According to the dictionary, "vaccination" means "the introduction into humans or domestic animals of microorganisms that have previously been treated to make them harmless for the purpose of inducing the development of immunity." The most famous creator of a vaccine was Louis Pasteur, who created an anthrax vaccine, saving the economy of France. Lesser-known scientist Edward Jenner is also famous in the field of vaccines. In fact, he created the very first, a vaccine for smallpox. He observed that the milkmaids would contract "cowpox," get better and NEVER contract smallpox. Jenner's theory was that cowpox was simply a weaker form of smallpox and if one was to be inoculated with cowpox, the body would develop and immunity to smallpox. It was certainly a revolutionary idea, considering the fact that he lived in the 1700s. Nothing like that had ever been proposed - the very idea that the body could be made "immune," was mind-reeling in that period. Jenner was determined to test his idea. He infected a poor, eight year old boy with cowpox. The bacteria was weak and he recovered. Then Jenner did something brash. He injected the boy with smallpox. Thank God the kid didn't contract it because he had developed an immunity, but imagine what would have happened if he would have died? Yes, this experiment was a success. Did that justify putting a little eight year old boy in danger? What if the smallpox had killed him? Did the end justify the means? The smallpox vaccine saved thousands of lives. Does that justify putting one life in danger?
In my opinion, it's never acceptable to breach moral, ethical, or legal boundaries to achieve some perceived greater good. Jenner couldn't have been sure of the outcome of his experiment so he was not justified in endangering someone's life. Of course, we don't know the entire situation. I'm merely assuming we had a medical tycoon tricking an ignorant eight year old farm boy who didn't fully understand the situation into becoming a medical victim. On the off chance that the eight year old fully understood the situation, it was still probably wrong given that an eight year old doesn't have the brain capacity to understand the gravity of such a decision. It was wrong of such a brilliant man to take advantage of a little's boy's ignorance. Furthermore, it was wrong of the boy's parents not to protect him. They were humble townspeople, they had to have at least heard of smallpox! There have been thousands upon thousands of cruel, failed experiments on humans in the interest of "medicine." This is an oxymoron at best considering the profession of a doctor is interested in proliferating human life, not putting it in harm's way. Although God allowed some good to come out of the situation as he so often does, Jenner was NOT justified in any way shape or form. The boy was the first organism Jenner tested his theory on. He did not even bother to test it on an animal first! This is inexcusable. Today's scientists are held to higher standards and have moral and ethical codes that they are required to follow in their experiments. Still, on occasion we see situations like this one that should be obliterated.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Vocab Chapter 40
Disease - any change, other than an injury that disrupts the normal functions of the body
Pathogens - disease causing agent, such as a bacterium or fungus
Germ theory of disease - idea that infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms or germs
Koch's Postulates - series of guidelines used to identify the microorganisms that causes a specific disease
Vectors - animal that carries disease causing organisms from person to person
Antibiotics - specialized protein that helps destroy disease causing organisms
Inflammatory response - nonspecific defense reaction to tissue damage caused by injury or infection
Fever - elevated body temperature that occurs in response to infection
Interferons - one of a group of proteins that help cells resist viral infection
Immune Response - the body's specific defenses that attack a disease causing agent
Vaccination - injection of a weakened or mild form of a pathogen to produce immunity
Active Immunity - immunity produced by a vaccine so called because the body has the ability to mount an active immune response against the pathogen
Allergies - overreaction of the immune system that results when antigens bind to mast cells
Pathogens - disease causing agent, such as a bacterium or fungus
Germ theory of disease - idea that infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms or germs
Koch's Postulates - series of guidelines used to identify the microorganisms that causes a specific disease
Vectors - animal that carries disease causing organisms from person to person
Antibiotics - specialized protein that helps destroy disease causing organisms
Inflammatory response - nonspecific defense reaction to tissue damage caused by injury or infection
Fever - elevated body temperature that occurs in response to infection
Interferons - one of a group of proteins that help cells resist viral infection
Immune Response - the body's specific defenses that attack a disease causing agent
Vaccination - injection of a weakened or mild form of a pathogen to produce immunity
Active Immunity - immunity produced by a vaccine so called because the body has the ability to mount an active immune response against the pathogen
Allergies - overreaction of the immune system that results when antigens bind to mast cells
Chapter 40 Assesment
1-6, 10, 11-12, 15, 22, 25, 28, 36
1) a
2) c
3) b
4) d
5)a
6) d
10) c
11) That infectious diseases are caused by micro-organisms called germs.
12) If a pathogen can be identified then perhaps it can be prevented or cured.
15) Wash your hands!
