Blog 10 France: Implant Health Scare

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http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/world/europe/france-implant-suspect-released.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/health/health-fears-over-suspect-french-breast-implants-spread-abroad.html

Jean-Claude Mas the former head of Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) was recently released from jail under court supervision with a pending trial planned to occur next year. He was imprisoned after admitting to using a non medical form of silicone in breast implants. These implants caused a global health scare. The French media reported 8 women who have received these implants have gotten cancer. The significance of this statistic is debated and I am rather skeptical of it myself since 30,000 french women and 40,000 british women are estimated to have received the implants and more were exported to Spain and Latin America.  The company claims that there is no evidence that the product is dangerous for health even though it is unapproved. On the other hand, over 1,000 of the 30,000 who received the implants in france had ruptures or leakage. According to Wikipedia (cited Walker PS et al. (2009). "Natrelle Saline-filled Breast Implants: a Prospective 10-year Study". Aesthetic Surgery Journal 29 (1): 19–25. doi:10.1016/j.asj.2008.10.001) there is a 7–10 per cent rupture-deflation rate at 10-years post-implantation. If this is the case normally, one could expect up to 3,000 women to experience rupture so the number of 1,000 doesn’t seem so high.

Although there have been cases of rupture and leakage as well as women with the implants who get cancer, such can be expected. The real problem for me here is not the statistics about complications, it’s the fact that a substandard silicone that has not been approved to be used medically was used for the implants. Although many have been experiencing complications, when compared to other statistics such as those of California as cited in Wikipedia it seems these implants do not seem to pose an eminent threat, despite the international debate on the issue.

Belfast Abortion Clinic Opening in Ireland

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   http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/12/world/europe/abortion-clinic-to-open-in-northern-ireland.html?_r=0

  Abortion is restricted in Ireland and even more so in Northern Ireland where only a woman whose pregnancy would have a serious permanent or long-term effect on the woman’s physical or mental health is permitted to have an abortion. Despite this, a British nonprofit organization claims they plan to open an abortion clinic next week in Belfast, the first ever on the island of Ireland. This news has made anti-abortion campaigners furious, and they have promised to pressure local politicians to refuse to grant an operating license.

     The fact that many abortions are not permitted does not mean they do not occur; it just means women have to travel a little further for them. Most travel to the U.K. and pay for the service. Many women would most likely opt for going to the new clinic, which would be less expensive than traveling to England, Scotland or Wales. At this new clinic in Belfast, which hasn’t yet been granted an operating license by the local Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority, would only allow abortions up to 9 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks in the rest of Britain.

     I believe this clinic should be given the right to open. A woman would be able to more easily get an abortion (an act I am not personally interested in participating in, but one which I feel the government does not have the right to restrict).  The fact that the clinic would only allow abortions up to 9 weeks is a rather conservative take on abortion as well. I was unaware that abortion was so restricted in Ireland, but I believe it is time for that to change and for that choice to become more accessible to all through the Belfast clinic.

Blog 6 Transpeople fight for rights in Malaysia

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/06/world/asia/seeking-the-right-to-be-female-in-malaysia.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

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I am so glad I ran across this article. It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time, since we just recently covered gender and sexuality in class. We learned that gender is not dichotomous. A man can be very feminine while a woman can be very masculine. Or a woman can have a mixture of feminine and masculine qualities such as a womanly face and small chest. The possibilities are endless. This also includes men feeling that they were born in the wrong body and the same with women, commonly known as transgender. While in America we have developed some tolerance towards transgender people, in other parts of the world, they have not yet done so. Not only do they not have tolerance, it is deemed illegal in some predominantly Muslim areas such as Malaysia that have Fitnas, or religious rulings, stating it is not allowed for practicing Muslims to be transgendered.  A born male, Adam Shazrul Bin Mohammad Yusoff started wearing female clothing at age thirteen. Adam and a few others have come together and, with the help of an attorney, challenged the law. The verdict will be announced on Thursday. This law restricts transgendered people by essentially discouraging them from being who they feel they are meant to be, so the repeal of this law would mean a great deal to the transgender community of Malaysia who are now in constant fear of being arrested and jailed or fined. They do not only have legal restrictions to worry about but social discrimination is at the forefront of their minds as well. Because many will not hire them, they are forced to do sex work in order afford to keep up their appearance such as clothes, makeup, hormones, etc.  If the law (stating one cannot dress as the opposite gender than they have been officially declared as) is repealed, this could completely change the role of transpeople in society. No longer having to resort to sex work, they could hold down real jobs and have the same opportunity for success as everyone else. This could also greatly affect the number of HIV cases- out of 9.5 million transgender people across the Asia Pacific region, “alarming numbers” of men who identify as women — are HIV positive. Again, with the opportunity to get good jobs, transgendered people can move up in the social ladder and no longer participate in sex work, therefore lessening the spread of HIV. I have tried not to simply view this issue ethnocentrically, but provide evidence within the context of the culture to support the repeal of this law. Although this would not give transgendered people the complete rights they seek (they will still not be legally allowed to have gender reassignment surgery) would be a tremendous step in the right direction.

