, complicates research and developmental possibilities, including future and present preventative measures (Alters & Alters, 2008). From a personal stand point, not only would my nutrition and that of my children be compromised in a life with limited biodiversity, also, the economy would fail to recover causing further hardship in the lives of my loved ones as well as myself, but as a nature enthusiast, seeing our planet in any worse shape than it is presently would be devastating to say the least (Godoy, 2010). Nutrition will suffer when crops begin to fail because of harsh conditions and a lack of pollenating species, the economy will deteriorate with the crops and when poor nutrition has many people out of work because of a difficulty recovering from illness and injury(Jeffery, Kiernan, Martin, Rachlinski, Suckling & Taylor, 2011). That being said, I certainly would be willing to put economic gains on hold to preserve the environment. Of course, I see that as a temporary but necessary chiseling of the economy.

Preservation to the necessary extent will be a lengthy and involved process that will take man-power on many different levels, and it is, therefore, my belief that these changes will eventually boost the economy (Jeffery, Kiernan, Martin, Rachlinski, Suckling & Taylor, 2011).


References:

Alters. , & Alters, (2008). Biology: Understanding life. (pp. 741-753). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Godoy, J. (2010). Biodiversity: 'pious words won't save endangered species'. United
States, New York: Global Information Network. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/457553476?accountid=8289

Jeffery, J., Kiernan , F., Martin, M., Rachlinski, , Suckling, , & Taylor, (2005). The effectiveness of the endangered species act: a quantitative analysis. Bioscience, 55(4), 360-366.

Samhain Plans

Trick Or Treat:
Thanks to my amazing step-grama we were able to get the kids good costumes for Halloween- and for the first time in quite a few years, I have a new costume as well. Lylie is going to be a ballerina princess (her new favorite color is purple and we found the perfect outfit & accessories), and Taven is going to be Iron Man (which he picked over spider man AND optimus prime). They're both very excited about their costumes, but Taven is having a hard time being patient about it. My costume, which I've dubbed "Dahlia the goth faery," consists of wings, a wig and fishnet arm-warmers.

I think we're going to go trick-or-treating at my sister-in-law's house with my nieces and nephew, which I am excited about since we missed the pumpkin carving! Speaking of which, I need to carve mine, this week.

Get togethers:
I am trying to organize a potluck lunch for Sunday with locals I have gathered from craigslist and witchvox who are interested in paganism. So far I have found two recipes I want try out. The first is cranberry glazed sweet potatoes which makes my mouth water. The second is butternut squash & cheese polenta. Both require baking which I am a bit nervous about, being that I don't do it often. I'm am thinking about making a turkey ham as well, but I haven't decided.

Also, we're supposed to go see Tapered Mind in concert Sunday night!! That being said, I need to get on this midterm!! Haha

MERRY SAMHAIN!!

Happy Ho0owwloween, boys & ghouls!

Vascular dermal tissue vs. human integument

The dermal tissue of a vascular plant and the integument of the human body are similar in function for the following reasons:

1) Both the dermal tissue and the integument are a barrier, protecting the organs contained within the plant/body (Alters & Alters, 2008).

2) Both the dermal tissue and the integument have a means to combat ultraviolet radiation’s possible damage (Alters & Alters, 2008).

a) The dermal tissue of a vascular plant produces “hairs” called trichomes that reflect light (Alters & Alters, 2008).

i) Trichomes cover the dermal tissue much like vellus hair (fine white hairs) covers the human integument (Alters & Alters, 2008).

b) The integument produces melanin, a chemical which absorbs UV rays (Alters & Alters, 2008).

3) Epidermal cells have a waxy layer called the “cuticle” that protects the plant from water loss, the human equivalent would be the sebum (oil) secreted by the sebaceous gland in the hair follicles, although human skin is essentially what keeps the bodily fluids contained (Alters & Alters, 2008).

4) Stomata are the “pores” of vascular plants. They release water in a process called “transpiration (Bishop).”

The dermal tissue of vascular plants and the integument of the human body differ in function in the following ways:

1) Firstly, sebum is mainly for clearing the hair follicle (Rudh, 2011), while the cuticle of dermal tissue serves the aforementioned purpose of retaining water (Bishop).

2) Vellus hair catches bacteria to reduce the chance of infection (Milady's standard cosmetology, 2008), while trichomes, as I mentioned, reflect light and are also, sometimes, a protection from predators.

3) Human pores release waste products through sweat (Milady's standard cosmetology, 2008), stomata only release water .

4) Human integument is a sensory surface where dermal tissue does not as there is no vascular plant-equivalent to a nervous system (Alters & Alters, 2008).

5) Human integument is elastic, therefore, it expands and contracts according to movement, whereas dermal tissue is rigid (Alters & Alters, 2008).

6) Human integument has the ability to regulate temperature and produce vitamin D, which indirectly aids bone development, while vascular plants temperature and food source rely wholly on the sun (Alters & Alters, 2008).

