October 2007
Monthly Archive
Tuesday 23 Oct 2007
Or
“Point-Slightly-Different-Point”
Stem Cells
“Point-Slightly-Different-Point”
.: My piece on stem cells finally got published in the Lariat today. It’s accompanied by this piece by the president of College Republicans. Here’s my article in almost all its glory:
Scientists claim embryonic stem cells may help them understand and treat several serious diseases, but their efforts have been severely hampered by the current administration.
The real issue is that President Bush evidently thinks it is OK to use stem cells that were derived from previously destroyed embryos.
Consider then, that in vitro fertilization procedures routinely create excess embryos, which are never implanted, and last year the Senate passed a bill that would have allowed federal funding for scientists to use these embryos before they were inevitably destroyed.
Bush exercised his first veto on this bill, even though his efforts won’t save a single embryo from winding up in biological waste bins.
He apparently sees an impassable moral gulf that separates using stem cells from embryos, which were destroyed, and using stem cells from embryos that are going to be destroyed.
Most people think of stem cells as potential “cures” for diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, but there are more fundamental applications.
Scientists could conceivably use embryonic stem cells to model the genetic progression of complicated diseases to better understand their pathogeneses.
Once they accomplish that, they can create more effective treatments via other methods.
Imagine how quickly medical knowledge would increase if scientists could observe a disease spreading in brain tissue located in a petri dish instead of a person’s head. Since embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any cell type, this scenario isn’t too far off.
Opponents of embryonic stem cell research often point to the success of treatments developed with non-controversial adult stem cells.
They argue that embryonic stem cells are not needed when we can use adult stem cells. (Some advocates exaggerate the number of treatments to 65, but in reality there are only nine FDA-approved clinical treatments that use adult stem cells.)
However, the two approaches should be seen as complementary, not competitive. Adult stem cell research is important and should be encouraged, but there are limitations that just aren’t present in embryonic stem cells (and vice versa).
For instance, adult stem cells are notoriously difficult to isolate, and they do not divide as rapidly as embryonic stem cells.
Better techniques may be developed tomorrow that would eliminate many of the downsides, but that shouldn’t stop us from doing all we ethically can to help save those afflicted with diseases today.
Last June, an ABC News poll found that 60 percent of the public supports government funding for embryonic stem cell research while only 31 percent disapprove.
There are even prominent Republicans like Nancy Reagan, Orrin Hatch, Bill Frist and Arlen Specter who support federal funding for research utilizing excess embryos.
The American public has repeatedly voiced its support for this important research.
It’s time for this administration to develop a consistent system of bioethics and either call for the banning of in vitro fertilization (not going to happen) or let science progress by lifting the restrictions on excess embryonic stem cell research.
Cody Cobb is a member of the Baylor Democrats. He is a senior biochemistry major from Spring.
.: I say almost all its glory, because for whatever reason the editors decided to remove the last half of my introductory paragraph. For all you completists out there, here’s the missing bit:
Scientists claim embryonic stem cells may help them understand and treat several serious diseases, but their efforts have been severely hampered by the current administration. In 2001, Bush allowed federal funds to be used on human embryonic stem cell research, with the crippling condition that funds only go to the “more than 60” stem cell lines already in existence. Never mind that only 23 such lines existed and that many of these were deemed unusable by scientists – that’s a side issue.
.: Ah well, I think I got my main points across. The counter article is pretty reasonable for what it is. I’m glad the author used his space for explaining what stem cells are; that saved me lots of room in my piece for other things.
.: I do find his concluding analogy a bit weak, though:
. . . [P]olicymakers should not compel those morally opposed to the destruction of embryos to pay for that destruction.
Just as a conscientious objector is not forced to go into combat for this country, a citizen should not be forced to pay for an embryo’s destruction.
.: As a supporter for the war in Iraq, to take a random example, would he agree that people who oppose the war should not be forced to pay taxes that fund the war effort? If he would not agree, then doesn’t that undermine his argument? I suppose democracy can be rather inconvenient at times, but given an appropriately educated populace I still think it’s a pretty good idea.
Saturday 20 Oct 2007
Or
“propane-1,2,3-triyl trinitrate”
GTN
“propane-1,2,3-triyl trinitrate”
.: I just stumbled upon this most remarkable bit of information from Wikipedia:
“The CSD500 condom contains a chemical in its teat, called glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), which is absorbed by the skin and causes blood vessels to dilate.”
.: Astute readers will notice my alternative title and correctly deduce from their vast chemical knowledge that GTN is the same thing as nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin is the highly explosive component in dynamite. Dynamite → nitroglycerin → CSD500 condom → engorged penis → dynamite dick.
Friday 12 Oct 2007
Or
“90% Of What I Say Is True, The Other 12% Is Fabricated Nonsense…”
12% False
“90% Of What I Say Is True, The Other 12% Is Fabricated Nonsense…”
.: Oscar recently brought to my attention the copies of my old site available on Archive.org. I went through all the posts available there and cringed at most of them. They are worse than bad — a good chunk of them are nothing more than “Sorry for not posting updates” or something equally worthless. That said, there are a few random tidbits I found that I’d like to share with you. They made me smile; hopefully you will to.
.: But I saved your life that one time!
:-: You were the one who put me in danger!
.: Yeah, but then I saved you after that.
Lawn mower: 1
Snake: 0
(The following was a guest post written by Maine)
Why Adulthood Friggin’ Rules
# No, my parents don’t give me money for free, I have to work for it. But after I do work, I have a lot of damned money. We’re not talking some $30 a week allowance. Adults make that much money before we take an early lunch on Monday.
# My room is a mess. There’s junk everywhere. Even dirty dishes. And you know what? I’ll clean up later. When I want to.
# I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had sex. Somewhere in the thousands I figure. And every time was great.