Blog5 Tsimane People: An example of good health (Morgan Whisnant)

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 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/25/health/in-the-bolivian-amazon-a-yardstick-for-modern-health.html?adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1348887995-DWlD0KG+/TvIApnFkBM3uA

In Santa Maria, Bolivia, there is a group called the Tsimane who have recently become popular to many medical studies. They prove to be the perfect group for various medical studies, because they live a typical traditional lifestyle. This means they can be the perfect comparison to the western world. So, recently many doctors have moved into the area to conduct studies. This movement of medical teams brought up a serious question: since these medical teams were being a bother to the Tsimane people, do the researchers owe it to them to provide basic medical care? The researchers decided the answer to that question was yes; they did have a moral obligation to provide free medicine for common problems like stomach parasites, and analysis of blood, urine, and feces. Then the question arose: how is it possible to study health conditions of a people that you are indeed changing? The answer is that treating minor aliments such as the previously mentioned does not affect the long-term and chronic disease being studied. The Tsimane have shown significantly less cases of heart disease, diabetes, and higher omega-3 fatty acids in breast milk which are crucial for brain development than that of the western world.

            It seems that the arrangement in Santa Maria is great for both the researchers and the people of Tsimane. The researchers are helping the people to have basic health care while the Tsimane people are allowing their lifestyles to be used for westerners to learn more about how to obtain good health. This though could turn out adversely if the Tsimane become too modernized over time with the influence of modern medicine.

#4 Ebola affects health care workers

 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/09/19/161375379/ebolas-unlikely-victims-health-care-workers

In the world of health, the health care providers usually experience a large portion of an outbreak. For example, the Congo is experiencing an outbreak of Ebola virus. Of seventy-two cases, twenty-three of them were health care workers. While hospital workers try to wear protective gear, if people see that they will be quarantined and alienated surrounded by people in protective full body suits, that may discourage them from going to the hospital. This could then cause the virus to be further spread throughout the community. Therefore, protective measures for caregivers has been decreased and the risk of them getting the virus has increased. If someone gets and accidental needle stick with the Ebola virus in the United States in a lab setting, it is far easier to treat since both the strain and time are known. In areas such as the Congo, people can contract the virus and not even know for a few days. Medical research shows that the virus can only be given an antivirus within the first 48 hours and most times people do not have symptoms then, which makes treatment complicated. These antidotes have been tested on animals but not humans, so if a government wants them to be used for treatment then they have to decide whether or not it is ethical.

            It is unfortunate that health care professionals are getting sick while trying to help provide care. It makes sense though, and while I realize they are worried about people not wanting to come to hospitals, I also I think they shouldn’t sacrifice their own safety by lessening protective measures. As far as whether or not the use of this antidote is ethical, since most people who contract the virus do in fact die, I believe it couldn’t really do much harm. I think patients should be informed of the risk and allowed to choose whether or not to take the vaccination.

Blog#3 Dengue Fever Vaccine- Success or Failure?

