SCANNING PSYCHOPATH

Psychopaths. Perhaps I've watched too many horror movies and CSI reruns, but the mere thought of them in the dead of night keep me up with my pulse going faster than the Road Runner being chased by While E. Coyote. How can someone be detached completely from their emotions that they can feel no guilt or remorse from their actions? How does someone not care about other people, or getting caught for what they've done? I wonder if that is what makes them so feared by society. It's almost impossible to explain the weird feeling when thinking about them. I think it might partially have to do with how they are depicted in horror movies, how they toy with the mind and are so sadistic.

In the article "Scanning Psychopath," it raises the concern of how they blend so well into society. I think that's one of the most terrifying things about psychopaths. Being so into fictional shows, I've always thought they were easy to spot, because there was always something off about those individuals that sent off alarms and red flags so I was pretty shocked to find just how easily they can blend into the norm. In reality, there is no warning music or carefully crafted scenes to show what goes on behind closed doors. This is exactly why psychopaths poses as such a threat. There ability to camouflage means that they can be anyone with access to whoever they want. The fact that they can charm and deceit their way into other people's lives is -for the lack of a better work- very disturbing. For other types of criminals, it is much less frightening because they are easier to spot. They have habits and distinctive behaviour or life styles that flashes "I'm probably trouble so stay away". The signs for psychopaths are simply not there.

And if that isn't enough to send chills down one's spine, I think it's the fact that they feel no empathy or remorse for their actions that takes the cake. Or the fact that what goes on inside there mind cannot be understood. As humans we fear the unknown and that's exactly what psychopaths are. With their mysterious and twisted mind, they are almost like the real-life version of the boogie monster. It's hard to tell what they will do and because of their nature, they are emotionally capable of doing just about anything without so much as breaking a sweat. The unpredictability that comes from their lack of feeling is definitely a strong contender on why they are feared by society.

In truth, I can't exactly pin point what precisely makes them so scary. Maybe it's the way the media portrays them, maybe it's the way way the merge into the society like normal people, or maybe it's their different way of thinking. What I do know is that there is something so eerily scary about them that sets them apart from other criminals. And since I procrastinated yet again on doing my blogs, searching for a picture of a psychopath in the middle of the night was not a pleasant experience so here's the picture:

OPENING UP BRAIN SURGERY

It's never easy to talk about diseases like Parkinson's Disease which I think is one of the worst forms of diseases to be unfortunate enough to be plagued with. Parkinson's Disease is a very common neurdegenerative disease that hinders moment. It starts with slight trembling of muscles, then it eventually results in difficulties talking, walking and overall functioning. Not that it is as horrendous, painful or life threatening as many other diseases, it's the nature of Parkinson's that is uneasy. The fact that one is losing control of their own body is a scary thought. Something so simple as lifting tying shoelaces is an ability that most people take for grated. When that ability is taken away, the yearning to be able to do that again will definitely be overwhelming  I for one, cannot imagine living in a body which I have no control over. It must feel suffocating.

I have very mixed feelings on treatment, there are always pros and cons  making it an inner battle over which is the better option. However, as far as I know, I am strong in my decisions and opinions for this particular disease. There is no doubt that I will take most side effects for a chance for beating or slowing the effects Parkinson's Disease. What makes this decision so easy is simply the fact that nothing can be worse than letting the disease progress. With treatment there is a chance at leading a normal and fulfilled life. Even if there are complications and side effects, it is better than wasting away and letting the disease take over the body. I think when it comes to treatments, it boils down to which path will lead you to a more fulfilled life. It doesn't necessarily mean the easiest or longest, but the one that makes the best of the one life we are gifted with. For this disease, it attacks motor skills and the ability to function and do daily things. Letting it progress is like allowing one's self to be tied down. Living that kind of life is not truly living and surely if something kind of medication is available to slow and lessen the effects, one would take it. So yes, I would opt for the road of treatment. Also because the treatment is not as invasive as many other major treatments. I think the benefits of treating Parkinson's much out weights the side effects.

However, medication and treatment is such a personal thing. It is very much based on personal opinion. I am lucky enough  that I do not have to make the decision this time. Perhaps my opinions will change once I am actually faced with the real decision instead of the 'what if' scenario.  For the people who do, I don't think it is society's job to tell them what the better alternative is. Everyone has a different idea of what life should be like. I think it is in everyone's best interest to let the heart lead the way this time. Well, obviously research on side effects and some medical guidance is needed too when weight there options.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

Throughout the years as my all too quick transition into adulthood progressed, I've noticed that with each coming grade, the work and stress level from school has been increasing exponentially. More often than not, I am feeling bombarded with too much work to handle and finding myself up at odd hours of the night reading over test notes half awake while on my third cup of coffee. Somehow, even though I have everything so easy, I feel like I am carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.....or my eyelids to be exact. 

