There is no reason that Creationism should not discussed in the public schools because evolution is being taught and after 125 years, it remains a theory. Additionally, evidence against the theory of evolution should be allowed to be discussed. There should be freedom to speak about the lack of fossil evidence like all of the missing links that should show transitional fossils evolving from one species into another. The only evidence that the theory of evolution has right now are sketches, drawings, and computer images that show purported transitions of one species evolving into another, different species. The fossil evidence has never supported this theory and students have every right to know all of the facts. Just as history, philosophy, and other disciplines are able to be critiqued, the theory of evolution should be allowed to be critiqued by presenting evidence contrary to it. One example is the Cambrian explosion, which is a fossil layer where almost every single plant, bacteria, flora, fauna, mammal, and animal fossil remains appear suddenly and without any apparent ancestral predecessors. It is called an “explosion” because of the fact that all life forms appear at one level with few fossils before and after it that show any type of transitional form. This sudden burst of fossils explode onto the scene that gives the appearance of all life forms similar to the account of creation in Genesis. If you look at the life forms in the Cambrian layers, many of these life forms are still with us today and yet remain unchanged.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Bioengineering
Dear Science Daily,
I have grappled with this question a lot as well. If we can create genetically modified rice that is much more nutritious, and ship it around the world for the same price as regular rice, why shouldn't we do that? As far as keeping species alive with bioengineering, well, that is really like playing 'God' and I'm sure tons of people would be upset over such a drastic action. There is little doubt in my mind that we will utilize these technologies in new and unusual ways, but where should we draw the line?
I have grappled with this question a lot as well. If we can create genetically modified rice that is much more nutritious, and ship it around the world for the same price as regular rice, why shouldn't we do that? As far as keeping species alive with bioengineering, well, that is really like playing 'God' and I'm sure tons of people would be upset over such a drastic action. There is little doubt in my mind that we will utilize these technologies in new and unusual ways, but where should we draw the line?
It can be used to produce bacteria that make insulin- for people with diabetes as insulin lowers blood sugar levels. Extracted from the pancreas of pigs and cattle. Also it can be used to make plants and animals and even humans with certain characteristics. Genes could also be manipulated in trees, for example, to absorb more CO2 and reduce the threat of global warming. It can also increase the genetic diversity of species populations, especially those that are endangered.
Sincerely,
Robert Mena
Gregor Mendel Letter
Dear Gregor Mendel,
I understand that you have developed the theory of inheritance and heredity. I've discovered that you have experimented with the garden pea plant. First I believe you pollinated short pea plants with tall pea plants. To my understanding the next generation of pea plants resulting from the experiment were all tall pea plants. You bred two of the pea plants from the new generation and they ended up having 3 tall pea plants and 1 short pea plant. I noticed that there seemed to be two different traits. One trait seemed to appear in every generation, which was called the dominant trait. One trait seemed to disappear; this was known as the recessive trait. You discovered discoveries sadly, weren't discovered until 1900.
Many people have helped pave the pathway of genetics. Charles Darwin discovered different characteristics of finches as he sail through the galapogas islands, Punnet created the punnet square(a chart used to predict traits among offspring) and Watson & Crick discovered the structure of DNA, the hereditary information found inside the nucleus. DNA is found inside your genes which, by the thousands are found on your 23 pairs of chromosomes.
I understand that you have developed the theory of inheritance and heredity. I've discovered that you have experimented with the garden pea plant. First I believe you pollinated short pea plants with tall pea plants. To my understanding the next generation of pea plants resulting from the experiment were all tall pea plants. You bred two of the pea plants from the new generation and they ended up having 3 tall pea plants and 1 short pea plant. I noticed that there seemed to be two different traits. One trait seemed to appear in every generation, which was called the dominant trait. One trait seemed to disappear; this was known as the recessive trait. You discovered discoveries sadly, weren't discovered until 1900.
Many people have helped pave the pathway of genetics. Charles Darwin discovered different characteristics of finches as he sail through the galapogas islands, Punnet created the punnet square(a chart used to predict traits among offspring) and Watson & Crick discovered the structure of DNA, the hereditary information found inside the nucleus. DNA is found inside your genes which, by the thousands are found on your 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Diabetes
Diabetes is a genetic disease that runs through my family. It's a group of metabolic diseases in which the individual has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty(polydipsia) and hungry(polyphagia).
TREATMENT AND GENETICS:
Unlike some traits, diabetes does not seem to be inherited in a simple pattern. Yet clearly, some people are born more likely to develop diabetes than others.
Because most people who are at risk do not get diabetes, researchers want to find out what the environmental triggers are.
One trigger might be related to cold weather. Type 1 diabetes develops more often in winter than summer and is more common in places with cold climates.