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http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/11/health/a-dengue-vaccine-falls-short-of-expectations.html?_r=1

A recent trial done by Sanofi and Thailand’s Mahidol University tested the new Dengue Fever Vaccine. The makers of the vaccine were aiming to protect 70 percent of the people given the vaccine compared to the control group given a placebo. This goal was not even approached, as only 30 percent of the 4,000 schoolchildren did not get the virus. Experts believe this may be because the vaccine only covers three of four strains of the virus, and in the study, most of the sick children got the uncovered virus. Therefore, the data was skewed. Some experts say the vaccine is a success since it covers three out four of the strains. Expert Duane J. Gubler even says he does not mind that the vaccine only covers three of the strains. So, this issue has become the source of some debate among the experts.

Personally, it is not an issue of whether or not the vaccine is a success or failure. I am surprised that there are still diseases and viruses affecting so many that have not been cured or prevented. This disease threatens more than half the world’s population. I was surprised to read that and then to read even as the virus made its way to Florida a few years ago it still has not been eliminated. I agree though with the experts who are staying positive through these results. Bill Gates is funding this vaccine so obviously he believes in it as well. Although it will not cover all the strains, it will prevent many from contracting a disease that many would agree can eventually be completely prevented.

Blog 2: Possible Treatment for Agent Orange Victims in Vietnam

 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/06/world/asia/agent-orange-victims-in-vietnam-get-scientology-treatment.html 

Morgan Whisnant

September 7, 2012

During The Vietnam war, many Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange a defoliant used by the United States. Decades later, the contaminant dioxin can still be found in the soil as well as in the bodies of a small number of people. The Church of Scientology has come up with a method of detoxification including strenuous exercise, sweating in a sauna, and taking vitamins and minerals. Although this treatment has not been financially backed by the United States, the Vietnamese government has accepted it, although it is not clear whether or not the Vietnamese government knew whether or not the United States supported it before they decided to. The United States is not funding this project, but last month began a program to clean up soil where a U.S. air base was once located.

The problem with such a treatment is that many are skeptical this can get rid of toxins such as dioxin which can stay in the body for several years. Dr. Marcella L. Warner who studies the long-term health effects of dioxin exposure says she does not believe such a treatment will lower the dioxin levels in the body.  In response, Karin Pouw, a spokeswoman for the Church of Scientology, said it had been used “for more than three decades to handle environmental toxins, exposure to pesticides and drug rehabilitation” and “it has many applications”.

Though no one will know until later if the program will be a success, I believe it was wise of the United States not to back it. For one, the Church of Scientology is just that- a church. True, if any church is offering a cure to something it shouldn’t matter where it comes from, but this has not yet proven to be a cure. Also, the action of the United States in starting up the soil cleanup was a great alternative, but certainly could have happened much sooner.

#1 Polio in Pakistan

http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/24/taliban-stymie-efforts-to-eradicate-polio-in-pakistan/

August 31, 2012

Morgan Whisnant 

 

In the past few years there has been a rise in polio in Pakistan. From 2010 to 2011 the number of cases rose from 144 to 198. Such a spike is due to the ban the Taliban has put on United States workers, forbidding them from coming in the area. The members of the Taliban are afraid the polio immunizations are a disguise for espionage and therefore will not let them in the area. In fact, in July a W. H. O. worker was shot and injured and within days another was killed. Even before the ban, many Pakistanis were skeptical about the vaccinations. People, especially in tribal areas, feel that the vaccines are actually a part of the United States’ plan to sterilize Muslims. Because of this belief about 200,000 children missed their polio vaccinations in the two years before the ban occurred. Thankfully, Pakistan’s government is working to help fight this disease stating earlier this year there would be a fine for parents of unvaccinated children. The Pakistani government also reached out to religious leaders in Saudi Arabia asking them to enact fatwas, rulings given by someone of religious authority on the interpretation of Islamic law. The success of this is important in saving people from polio, but is also critical in showing the Taliban cannot control the Pakistan government like a puppet. The good news is in 2012 so far only 72 cases have been reported, but this progress is threatened as polio viruses were recently found in sewage in Bahadur, and Karachi (where unsanitary conditions make the spread of the disease more likely). Many people travel to the city for work and run the risk of contracting the disease and taking it back to their home areas. The president of Pakistan, Asif Zardari, is will lead a meeting on Saturday to assess the polio situation in the country. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are the only three countries that have not yet eliminated the disease.

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http://dailycaller.com/2012/08/20/china-attacks-us-renewable-energy-subsidies

10:27 8/23

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i am sleepy.