1.26.2007

Poem, Designer Babies, and Grocery Clinics

There is an organ donor deficit.
In order to fix this problem, something needs to be done.
I suggest two things:
1. Those who are willing to accept an organ over their lifetime, for whatever reason, must be forced to donate their organs if they decease with viable organs.
2. Economically speaking, an organ market makes sense. Ethically? I don't know. But if people were offered money for organs, they would be more likely to donate as it could benefit them and/or their families. The world runs on incentives.

Time passes you by,
Like a marching band in a parade.
You hear the sounds,
And you see the faces.

Once they are out of your view,
They are out of sight and out of mind.
Don't let your life be like that,
Listen Carefully. Inspect with Precision. Remember.

News.
(click quotes for stories)

1.
Cancer therapy 'shortens penises'
"Men who have hormone and radiation therapy for prostate cancer can experience penile shortening, a study has suggested."

2.
Microwave 'sterilisers' warning
"Firefighters have warned of the dangers of zapping sponges and cloths in the microwave despite a study showing it could kill harmful bacteria."

3. Bread, milk -- and a diagnosis
"As the nation's healthcare system struggles to provide affordable care to all who need it, store-based health clinics -- like those operated by Lindora Inc. -- are springing up around the country. By using mostly nurse practitioners instead of doctors, and operating in a corner of an existing business, the clinics are able to provide some basic health services for around $40 to $70 per visit — in less time than it takes to eat lunch. Most are even open evenings and weekends, when the lights are out in private doctors' offices."

4. Idea of 'designer' babies with defective genes stirs ethics questions
"The power to create "perfect" designer babies looms over the world of prenatal testing. But what if doctors started doing the opposite? Creating made-to-order babies with genetic defects would seem to be an ethical minefield, but to some parents with disabilities -- say, deafness or dwarfism -- it just means making babies like them."

1 comment:

The Angry Medic said...

Heh. Nice solutions up there. They actually make sense.

Now all we have to do is to think how best to propel you into the Health Secretary's office to present those ideas to the thickheads inside. How does being strapped to a cannonball suit you? :)