Antibiotics: Are we running out?

Since the discovery of penicillin, antibiotics have changed the world of medicine.  However, it is time to
re-evaluate our dependency on them.  We often take for granted our "triumph of science over bacteria," but there are more and more infections that are unaffected by antibiotics.  Already, there are 100,000 deaths in the U.S. per year due to antibiotic-resistant infections.  We have overused antibiotics, allowing more strains of bacteria to pass on resistant traits.  By using them in animal feed, on diseases they can't cure, and not finishing antibiotic treatments (many patients stop taking antibiotics when they feel better, leaving resistant bacteria to multiply), we "handicap" ourselves.

Not many new antibiotics have been discovered recently.  We cannot rely on new antibiotics to fight resistant infections.  We must find new ways to fight them off.  $94 million has been spent on research for rare, bioterrorism agents like anthrax and plague, while only $16 million has been spent on developing new medications for drug-resistant pathogens.  We must think about antibiotics in the same terms as other nonrenewable resources- conservation and sustainable use.  This will mark a paradigm shift.  Currently, it is estimated that 50% of all antibiotic use is unnecessary.  Doctors prescribe them as a precaution or to ward of infections that have not yet occurred.  We cannot allow that to happen any longer.  If we act now, it is still possible for antibiotics to be effective.

A Case for Video Games

According to the New York Times, by the age of 21, the typical American has spent 10,000 hours playing computer games.  The constant question has been "Why are so many people wasting their time?  However,  now some experts are asking other questions, such as "Why are these games so much more absorbing than the real world?  How can problem-solving skills used for these games be beneficial?"  In the past, puzzles and games were considered instructional tools.  The emperor Charlemagne charged a young scholar with the task of compiling "Problems to Sharpen the Young."  Once puzzles and gaming "went digital," and became more popular, it was called "escapism" or "addiction."

One thing many players enjoy about online gaming is the fact that they overcome obstacles in pursuit of a goal.  They get instantaneous feedback and positive encouragement from the computer and other players when they do overcome an obstacle.  They are rewarded as the game goes on, and even when they fail over and over, they continue on until they complete the challenge.

The home screen for ChoreWars

Some games could prove to have a positive impact.  For example, in Cruel 2 B Kind, a game developed by Dr. McGonigal, players advance by being nice to strangers in public places.  Families are also fans of ChoreWars, an online game in which children earn real rewards, like choosing music for the next care ride, by doing chores.  One important thing that can be taken away from games is that you can turn the sense of "failing" to "haven't succeeded yet."  If that concept can be applied to real life, there might be a case for video games.

A character in the ChoreWars game

Cyber Bullying

I recently read an article in the New York Times about cyber bullying.  In regard to people posting mean comments on Facebook pictures, the writer said, "This is a dark, vicious side of adolescence, enabled and magnified by technology."  Does technology magnify bullying?  It definitely offers a whole new way to bully, and online, bullying is a lot more secretive and behind the back.  Many children, while they may understand technology, lack the maturity to comprehend its consequences.  More and more parents are using software programs that can block web sites, send alerts when the child searches for them, monitor cellphones and track G.P.S. locations.  All this can be done without the child knowing.

One case in the article was about a girl that had been playing sexualized Truth or Dare games online.  Her mother, Christine, found out and cut off the girl's Internet access for months.  When the girl earned the privileges back,  Christine used programs that limited computer time and blocked sites as well as a keystroke logger that records everything written or seen on their home computer.  She also had her daughter's Facebook password in order to read the girl's private messages.  That is how she found out about many sexual messages between her young daughter and older boys at school.

I understand why parents would use this type of software to try and protect their children.  However, children need to learn how to make good decisions, and learning from the consequences is a good way.  If parents go to extreme measures to restrict their children's Internet use and protect them from the "real world", those children might not truly understand what to do in the "real world" when they grow up.  These types of software and restrictions should not be used in place of good parenting.  Instead of placing restrictions, parents should try to make their kids understand the consequences of technology.  Children should learn to practice good habits, not just respond to parental restrictions.

Bionic Implants

Technology has allowed us to make great leaps in the field of medicine.  Bionic implants, a revolutionary new field is becoming more realistic.  Three blind patients in Europe had their sight restored by using artificial light sensors and microchips in their retinas.  We can use synthetic body parts for many things, such as replacing damaged tissue, limbs and organs.  Obviously, this technology could be essential to saving someone's life via synthetic organs or skin grafts for burn victims. However, it is also used to improve the quality of life.

Scientists believe that a prosthetic brain is possible.  Dr Theodore Berger from the University of Southern California is working on developing a device that could help victims of Alzheimer's disease with memory function.  Surgeons plan on being able to implant a fully artificial heart that could totally replace the natural heart by 2011.  Research is also being done on bionic muscles and tendons, and some scientists are even working on synthetic skin that gives robots a sense of touch.

This is amazing technology.  It could easily save or better the lives of many people.  However, we must consider where to draw the line for improving quality of life.  Helping Alzheimer's patients sounds great, but what about engineering a prosthetic brain chip that could be used to increase intelligence.  More ethical issues begin to arise.  Bionic implants are the way of the future.  It will be interesting to see how far we as a society let them develop.

Obesity Surgery: The best option?

Obesity is a disease that affects 34% of the American adult population.  Statistics show that obesity has steadily increased since 1960, resulting in more and more health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.  While it has a strong genetic component, it is irresponsible to only blame your family for passing on bad genes.  Your environment is a huge contributor to weight.  Diet and exercise are the deciding factors in many cases of obesity, and unfortunately, physical activity isn't required to function in our society.

Obesity surgery, especially gastric bypass and gastric banding, have become more and more common as the number of overweight citizens increase.  Obviously, in many situations, surgery might be the best option to save someone's life or to prevent health problems.  However, the availability of these surgeries devalues the benefits of a good diet and exercise.  A recent article in the New York Times discussed how the FDA is considering lowering how obese someone must be to qualify for the Lap-Band device, which restricts intake to the stomach.  If the FDA approves this change, the number of Americans eligible for the Lap-Band operation could easily double.   These surgeries give people more opportunities to take the "easy way out."  Long-term weight reduction is hard to maintain after the surgery because many Americans do not eat healthy or exercise.  They expect the surgery to take care of their weight problems.  I am not discrediting obesity surgery as a legitimate way to help people, but the focus should be more on educating Americans about healthy lifestyle choices instead of making surgery more available.