"We plan to bring out innovative tailor-made cells for diseases" ...What implications do you see in this approach? ....One concern that comes to mind (besides the zillion ethical concerns I have) is that the correlation between lifestyle choice and health will be further diluted, if not negated entirely for some. We live in an industrial society. We have industrial diseases---diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease .....all diseases that are directly influenced by diet and other lifestyle choices, such as stress management or physical activity levels. It blows my mind that many people do not see the connection between good health and lifestyle, or worse, disregard them for "tomorrow." I will start eating healthier foods tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will walk the two flights of stairs to my office. Next week, if it is sunny, I will start riding my bike that one mile to work. I feel sick today, but if I am not better tomorrow, then tomorrow I will take it easy. Being someone who makes conscious choices in regards to my own health and well-being, I can not help but hold others responsible for their own (if it is within their means, of course)....and I realize that I do have to reign myself in sometimes from being overly critical or judgmental. One issue within our culture is choice---we have too many choices. And time---we never have enough time. Overall quality of life is squandered for immediate pleasure ....and in the future, if we have the option to grow ourselves a new liver---why not have a couple of gin and tonics every night until then? There are of course many people who suffer from unfortunate diseases that are beyond their control; thinking about the option of growing "tailor-made cells" for them takes on a different tone for me. Clearly, stem cell technology is a huge issue, and it is our future, whether we agree with it or not. The article we read in class just screamed "infomercial" to me---stem cell technology is big business. An industry. Perhaps a cottage industry that will develop the "cures" for the industrial ills of our society. We are still treating the symptoms and not the problems.
Would you expect "carbon offsets" to work effectively? ....No---carbon offsets are not a solution for carbon emissions. They are merely a salve for our environmental guilts. I think that adding a "carbon surcharge" to the cost of an airline ticket is a better solution---this money would be invested in the development of improved flying technologies that had lower carbon emissions. Given the number of people who take flights everyday, the cost could be very reasonable; and too, the cost should be low enough that flying should not become cost prohibitive ....(or should it?)
Do you agree with "Laughter really is the best medicine"?....The opening line of the article says, "It might be regarded as a statement of the obvious. But scientists have proved what everyone else takes for granted - that laughter is good for you." This statement is interesting to me. It suggests that what most everyone feels, knows in their bodies, hearts and minds---that laughter is healing---can only be "taken for granted" until "proven by scientists." Well folks, the proof is in ....and I think the scientists may be laughing. On their way to the bank. Do we really need to be spending money on this kind of "research" ...?
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