Rebecca Skloot's Visit to UW

Rebecca Skloot’s visit to the UW campus on October 25, 2010 had been looked forward to since the beginning of the semester. Students, faculty and public filled the Kohl Center to listen to Skloot and ask questions on her book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Rebecca read excerpts from her book and discussed her journey of gathering information for the book. One point she discussed that impacted me was when Rebecca talked to Henrietta’s family; they were so uneducated that when scientists called to conduct research on them they actually believed Henrietta was alive in a jail cell. Rebecca answered many questions that UW students had submitted. In conclusion, Rebecca Skloot’s visit to the UW campus was a highlight of the semester so far and her book is an ideal fit to the Go Big Read program.
For more information on Rebecca visit her webpage.

Response to James McGuire's Post on PTSD

After reading James McGuire’s post on Ethics and Medicine I have become very informed on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an illness from high related times of stress, which can occur following any frightening event in a person’s life. James’s post discusses if the use of Propranolol is ethically correct. Propranolol is drug that consolidates one’s emotional memory and weakens emotions attached to memories. In the post James provides two different links, each supporting different views of the use of Propranolol. In the article expressing the strengths of Propanolol it provides many reasoning’s behind why it is effect to use Propranolol for PTSD patients. Propranolol provides a relief for those who need to get away from terrorizing memories. In contrast however, those who argue against the use stated that it is an anti-depressant that may manipulates one’s memory, forcing one believe something unrealistic.

            In conclusion, James’s post was very informative towards an unfamiliar topic. He provides support for each side of the topic with creditable sources.  After reading these articles I also believe with James, but depending on the circumstance. If someone in a state of PTSD is looking for depressant they may not be fully aware of the affects of the drug, and maybe just looking for a remedy. 

Visit James's blog to learn more.

Demonstration Evaluation

In the clip Global Warming, we are informed of the causes of global warming and the affects it could have on the world in the years to come. We learn the science behind global warming and how the green house gases are influencing the temperature of the planet. We learn the impact that it is having on not only the climate, but the animals also. In the conclusion, we learn different ways to safe the earth and do our part in reducing the affects of global warming.
This clip informs people of a crucial topic in our world, by informing viewers of the science and contributors of global warming; they are able to understand what global warming is. We learn how scientists research about global warming, and how they continue to conduct research. Global warming is a very important topic, and a solution for this problem needs to be found, by informing people of the problem it will help create awareness of what is happening to our planet.
During this clip they easily describe to the viewer just what is happening to the earth. They transition from causes, scientific explanation, to affect, and then to what we can do to help avoid this catastrophe. Drawbacks of this clip, are in the information given, compared to the amount unknown. This topic continues to grow and more research is needed to find an appropriate solution to the problem. In conclusion, this clip was very informative and any viewer cannot go away without learning something about global warming.

For more information on global warming visit National Geographic.

Peer Response #1

I am responding to Bryant Ray's post on whether selling organs is ethical or not. Bryant believes that the sale of organs should be legalized, but with regulations. He compares the sale of one's organs to the harvesting of plasma. Byrant believes that by legalizing the sale of organs it would be beneficial to those in need of organs and those selling, but guidelines would be needed. These include knowing the health of the donor and organ, ensuring that the buyer is paying for an organ that will be worth the surgery and the cost, and regulating the market, monitoring the prices which the organs sell at. Final Bryant makes the case that we should have the right to do what we want with our bodies. 

Bryant also provides a link to Eight Ethical Objections to an Organ Market....and Why They're Wrong by Stephanie R. Murphy. Murphy gives eight examples to why he is against an organ market. He provides many examples such as financial problems that it would create the health risks to the seller and buyer, and the danger of selling organs. Murphy also brings up a topic of religion and the selling one’s organs, a topic which I had not considered. Some religions are against the trade of one’s organs it is deemed obscene. This article makes a powerful case to why the sale of organs is wrong but in my opinion I agree with Bryant's argument, that the sale of organs should be legalized. His post contains valid arguments to the pro’s and con’s of legalizing the sale of organs, but by living in a free country we should have the right to do what we please with our body.

            Bryant provides good links to his post, showing both sides of the case.  These links make Bryant’s views unclear however. Bryant supports the selling one’s organs but his first link shows the opposite views. His second and third link provides views from both sides of the spectrum. Neither of these sources directly supports Bryant’s views and opinions on this case. Overall I agree with Bryant and belief that the sale of organs should be legalized, giving humans rights to their body in order to help others in need. Finally, I enjoyed reading Bryant's views on this topic and seeing new views on this topic.

Organs for Sale?

            What distinguishes the difference between selling one’s organs and selling one’s plasma? This comes to mind when I think about if individuals should have the right to sell their organs. There are two different ways to approach this question, from the seller or the buyer.  First, if the seller is a healthy human who can survive without one of his or her organs, why don’t they have the right to help save someone’s life by being selling their organ? From an economist’s point of view, selling one’s organs is only sensible. It is a market where if you are willing to sell, you have no risk of losing in the market; either making a profit in selling or remaining the same by keeping the organ. The product never gets wasted. People in need of an organ are going to put out a major amount of money when trying to save their life, and if you as the seller can survive without the organ, it is only logical. However, when you take the view from the buyer or one in need of an organ is it really ethical to have to pay when your life is already on the line? The buyer is already going to have to pay thousands of dollars for medical bills and now having to pay for the organ, financially it is going to leave them in a huge financial debt after their surgery. Is it really right to put someone in a position where you are putting a price tag on their life? In my personal opinion, it is legally correct, but ethically wrong. Someone who is in a position of losing their life should not have to pay the rest of their life away to survive and the one selling their organ should not be doing it for the number on the check, they should be doing it because of human compassion for each other.

            After reading “Sell Organs to Save Lives” my opinion does not change. Author Martin Wilkinson makes many powerful points on why the selling of organs should be legalized. I agree with Wilkinson, but also agree with that, the market would need to be regulated. We as humans can not be ethically correct by selling organs at overwhelming prices, forcing the buyer into unrealistic debt.  Yes, they should get paid a good deal; they are selling a part of their body and will have to change their own life style for the rest of their life. But there needs to be equilibrium within the market. Finally, if by legalizing the sale of organs decreases the number of organ donors it will make transplants for the middle or low class somewhat impossible to receive. Only the rich will be able to buy organs and not enough donors will be there to balance the number in need. Selling one’s organs can be a very profitable sale, but are you willing to make the person and their loved ones put a price on their life?

More information on the sale of organs