22) The antibodies in your system die out
25) One is infected with cancer-like properties, one is harmless and stagnant.
28) Did the end justify the means? Perhaps... Of course, we don't know the entire situation.
36) Heat is used to kill germs.
1) a
2) c
3) b
4) d
5)a
6) d
10) c
11) That infectious diseases are caused by micro-organisms called germs.
12) If a pathogen can be identified then perhaps it can be prevented or cured.
15) Wash your hands!
22) The antibodies in your system die out
25) One is infected with cancer-like properties, one is harmless and stagnant.
28) Did the end justify the means? Perhaps... Of course, we don't know the entire situation.
36) Heat is used to kill germs.
Chapter 40
Some diseases are inherited. Others are caused by materials in the environment. Still others are produced by organisms such as bacteria and fungi.
Some infectious diseases are spread from one person to another through coughing, sneezing or physical contact. Other infectious disease are spread through contaminated water or food. Still others are spread by infected animals.
Your body's most important nonspecific defense is the skin.
The inflammatory response is a nonspecific defense reaction to tissue damage caused by injury or infection.
Once the body has been exposed to a pathogen, millions of memory B and T cells remain capable of producing specific antibodies to that pathogen.
When the immune system makes a mistake and attacks the body's own cells, ti produces an autoimmune disease.
Cancers begin when something goes wrong with the controls that normally regulate cell growth and division.
Treatments for cancer fall into three general categories; surgery, radiation, therapy and drug therapy.
Some infectious diseases are spread from one person to another through coughing, sneezing or physical contact. Other infectious disease are spread through contaminated water or food. Still others are spread by infected animals.
Your body's most important nonspecific defense is the skin.
The inflammatory response is a nonspecific defense reaction to tissue damage caused by injury or infection.
Once the body has been exposed to a pathogen, millions of memory B and T cells remain capable of producing specific antibodies to that pathogen.
When the immune system makes a mistake and attacks the body's own cells, ti produces an autoimmune disease.
Cancers begin when something goes wrong with the controls that normally regulate cell growth and division.
Treatments for cancer fall into three general categories; surgery, radiation, therapy and drug therapy.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Vocab! Chapter 39
Puberty - period of rapid growth and sexual maturation during which the reproductive system becomes fully functional
Follicles - cluster of cells surrounding a single egg in the human female reproductive system
Ovary - the female gonad that produces eggs
Uterus - organ of the female reproductive system in which a fertilized egg can develop
Corpus Luteum - name given to a follicle after ovulation because of its yellow color
Menstrual cycle - cycle during which an egg develops and is released from an ovary and the uterus is prepared to receive a fertilized egg.
Placenta - organ in placental mammals through which nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide and wastes are exchanged between embryo and mother.
Fetus - name given to human embryo after eight weeks of development
Follicles - cluster of cells surrounding a single egg in the human female reproductive system
Ovary - the female gonad that produces eggs
Uterus - organ of the female reproductive system in which a fertilized egg can develop
Corpus Luteum - name given to a follicle after ovulation because of its yellow color
Menstrual cycle - cycle during which an egg develops and is released from an ovary and the uterus is prepared to receive a fertilized egg.
Placenta - organ in placental mammals through which nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide and wastes are exchanged between embryo and mother.
Fetus - name given to human embryo after eight weeks of development
Why the World Bugs Me Sometimes
The world is going to hell in a hand basket. Was anyone else completely enraged by this news caption? I can’t believe people’s priorities sometimes. These were the top four stories on Yahoo for May 23rd, 2011. 75% of the top news stories pertained to clothing and fashion, whereas a dangerous volcano was overshadowed by a HAT. Terrifying tornados that took LIVES are less important than the particular shade of beige that Brad Pitt wore in Cannes. This is absolutely infuriating. Who gives a freaking DAMN about a hat when natural disasters are stripping innocent victims of their lives? We should focus on sending aid to countries in need instead of focusing on petty, freaking retarded things like something a chick wore SEVERAL weeks ago. SO stupid. You know what’s worse? That this gets noticed by a fifteen year old kid. Why should the teenager be the voice of reason? Dear Yahoo, I like fashion. I really do. But not as much as I care about people or current events. Get a clue. Love, Mary.
Chapter 39 Assessment
Chapter 39 - 6-10, 17, 22, 27, 40
6) b
7) b
8) c
9) c
10) c
17) The start of sexual development
22) It is a hormone
27) To hold and nourish a child to term
40) If you lose all those nutrients, the fetus would die.
6) b
7) b
8) c
9) c
10) c
17) The start of sexual development
22) It is a hormone
27) To hold and nourish a child to term
40) If you lose all those nutrients, the fetus would die.
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