References:
Alters, B., & Alters, S. (2008).Biology: understanding life. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Bishop, T. (n.d.). Virtual lab: plant transpiration. Retrieved from http://mhlearningsolutions.com/apu_biologylabs/planttranspiration/index.html

(2008). Milady's standard cosmetology textbook . New York, NY: Milad'ys Publishing Corporation.

Rudh, A. (2011, January 3).Sebaceous glands- location, functions and pictures. Retrieved from http://www.primehealthchannel.com/sebaceous-glands-location-functions-and-pictures.html

Sociological Experiment At Home

So, I have noticed a few things about my children, in regards to discipline, over the past year. Here goes:

We're a bit old fashioned and have used corporal punishment in the past. Never with paddles or "weapons" of any kind, just a swat to the behind as a last resort on occasion or a flick to the lip if the mouth gets out of control. In all actuality, I've realized that this tends to be more laziness than a real last resort.

After my brief and limited education in psychology and lots of experience with my children and others' children, I have come to realize that other things are more effective in the long run, they just take more time and patience until they take effect.
The most helpful advice I can offer the parents of a toddler who is less than well-behaved is a stable reward system. A few other things that can help are structure and routine at home, non-negotiable family time on a regular basis, a constant dialogue about the morals and values you want to instill, and regular chances for creative expression.

Stable Reward System:
By this I mean only that you should use rewards regularly to motivate your children to use good manners, practice good hygiene, help out around the house or any other little thing you'd like to get them to do.

My methods:
I use anything my kids like as a reward, television, candy, certain toys that require supervision, even going outside to play. When I was having the toughest of times with them, I dropped $50 at the dollar store and purchased a ton of tiny toys and a bin for rewarding good behavior on a daily and weekly basis. With this, I had a chart with behaviors we were working on and if they did as I required to the best of their ability for the day, they got a sticker on their board- I made the board myself from stuff I purchased from the dollar store, as well.

Another way to use the rewards system is to withhold the reward when behavior is bad, of course. Some lenience should be practiced with this, however, always give your child a chance to earn the reward back.

Also, the best reward you can give to a child is praise and affection. This is not to say that you should be cold and distant when they are having their bad moments, but laying on the love extra thick is a fantastic reward. I use this in addition to other treats, but I am a bit over the top about it when education is involved. I value education and intelligence so I be sure to tell them how great they are while I squeeze them and give them lots of kisses when they answer a question right or when they offer information I had no idea they were privy to.
This is a more proactive and preventative approach to parenting.

Other methods:
As I said, anything the child enjoys can be a reward. No one knows your little one as well as you do. My advice is to pick something you have no doubt about and be creative with how you use it. It is going to take trial and error, don't give up, though. You will find your niche eventually and your family will be a happier, calmer one for your efforts.

Why it works:
Children are people too. We get wrapped up in our little ones, especially when we are struggling with them, and we forget to employ logic. As people, we all want to be rewarded for our efforts and if life is just constant consequence, we tend to be unpleasant. Everyone needs a little motivation once in a while. Children are no different.

A bit about structure:
Children want rules and structure (Berk, 2008). They enjoy stability and predictability. It makes them feel safe and secure in their environment (Berk, 2008). Toddlers are constantly testing their limits to see what they can get away with. In order to show them those limits you have to stick to them, this includes time constraints, budgets, manners, hygiene, etc.

A bit about family time:
Regardless of bad behavior, your little one adores you. In infancy a child attaches to one or a few people, and this is essential in development (Berk, 2008). The lack of such can cause emotional and mental complications throughout his/her life. That bond MUST be nurtured for a happy, healthy adult to develop. The best way to do that is to make time in your busy schedule to show your little one that s/he is a priority. It doesn't matter what you do or for how long, really, as long as your attention is focused on your little one and you're enjoying yourselves.
A bit about dialogue:

Keeping the lines of communication is great for lots of things. First and possibly the most important, it keeps you close. Talking is a powerful tool for bonding. A child who is close to and has a healthy relationship with her parents is less likely to stray from the path to a happy future(Berk, 2008). Secondly, hearing and seeing you speak will aid your child's speech development and seriously improve your chances of healthy speech in the future. Lastly, the more ways you can get your little one's attention the better. Kids are very instinctual and impulsive. Being so young, it is hard for them to control their impulses(Berk, 2008). Half of the time they do things without thinking about it and before they have a chance to realize it we are punishing them. Your open dialogue can help them be more aware of their actions (Berk, 2008).

A bit about creative expression:
Giving your child a means to express his or her self is not only great for his or her confidence but is also great for mental health and dealing with stress. It is a good idea to help your child find hobbies as soon as they are old enough to have them. Having strong interests and talents to nurture can be a means to keep them out of trouble in their teen years (Berk, 2008).

References:

Berk, L. (2008). Infants and children prenatal through middle childhood. Pearson Publishing