Techniques of Possible Designer Babies

Genetic screening is already in use for selecting the offspring’s sex and checking for certain genetic diseases. A week ago, British scientists developed a “genetic MoT” test using a new more efficient process called karyomapping. This method provides a genetic screening of the disease carrying genes. If legalized, the test would be conducted on a two-day old IVF embryo. Karyomapping could spark the ability of doctors ruling out higher risk gene combinations for diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. However, the process could very well come with a cost of $3000. In the future, it may also be possible to “cure” genetic diseases by replacing faulty sections of DNA and inserting healthy DNA in a process called gene line therapy. Gene line therapy is currently performed on animal embryos because it is illegal for humans. (134)

Growing Up

Last week, I moved out of my house and moved into the midtown area. I have wanted to live on my own for a very long time and it finally happened. I live with my best friend Nick Caccamisi. We moved right by Rhodes College. However, renting my own house comes with massive amounts of responsibly. Instead of having the luxury of my parents cleaning up and washing my clothes, I have to do everything on my own. I don't have a problem with it though because I would have to do it sooner or later. So far it has been a good experience and I hope it only gets better. (111 words)

Double Jeopardy

I don't know if any of you have seen the movie Double Jeopardy but the plot behind it is phenomenal. Ashley Gudd is wrongly convicted of killing her husband. She is framed because that way a life insurance policy of two million dollars for her husband was given to their young son. As the movie proceeds, the viewer finds out that the husband is not dead. In fact, the husband staged his own death and ran off with his wife's best friend and their son. When she finds out, she decides to admit to killing her husband and hope for an early release due to good behavior. When she got out, she searched for her husband and planned to kill him because she could not be tried for the same crime twice. Ashley's parole officer finally realizes what she is doing and helps her find him. They found him and a shoot out occurred with only one casualty. Ashley ended up killing her husband by self-defense. Ironic. (167 words)

Designer Babies

Today, the only traits that be identified are a number of serious genetic diseases. Until a few years ago, parents who have access to genetic testing techniques are able to accurately determine their offspring's sex. It is predicted that in a decade or two, parents will be able to determine physical characteristics such as how tall their child will be, eye color, hair color, and body type. One day, they may be able to control a child's IQ and personality type. If genetic therapy lives up to its promise, parents will be able to rule out undesired traits and replace them with desired traits. A list of options might one day be presented in a lab for the parents to pick and choose how there child will look and act.

www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,989987,00.html Time Magazine

Real-life

Nick Caccamisi and I are moving into a house by Rhodes College very soon. It is going to be a huge step for both of us because it's the first time we have lived on our own. The only concern I have about the new house is we do not have internet and we do not know if we are going to get it. This is going to make doing homework difficult because I will have to go to the library or find a starbucks in order to complete my assignments. However, the experience of living on my own will benefit me in the long run.

Anthropology

October 21, 2009 is the mid-term exam for Anthropology 1100. Some of the students in my class decided to form a study group before the exam. Many of the students have complained about the way Professor Hicks teaches. She reads directly from powerpoints everyday and puts everyone to sleep. The exam is going to be extremely tough because no one knows anything she is presenting. We are all going to try to do our best but I am very worried because I do not feel like I have a good understanding on the things she has gone over. I plan to study what I can with this group and hopefully it will benefit me.

Stem Cell Research Offers Hope for Cancer Vaccinations

Dr. Zihai Li of the University of Connecticut Stem Cell Institute stated that stem cells and cancer cells shared many biological and molecular features. Stem cells can be used to "trick" the human immune system into thinking that the stem cells are indeed cancer cells. Therefore, the stem cells dramatically reduce the growth of tumors. However, the procedure has not left the laboratory mice yet. The mice vaccinated showed a decline in the tumor growth while the non-vaccinated mice did not.

I think that this procedure could change the world. If stem cells were able to "trick" the immune system and reduce cancers deadly affects, many lives could be saved. Who knows, stem cells may be used as a vaccination for other diseases other than cancer. The stem cell research is an important study in today's scientific world and definitely should be pursued.

Tehran Times: Stem Cell Research Offers Hope, October 7, 2009.

http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=205608

Designer Babies

After looking at all of the choices for the evaluation essay, I decided to write my essay on designer babies. This article really appealed to me because it really shows how ridiculous humans can be sometimes. Humans will go to whatever extent they have to get what they want at that given time. Picking what you child with look like and what gender he/she will be? Where is the originality in that? This process will tend to cause much controversy because many people prefer tall over short which will then create a system of bias for short people. Also being a new discovery/process, the procedure will be relatively expensive. Once again, only the wealthy people will have the luxury of the procedure until the hype dies off.
(127 words)

College and Everything That Comes With It

College is really starting to become hectic. Fall break is approaching and with that comes mid-terms. Today, I took my chemistry exam and I feel as though I did well. However, I had to study at least an hour a day, everyday, for about a week and a half in order to do halfway decent. It almost seems as though there is not enough time in a day to get what I need to get accomplished. Everyday there is some type of homework to be done. There is definately a big change in quanity and difficulty from high school to college. Hopefully as I get better at managing my time, I will be less stressed.

Football

College football is a very big deal in the United States. There are die hard fans for every individual team. Many people would argue that the southeastern conference puts together the best teams out of any other conference. The love for a specific team sometimes starts from birth. Favorite teams are inherited and can become an important tradition to attend games. Many fans are willing to drive all the way across the country to be a part of the roaring crowds. I’m very intrigued as to why football is a very popular game in the United States but no where else in the world.

Observation of Friends Lost to Frats and Soroities

The weekend is a two day period that pushes many students through the school week. This past weekend, I decided to check out the fraternity atmosphere because one of my close friends recently joined. I went to an ATO gathering and the guys were nice. The main thing I noticed was how my friend was acting around the ATO guys. I feel as though I almost lost a friend to a fraternity house. Constantly, something is going on at the house and as a member if your not there you are neglected by the other members. All through high school, my close friends and I would always hang out until one of them joined ATO. College is going to be identical to high school because many people are going to change and go there separate ways.

136 words

Outside Event

On Thursday, Robert Root came to speak and read parts of his book at Mitchell Hall at seven o'clock. Robert was an older guy that was interested in authors that not very many people liked. Also, he was fascinated by coincidences He read a small excerpt from his book about his journey up Long's Peak. Robert vividly described the scenery and the struggles of the climb. Not only did he provide physical details, he described his own thoughts bringing the listener to the mountain. He was persistent to reach the top and the fact that fifty-five deaths had occurred on the very route he was taking did not stop him.

110 words