Science

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

I dunno. I think the world of Max Headroom is closer to my view of organ donation in the future.

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by Eärniel

The idea that an donor organ could be stripped from its donor DNA and then rebuilt with the patient's own DNA is really cool stuff. And that it will grow it's own bloodcirculation... just wow.

Originally Posted by The Gaffer

Bring on the donor pancreases!

It won't work with this technique. It's one thing to entirely strip a donor's tracheal cartilage of its cells and grow new cells on it. Remove the vivid cells of a pancreas and well, there won't be any pancreas left.

Still, really cool stuff.

[Earniel]

Originally Posted by RÃ*an

I know- absoutely amazing! And that's one of the cool things about adult stem cells - the rejection factor is eliminated when it comes from the person that it's going into. This is really wonderful stuff. There have been some absolutely amazing things done with adult stem cells.

Forgive me, RÃ*an, but I find it quite hilarious how you go out of your way to stress the 'amazing things done with adult stem cells.'

[inked]

Earniel, naughty! Naughty, Earniel!

[Rían]

Originally Posted by Eärniel

Forgive me, RÃ*an, but I find it quite hilarious how you go out of your way to stress the 'amazing things done with adult stem cells.'

I'm sorry you find it so funny I'm thrilled with all the advances made with something that so many people wanted to label as useless compared to what they thought they could do with embryonic stem cells. I think that what has already been accomplished with adult stem cells has gone farther than what people dreamed could happen with embryonic stem cells. As far as I know, nothing has been accomplished with embryonic stem cells - no, worse than nothing - tumors and things. Considering the major moral/ethical problems that so many people have with embryonic stem cells, I think adult stem cells deserve all the praise they can get, and people should be really happy about it.

[Nurvingiel]

Well, I just signed up for the Canadian database for matching stem cell and bone marrow donors. So there you go, science in action.

(I feel a bit selfish, but I actually kind of hope I never get asked to donate bone marrow. The idea of a needle in my spine gives me the screamin' willies. Inked, reassure me that the anasthetic will render me unconscious and/or the donation process is not too bad? It's pretty unlikely I'd be called upon anyway though, so I won't worry about it.)

Stem cells I have no problem with; the ones they're looking for with this database are extracted from your blood. (Needles are fine by me as long as they don't go in your bone.)

[Jonathan]

Thanks for reminding me Nurv. There's a similar Swedish bone marrow registry that I've intended to sign up for but forgot about.

And Nurv, the stem cells are never extracted from the spine, but normally from the hip bones. However the spinal or epidural anaesthesia still means you'll get a needle into your spine! And such anaesthetics won't render you unconscious It's possible though to get general anaesthesia instead which knocks you out completely.

I'll assure you that getting a needle inserted into one's spine isn't dangerous. There's no risk of paralysis or anything. The whole procedure is very undramatic. I'll take this opportunity to brag - I performed my first lumbal puncture on a patient yesterday, so I know

There's a way to extract bone marrow directly from the bloodstream, just like a regular blood donation. Priorly, you get hormonal treatment in order to make your stem cells proliferate rapidly and leak out into your blood.

Well, hope this somewhat cleared things up

[Earniel]

Originally Posted by inked

Earniel, naughty! Naughty, Earniel!

Get your mind out of the gutter, Inked. I implied nothing naughty.

Originally Posted by RÃ*an

I'm sorry you find it so funny

Hey, it's nothing to be sorry about. It's just that you mentioned you want adult stem cells to receive the praise, and then you continue to mention 'amazing things done with adult stem cells' at last three times in different wordings, once even twice in barely three sentences. As if you thought: 'Let's just mention it again, lest it slips people's mind.' The insistance just struck me as funny.

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

Well, I just signed up for the Canadian database for matching stem cell and bone marrow donors. So there you go, science in action.

Originally Posted by Jonathan

Thanks for reminding me Nurv. There's a similar Swedish bone marrow registry that I've intended to sign up for but forgot about.

Ah, you two put me to shame. I have been intending for years to go donate blood, and I never got there. And you two are even going further.

[inked]

I have been on such a registry for over a decade.

I have never been called in for a bone marrow donation, but I did once get specifically called for blood donation. They needed platelets.

I've donated blood for decades and in 4 states.

Kudos, Nurv.

Get busy, Jonathan.

Earniel, just do it! Make up for your naughtiness on this thread!

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

Really, guys, blood donation is trivial for you and important in every other way.

Do it.

[BeardofPants]

Yep. I'm a regular blood donor. It's pretty painless, and only takes about half an hour. Well worth it.

[Earniel]

I know, I know. It's just that since I'm a light-weight, I'm a little worried about how I'll react afterwards in regard to light-headiness or fainting. So I'd hate to go alone and most of my friends are likely exempt from donating themselves, and one at least will faint at the very thought of flowing blood.

[Rían]

Originally Posted by Eärniel

Hey, it's nothing to be sorry about. It's just that you mentioned you want adult stem cells to receive the praise, and then you continue to mention 'amazing things done with adult stem cells' at last three times in different wordings, once even twice in barely three sentences. As if you thought: 'Let's just mention it again, lest it slips people's mind.' The insistance just struck me as funny.

Nah, it was just excitement at that point - the things they've done are just incredible!

I donated blood a few times, but I have very low blood pressure, and I do fine for 2/3 of the bag then start to pass out. I have a rare blood type, too, and I would get calls to donate. I offered to come twice and give half a bag each time, but they turned me down - I guess they just aren't set up for that.

[BeardofPants]

Originally Posted by Eärniel

I know, I know. It's just that since I'm a light-weight, I'm a little worried about how I'll react afterwards in regard to light-headiness or fainting. So I'd hate to go alone and most of my friends are likely exempt from donating themselves, and one at least will faint at the very thought of flowing blood.

They usually give you OJ & biscuits afterwards, and I'm a lightweight too (I'm right on the allowable weight tolerance for giving blood - 55kgs), and I do fine.

[The Gaffer]

I am due a visit to the donor clinic.

Gaun yersel' jonathan! How was it? Sweaty palms? Was it for labour pains? If so, I bet you were popular...

General anaesthesia has a small risk of significant badness, so I would go epidural every time if poss.

[Rían]

Originally Posted by Jonathan

I'll take this opportunity to brag - I performed my first lumbal puncture on a patient yesterday, so I know

Hey, congrats!

*makes sure Jonathan isn't still holding a needle, then gives him a high-5*

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

Hey, cheese science.

http://www.smilefinder.com/index.php...&theme=Printer

[inked]

Weather science...

http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.c...7-af3df032e569

Was that AlGore cheese above?

[inked]

WORLD AIDS DAY

This is a sobering article on the effects of AIDS/HIV, its impact on health care issues other than itself, and the need to address priorities:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...q_k6wD94PCE880

Particularly shocking was the death rate due to dehydration/diarrhea at 5 times that of HIV/AIDS.

Science can tell us the facts about these differing diseases but it cannot tell us how to address them and on what basis to distribute medical care and medical science advances.

How do you think it should be done?

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by inked's article

By 2006, AIDS funding accounted for 80 percent of all American aid for health and population issues, according to the Global Health Council.

Is this true? That's a tad much methinks.
You raise an interesting issue, Inked. No doubt HIV funding is needed, seeing as HIV is a huge problem in Africa especially. But there are many other massive health issues in that continent that must be tackled as well. Especially since they are often a lot easier and cheaper to handle than HIV, like cholera or malaria.

Well, Bill Gates is fighting the malaria parasites at least