# Hmm… what’s for dinner tonight? Pizza?! Again?! Oh, alright, you’re twisting my arm here…
# Homework? Yeah, I remember that. It sucked. It doesn’t still suck, does it, kids? Oh, it does? Oh well. I think I’ll go watch TV.
# I can (and will) go buy a beer. Then I’ll drink it in front of a cop and my parents.
# Sure, we give a lot of money to kids. We finance your lives. And what do we get in return? Spite. Scorn. Disrespect. Oh, and big, big money when its tax refund time. Thanks for the few thousand extra dollars, guys.
# I’m going to go out tonight. When am I coming home? Tomorrow, the next day, maybe. Maybe never. What do I care?
# Man, I’d sure like some new clothes… Hey, wait a minute. I’ll just go get some. Maybe I’ll get a t-shirt that says, “I’m the sh*t” and wear it in front of my mom.
# Man, life is sure hard. There are a lot of really tough things about the real world. Hey, maybe I’ll just call in sick to work then stay home to play video games and watch pr0n all day. It’ll make me feel better, and thanks to sick time, they’re going to pay me anyway. And if my parents call me to tell me that I’m making a mistake, I’ll just say, “Thanks for the advice,” and go back to my gaming.
.: I recommend keeping a spoon in your pocket at all times, in case you find a container of ice cream lying around (like I did today).
(Something Susan once told me)
.: Yeah, my mom wrote a book once. It was about this machine that would let men feel sex through the woman’s point of view. She gave it to me to proofread. It’s really kinda awkward reading a sex scene written by your mother.
(From another conversation with Susan)
.: You’re right and wrong: you can stimulate the brain, but you can’t actually control what they do.
:-: Sure you can.
.: Well, you can twitch their arm, but you can’t control what it does.
:-: Yes, yes, you can. You don’t understand science.
.: It just doesn’t work that way! The stimulators they use are very crude, just two electrodes conncected to a battery. It’s not meant for controlling people; it’s designed for mapping out individual brains. That said, controlling people would fucking rule.
:-: There are better stimulators. And a true neurogsurgeon is an artist. It can be done.
.: Not yet, it can’t. Especially not voice. You can make ‘em moan and groan, but language is a different thing entirely.
:-: Please, stop denying the truth and the accuracy of science.
.: I’m not denying it, I’m clarifying it!
:-: You’re living in the past. Accept progress!
.: It hasn’t happened yet! I know this shit! I watch Discovery Science! I will stay up at three in the morning, absorbing knowledge.
:-: TV doesn’t know neurology.
.: The last book I read was Conversations with Neil’s Brain. There’s an entire chapter devoted to the very thing you speak of!
:-: It can be done. Your chapter is outdated.
.: It was revised and republished in 2003!
:-: Is today June 14th 2003?
.: In Australia, yes.
:-: No, it’s 2004.
.: Not in Australia, it isn’t.
:-: Australia doesn’t know neurosurgery.
.: Do you live in Australia? Do you know any Australians? Are you qualified to say Australia doesn’t know neurosurgery? I don’t think you are.
:-: I know an Aussie neurosurgeon. He admits that he’s woefully undereducated.
.: You ever wake up at six in the morning in a motel room and see your eighth grade algebra teacher stroll by with nothing on but a towel?
.: What’s this one have in it? It’s just . . grey.
:-: Oh, those are my mother’s ashes.
.: You framed your mother’s ashes?!
:-: Not only that, but look closer—it’s also an ant farm!
.: A turtle without a weapon is just a turtle.
.: Um, excuse me, but your dog needs to be on a leash.
:-: But … I’m holding him.
.: Well he still needs to be on a leash.
:-: Look, he’s all right. Leash or no leash, I’m holding him.
.: The sign says all pets must be on a leash. You know there’s a fine?
:-: There should be a fine for bothering people. I mean, you’re not even a cop; you’re just a crossing guard.
.: Well excuse me for thinking about the children’s safety. What do you think will happen if your dog just jumps out of your hands? How do I know you’ll be able to hang onto him?
:-: What will happen if I let go of my dog? The same thing that would happen if I let go of my dog’s leash! It’s not even like he can do much damage if he wanted to—he’s eight fucking inches long.
.: The sign still says all dogs must be on a leash. Do you see anywhere where it says “all dogs must be on a leash unless it’s only eight inches long”?
:-: It says “pets”, actually, not “dogs”.
.: Whatever, that’s not important.
:-: Actually, I think it is. I’ve got a bird at home that I want to bring outside—should I put him on a leash as well?
.: You’re missing the poin—
:-: Ah, fuck off.
.: Now that I have money, I feel much better as a person.
Things My Psychology Teacher Liked to Say
.: Don’t test me.
.: I’m so glad we don’t have to accomplish anything in this class.
.: Get out of the chair.
.: Watch the movie.
.: One more time and I’ll write you up.
.: What’s your name?
.: No.
.: You can’t just walk out of class!
.: I don’t want to talk about it!
.: Give me food and I won’t count you tardy.
.: Read chapter three.
.: I don’t care.
.: I can’t bring myself to tell you . . . so I’ll let this talking cow say it instead.
.: I was humped by a dolphin. That’s my distinction.
.: There was this one kid in New Braunfels whose nose was upturned like the tips of elve’s shoes. It was kind of weird looking, so I never talked to him much. When he did talk to me, I didn’t listen—he had an ugly nose.
On Interstate 30
.: You know what’s fun? Driving seven hours to visit someone you really want to see for the weekend.
.: You know what’s not fun? Driving back.
.: I went to Arkansas this weekend. Do you have any idea how long it takes to watch the little needle on my gas gauge go from F to E? Well, about as long as it takes to drive to the middle of Arkansas from Waco.