Another trigger might be viruses. Perhaps a virus that has only mild effects on most people triggers type 1 diabetes in others.
Early diet may also play a role. Type 1 diabetes is less common in people who were breastfed and in those who first ate solid foods at later agesstands for advanced glycosylation (gly-KOH-sih-LAY-shun) end products. AGEs are produced in the body when glucose links with protein. They play a role in damaging blood vessels, which can lead to diabetes complications.X.
In many people, the development of type 1 diabetes seems to take many years. In experiments that followed relatives of people with type 1 diabetes, researchers found that most of those who later got diabetes had certain autoantibodies in their blood for years before.
(Antibodies are proteins that destroy bacteria or viruses. Autoantibodies are antibodiesproteins made by the body to protect itself from "foreign" substances such as bacteria or viruses. People get type 1 diabetes when their bodies make antibodies that destroy the body's own insulin-making beta cells.X 'gone bad,' which attack the body's own tissues.)
Studies of twins have shown that genetics play a very strong role in the development of type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle also influences the development of type 2 diabetes. Obesitya condition in which a greater than normal amount of fat is in the body; more severe than overweight; having a body mass index of 30 or more.X tends to run in families, and families tend to have similar eating and exercise habits.
If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, it may be difficult to figure out whether your diabetes is due to lifestyle factors or genetic susceptibility. Most likely it is due to both. However, don’t lose heart. Studies show that it is possible to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes by exercising and losing weight.
REFERENCE: AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION
www.diabetes.org
TREATMENT AND GENETICS:
Unlike some traits, diabetes does not seem to be inherited in a simple pattern. Yet clearly, some people are born more likely to develop diabetes than others.
Type 1 Diabetes
In most cases of type 1 diabetes, people need to inherit risk factors from both parents. Statistics show diabetes more common in whites because whites have the highest rate of type 1 diabetes.Because most people who are at risk do not get diabetes, researchers want to find out what the environmental triggers are.
One trigger might be related to cold weather. Type 1 diabetes develops more often in winter than summer and is more common in places with cold climates.
Another trigger might be viruses. Perhaps a virus that has only mild effects on most people triggers type 1 diabetes in others.
Early diet may also play a role. Type 1 diabetes is less common in people who were breastfed and in those who first ate solid foods at later agesstands for advanced glycosylation (gly-KOH-sih-LAY-shun) end products. AGEs are produced in the body when glucose links with protein. They play a role in damaging blood vessels, which can lead to diabetes complications.X.
In many people, the development of type 1 diabetes seems to take many years. In experiments that followed relatives of people with type 1 diabetes, researchers found that most of those who later got diabetes had certain autoantibodies in their blood for years before.
(Antibodies are proteins that destroy bacteria or viruses. Autoantibodies are antibodiesproteins made by the body to protect itself from "foreign" substances such as bacteria or viruses. People get type 1 diabetes when their bodies make antibodies that destroy the body's own insulin-making beta cells.X 'gone bad,' which attack the body's own tissues.)
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes has a stronger link to family history and lineage than type 1, although it too depends on environmental factors.Studies of twins have shown that genetics play a very strong role in the development of type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle also influences the development of type 2 diabetes. Obesitya condition in which a greater than normal amount of fat is in the body; more severe than overweight; having a body mass index of 30 or more.X tends to run in families, and families tend to have similar eating and exercise habits.
If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, it may be difficult to figure out whether your diabetes is due to lifestyle factors or genetic susceptibility. Most likely it is due to both. However, don’t lose heart. Studies show that it is possible to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes by exercising and losing weight.
REFERENCE: AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION
www.diabetes.org
Gattaca. Good or Bad?
Good : Everyone was genetically superior to their elders. So they had good genes no addiction for alcoholism, drugs... so no one was a alcoholic or junkie among genetically engineered "valids". Higher IQ and other intelligence factors. Better health, longer life-span healthier and "better" bodies. Individuals were a lot smarter also including invalids. The "society" had certain goals witch it tried to achieve. The government (prosuming there even was one) had a good grip of it's citizens. When a child was made and most probably genetically engineered. They usually "deleted" the bad factors. Like violent behavior any addictions and obesity (When people have too much over weight and when they get older the risk of getting your limb or other bones fractured is great. And they might have to retire EARLIER and the government usually pays the medical bill's and the retirement money so the government loses money. And the same thing with junkies alcoholics and others.) Longer life-span means that the citizen would live longer and be more effective longer so they would pay taxes for the most of their lives. And that is good for the government presuming it had taxing.