Sometimes I blame my teachers for piling everything all at once. Sometimes I blame all the adults in my life for forgetting what it was like to be young and clueless. But with a deeper look at things, I realise that maybe I'm the problem here. No matter how much or how little homework I am given, I am always finishing everything at the last moment. I also know that I am definitely not unique or alone in this. The amount of course work from school is nothing that students shouldn't be able to handle, in fact, there is plenty of time to finish everything and sleep a good eight hours a night.

From the article " While You Where Sleeping," it is shown just how important a good night's rest for a developing teenager's brain really is. It is shocking how much learning takes place when you are unaware of it all. Sleeping has never seemed like an important thing to consider for me up until now. It has really shed some new light on how cramming for school instead of sleeping can really take its toll on students. However, there seems to be a hard time finding a way out of the tiresome loop of cramming then feeling completely zoned out the following day then repeating it all again. So this lack of time to finish everything is simply due to bad habitual choices and the extreme amounts of procrastination. With that said, I definitely don't think that students are give to much homework to sleep. I think it is because we spend so much time doing everything else that we are left with no choice but to cut in to our precious sleeping hours. I mean who can resist the alluring calls of the oh-so-addictive internet. Next thing you know, it's time for bed and nothing is ready for the next day. Even if the amount of homework lessens, it will only make more time for procrastination and a generation of lazy and unproductive students who will take advantage of the system.I think homework is needed. It's preparation for the real world. If students are spoon fed so much during high school, how are they going to fend for themselves upon graduation?

What students really need is guidance to get out of these bad habits. I think instead of lessening the homework load, it's much better to help students tackle these bad habits and instil better life choices. This could include learning to prioritize and not procrastinate. Also, schools can try to promote effective ways in which good time management skills are taught to students at an earlier age. Not only will this allow the students to catch some extra Zzzzzzs at night, but it will also carry them much further in life. 

CHEMOTHERAPY

The presentation of the article The Cancer Genome reminded me of the book Before I Die by Jenny Downham. It entails a tragic story of a young girl diagnosed with leukaemia. Having gone through four years of chemotherapy, she decides to stop treatment and make a bucket list of things to do with her time left instead. Her one wish before she dies was to experience what it meant to really live.

For me this was the turning point on how I viewed cancer. Yet after the heart wrenching presentation, I somehow grew a deeper hatred for the disease. Even though I have never experienced anything remotely close to having cancer, this topic is very easy to resonate with. I think it is because of the common controversy on the idea of chemotherapy.  I think chemotherapy treatment really depends on the patient though. Because chemotherapy is so destructive to the body. First of all, no one should be making the decision of chemotherapy other than the patient and their parents if they are not of age. However, there are some cases which I think are more fitted for chemotherapy. One being the young. If you have so much to live for and so many people to live for, how do you just let go of life without giving a fighting shot? Also if the cancer is not that sever, chemotherapy treatment may be a good idea if the cancer can be put into remission and there is a chance at a semi-normal life. So I think for these two cases chemotherapy is a good idea because it will slow the disease and kill the cancer cells. Even though it will cause hair loss and a lot of discomfort, when the end prize is life, it is worth it.

However, I also think that some people are unfitted for chemotherapy and that is the old and the severally affected. I think once a person is old enough, the pain and trouble of chemotherapy is not worth living their last few years of life as a patient. Instead I think it would be nice if they made a bucket list and go out to do some of the stuff they never thought that they would do. Another is if the cancer is too sever to cure. If chemotherapy will only delay the spread of the cancer by a bit, then I don't think it is worth it. Why live a bit longer while not really living when you can live a bit shorter but truly live.

When it comes down to it though, it is a personal decision that has to be made by the one affected. However if to list the advantages and disadvantages of chemotherapy here would be
my list in a nut shell:
Advantages: To slow down the spread of cancer by killing cancer cells and relieving the symptoms of cancer as well as to increase chances of survival and extend life span.
Disadvantages: Life during chemotherapy will consists of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, hair loss, organ damage, weekly treatments and high expenses.

The problem is that chemotherapy is not a cure, but an delay. So is the price of chemotherapy worth this 'delay' in death. Obviously there would be a lot that goes into considering whether chemotherapy is right for an individual. Personally, it would be a hard decision to make and I would really have to weigh my options of this one. I think I will definitely do it if I am young, if not just for me then probably for my parents.