Bad : Discrimination of invalid's. Invalids were genetically weaker so they kind of slowed down the world to become a perfect genepool. Invalid's were a burton to the society. When an invalid couple would decide to have a child all invalid couples didn't have to money for genetic engineering. So the valid's are just getting better and better and because of discrimination of invalid's they have hard time to even get a proper job. So they just keep going lower and lower.
Bad : Discrimination of invalid's. Invalids were genetically weaker so they kind of slowed down the world to become a perfect genepool. Invalid's were a burton to the society. When an invalid couple would decide to have a child all invalid couples didn't have to money for genetic engineering. So the valid's are just getting better and better and because of discrimination of invalid's they have hard time to even get a proper job. So they just keep going lower and lower.
Should we be able to know our genomes?
Some genomic pioneers are sharing their entire sequences on the Internet. Yet what our genomes reveal might return to haunt us later, and more to the point, our families. Some of us won’t want everyone knowing our risk of cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, or worse, guessing our kids’ health risks. Yet we’d like researchers to be able to study the data without harm coming to us. And we need them to have access to the genomes of others. We would like to be able to check our individual risk of cancer or Alzheimer’s disease when we choose, or trace our genetic lineages using genomic tools. Unless many, many people share data revealing their risk of cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, and opt into ancestry databases, there will be no way to interpret ours.
For this system to work, we need to be in control of the information that results from having a personal genome sequenced. So this right should not go exclusively to the company that does the sequencing, or the website that identifies how one genome differs from another, or the academic researchers who do the research. The company or university that does the sequencing provides a service, but it should not own or control the data about us. Genome sequencing can provide high-impact medical results, but most of the time, it will merely illuminate our genealogy and satisfy our curiosity, and give moderately interesting insights into disease risk. In the continuum of potential results, FDA has a clear role in the medical aspects, but at the other end of the continuum does not have any business blocking us from using a website to find folks we’re related to. Teasing apart what needs to be regulated from what does not is a work in progress, and frankly, we’re optimistic it can happen.
For this system to work, we need to be in control of the information that results from having a personal genome sequenced. So this right should not go exclusively to the company that does the sequencing, or the website that identifies how one genome differs from another, or the academic researchers who do the research. The company or university that does the sequencing provides a service, but it should not own or control the data about us. Genome sequencing can provide high-impact medical results, but most of the time, it will merely illuminate our genealogy and satisfy our curiosity, and give moderately interesting insights into disease risk. In the continuum of potential results, FDA has a clear role in the medical aspects, but at the other end of the continuum does not have any business blocking us from using a website to find folks we’re related to. Teasing apart what needs to be regulated from what does not is a work in progress, and frankly, we’re optimistic it can happen.
Career Genetic Counselor
Genetic counselors are health specialists who’ve completed specialized training in medical genetics. As medical specialists, genetic counselors assist individuals who’ve been diagnosed with genetic disorders. Genetic counselors review charts detailing family history and teach patients and other medical specialists about genetic diseases. Since they possess specialized counseling skills, genetic counselors help patients and their loved ones understand potential genetic testing options and the consequences of such testing. Additionally, these specialists address ethical questions associated with genetic testing and treatment.
As members of medical teams, genetic counselors teach patients, doctors, and other medical specialists how to treat people with genetic disorders and participate in public awareness campaigns to educate the public about these disorders. Many American universities offer genetic counseling graduate programs. Students earning graduate degrees in this field are required to complete classes in medical ethics, counseling, molecular genetics, psychology, clinical genetics, and cytogenetics. Aspiring genetic counselors should enroll in an American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) accredited graduate program. Before being certified, genetic counselors must pass the ABGC’s certification examination.Genetic counselors are frequently paid base salaries and periodic bonuses. Likewise, most genetic counselors receive healthcare benefits. Average annual salaries for these specialists range anywhere from $49,195 – 64,208 annually, and with bonuses, genetic counselors earn additional income ranging between $375 - 2,250 annually.
HealthCareerCenter.org
As members of medical teams, genetic counselors teach patients, doctors, and other medical specialists how to treat people with genetic disorders and participate in public awareness campaigns to educate the public about these disorders. Many American universities offer genetic counseling graduate programs. Students earning graduate degrees in this field are required to complete classes in medical ethics, counseling, molecular genetics, psychology, clinical genetics, and cytogenetics. Aspiring genetic counselors should enroll in an American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) accredited graduate program. Before being certified, genetic counselors must pass the ABGC’s certification examination.Genetic counselors are frequently paid base salaries and periodic bonuses. Likewise, most genetic counselors receive healthcare benefits. Average annual salaries for these specialists range anywhere from $49,195 – 64,208 annually, and with bonuses, genetic counselors earn additional income ranging between $375 - 2,250 annually.
HealthCareerCenter.org
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)