However, if I am really old I actually think that cancer would be an ideal way to die once I am done everything I need to in life. Then I can have a predetermined time frame of when I am going to die. Then I can go out and do all the things I would never do if I knew I had more time. It also would give me time to say goodbye to my family and those important to me. But this would be when I have already finished living my life and is ready to go. Other wise, if I still have something or someone to live for, I will fight cancer. Or die trying. 

iPS CELLS

Induced pluripotentiary cells or also known as iPS cells are adult somatic cells that are not naturally pluripotent but are induced or forced to differentiate into different cell types. This is important as it could potentially be an efficient alternative to embryonic stem cells which there are a lot of ethical and moral issues surrounding. Even though iPS cells are relatively new and needs more research, it has already proven to be a useful tool in the scientific and medical field. So through this a new way to de-differentiate cells has come to be and this is similar to how stem cells work, but only the cells have a predetermined developmental fate into specific cell types. One of the great advantages of this is that the tissues derived from this type of iPS cells will be identically matched to the cell donor and will avoid the risks of body rejection of the immune system. iPS cells have the potential to lead medical research in creating all types of advancements for treating diseases and organ failures.

What about stems cells the? Are iPS cells really a good alternative to stem cells, or are there draw backs that will make iPS cells vastly inferior to stem cells? Well, there are advantages and disadvantages with these induced pluripotent cells. Firstly, one of the clear advangages of iPS cells is the lack of ethical and moral issues surrounding the use and study of. Another advantage would be the lack of immune system rejection from the body. It is an innovative way to replacing damaged parts of the body and as shown in studies, it has already proven to be able to restore sight by replacing tissues in the eyes. iPS cells may go much further than stem cells will simply because the research of it will not cross the many morality lines that embryonic stems cells have to. In addition iPS cells are also easier to obtain since they can be created in a laboratory unlike embryonic stem cells which needs to be obtained through umbilical cords and embryos. There are some disadvantages as well though, one being that iPS cells take a long time and a lot of money to produce and since it is specialized for each individual, it becomes very time consuming. Another things is that stem cells are so successful that iPS cells might find it harder to launch. However, I do think that iPS cells are a great asset and there's a lot of future possibilities if further research continues. I think eventually, using iPS cells, scientists will be able to create an entire human being with it, and of course that will bring forth much conversational ethical issues because the technology will definitely be abused by some. However, as of now, there is definitely more benefits then disadvantages. As for any future problems with the induced pleuripotent cells, they will definitely be there, but only time will tell problems will exactly arise. Even if that happens, we must tackle it head on as a community, but since society is evolving so fast, it is hard to make predictions on how everything will work out.

WHAT TO MAKE WITH DNA ORIGAMI

Oh no! There is no blog topic on Moodle for this article. (To be written in the future)

With that I leave you with a beautifully made paper crane.

FAST AND FURIOUS

When reading the article Fast and Furious my mind instantaneously went to the 2005 science fiction film - The Island - where human clones were made to serve as spare parts for the `naturally conceived`. The scary part of it all was how close our reality is fast approaching the fiction of the movie.

     In a few year's time, it is very plausible that through genetic cloning, health care will never be the same again. Kidney failed? No problem, take one for the clone. In all honesty, it sounds like a dream come true for many sufferers and an easy fix when first looking at it. If we have the technology and knowledge, why don't we do it? I think much of it has to do with the ethical attachments of this issue. Where is the line to be drawn when genetic research is to say enough when it comes to human morals? Or will the world escalate to the level of The Island where clones that are just as much human as you and I are kept and used as spares?

    I think having the ability being able to clone an entire human being is an asset and will no doubt lead to further great things. However, I think it must be done cautiously. With the power synthesize human beings, there will definitely be those who abuse it. It's because there's so much that can be done with this ability, yet much of that crosses a big moral boundary (which not everyone will abide to). With the alluring promises of synthesizing human beings, I think it is going to happen eventually. However, I think that the current society is nowhere near ready for such an advancement. Synthesizing a person may come attached with many flowery benefits, but the consequences that follow may just be heavier.

In my opinion, though I think synthesizing a entire functioning human being is pushing it and our society is just not ready for it yet. I am not extremely against the idea but also not a supporter of the extreme. I also do not think our society will embrace the idea of a synthetically made human very well. However if I were in the position of a mother with a child in need of an transplant, I am sure I will stand very differently on the topic.

Science has a limit. That limit is the society that welds the power of that science. If the society is not mature enough to be given such a responsibility, then there is a limit. I think it is very plausible for the world we know to slip into the reality of The Island. That in itself is a consequence. I think it is like slavery or any other sinful things we have practised in the past. So today, my moral compass says no to synthesizing a human. But ideas change and so do beliefs. I think our such extreme cloning will grace our world eventually if we don`t self destruct first. It is inevitable as to say how we will handle it and ease it into society. For that only time will tell.