The World is Just Awesome

The fourth theme; Continuity and Change is in a way related to my summer reading.

One persons genetic code is 100 percent original to that one person. The next persons genetic code is 100 percent original to that person. The only two people who could ever even have a chance to hold the same genetic code would be identical twins.  Genes are a continuing necessity that every person has and needs. When genes are passed down from parent to child they go through a process where they get tangled and switched around. This causes every  person to be their own individual. As genes continue to be as original to each individual person they also manage to be changing whenever they are transferred down through birth.

This book illustrates this by showing how all the blood sample results were different. They knew they would have caught the killer if the blood sample matched because there was no possible way that anyone else could have that same blood sample.

Every person is like a barcode on a can of soda. Each individual on this earth has their own barcode. It is their genetic makeup that makes them 100 percent unique from everyone else. Every person who has ever existed on this earth has their own DNA. That will continue to be true till the day the Earth dies. However the DNA and genetic code of each family had changed and evolved over time. This makes is possible that every person in the family is unique and their own person.

Can you imagine living in a family or a world where everyone had the same genetic makeup?

DNA will always be apart of our world. DNA is continuing to change and bring new lives into our society.

The second theme my book introduced to me is Science as a Process.

Genetic fingerprinting is a process in science. Alec Jefferys is the geneticist who discovered and introduced this process to the world. There is one chapter in the book that focuses on just that process and how it has been developing throughout the years of research. It talks about how he first discovered the process was even possible. Also how he used trial and error to see the fingerprintings flaws. The part of the chapter that talked about how he tested several different samples to see how they matched up was the most fascinating thing. It really showed evidence of how science really is used as a process. Its amazing how many steps and trials scientists go through to publish a new discovery or even get a lead to start more testing.

There was also a part in this book that talked about one of the suspects having broke his leg. It said he broke it in November  and was not walking on it perfectly till a month after the new year. This leads me to believe it took doctors and technology 4 months to heal this mans broken leg. Today, we could have a broke leg healed in 4 to 6 weeks. This opened my eyes and made me realize how advanced we are today compared to only 20 years ago. This point goes back to the first theme I found in this book Science, Technology and Society. It is another advancement in technology that was introduced and had positive results on society as a whole. This advancement was only possibile because of Science as a Process. I’m finding that when a new discovery is introduced, its almost known that its because of a process that was tested and fixed to work just how scientists want.

A third theme found in “The Biology of Hope” is Regulation. When our body is attacked by a bacteria or virus the immune system is called upon to eliminate the invader.

The process goes a little something like this:

1. Virus invades and tries to replicate and take over cells in the body
2. Macrophages recognize the threat and begin destroying the viruses by engulfing them
3. stimulated by the release of interleukins from macrophages, Helper T cells and interferons, Natural Killer cells attack virally infected cells.
4. Helper T cells emit signals to B cells and cytotoxic T cells
5.  B cells mature into plasma cells and produce antibodies
6. Antibodies bind to the virus and neutralize it
7. Cytotoxic T cells use lethal proteins against virally infected cells
8. As the body begins to conquer the virus, supressor T cells help the immune system gear down in order to prevent it from attacking the body
9. Memory T and B cells are created that permanently circulate in the bloodstream so that in the future the virus can be quickly conquered

Now if ,like me, your going to have a hard time remembering all of that…  you can thank world-renown immunologist Dr. Gustav J. V. Nossal for coming up with a condensed version for the role of the immune system. Just remember: encounter, recognition, activation, deployment, discrimination, and regulation. Foreign cells invade the body and are targeted (encountered) by immune cells which then identify the cell as harmful or not (recognition). If it is harmful, the immune cells are activated and set off a defense system to get rid of the microorganisms (deployment). While attacking they must discriminate between the invader and the body’s own tissue so as not to cause the body any unwanted harm. The immune system uses regulation to gauge the amount of response that is necessary in order to sufficiently protect the body.

My second theme for Our Stolen Future is Evolution and its relationship with genetic variability. Genetic variability is one component that allows offspring to survive in a demanding and changing environment. 

An experiment conducted by Fredrick Vom Saal involved the study of female mice and the sensibility of their wombs, which he suggests was molded by evolution.Vom Saal noticed that both female and male mice could have obvious difference in personalities, namely aggression. But if they all had nearly identical genes, and grew up in the same living conditions- what could be the source of their differences? 

Since those two variables were canceled out, Vom Saal looked in to the prenatal stage. The first variability is the womb of a mouse. The womb is much different from the womb of a human, a mouse womb resembles two pea pods called horns, and each fetus mouse would represent a pea. Human wombs are just one chamber, or pod. With this set up he inquired whether the mice could affect each other during development.

 When a male fetus was squeezed in between two female mice, he was found to have higher estrogen levels due to the estrogen that “spilled” over from his sisters. They dubbed him the “Playboy” and the male mouse with male womb mates and no estrogen exposure as the “Good father”. Ideally, a female between males was found with higher levels of testosterone (once again, spilled over from her brothers) was dubbed the “Ugly sister” and her counterpart the “Pretty sister”. Playboy mice were found to be shockingly –slightly more aggressive to their young and had more mates, despite their estrogen exposure. However, the good father was more aggressive to other male adults allowing him to protect himself, which are the typical results we are use to.

The Ugly sister was found to be more aggressive as well, and gave off pheromones that male mice, 8 out of 10 times were not attracted too. Her pretty sister, who’s the exact opposite, was gentle and had numerous mates which results in more offspring. It would seem the pretty sister would have an advantage, but in largely populated areas such as common with mice populations, the ugly sister prevails since she is able to protect her young due to her aggressive personality. The second variability that affects the outcome is the physical condition of the female mouse during pregnancy. The more stress she endures, the more likely she is to produce females with the ugly sister characteristics, or as the book states more Tough cookies. 

This is where my theme of evolution and genetic variability comes in. The sensitivity of the female womb is likely to be shaped by evolution (As Saal hinted). Since her womb is susceptible to variables such as stress, and the shape of her womb; she is more likely to produce a variety of offspring (pretty sisters, ugly sisters, playboys and good fathers all with their own pros and cons) that are capable of surviving by evading natural selection and passing on their genes and characteristics, in a daunting environment.

Side note- they tie this in with how synthetic chemicals can pose as estrogen known as hormone disruptors, with the possibility of  affecting outcome and fertility of the developing animals- and humans.

The book I chose for my summer reading was written by Joseph Wambaugh called The Blooding. This book was written in 1989 about two murders committed in small villages in England. One in 1983 and the other in 1986. This book goes into great detail about how the police constabulary was going abut solving the crimes. This book introduces the process of DNA genetic fingerprinting. The idea that you can take two blood, semen, skin or hair samples, put both samples through mulitiple stages and when you get the results be able to see if the samples came from the same body or crime scene.

The theme my book best illustrates is Science, Technology and Society.  This is exactly what my book is all about. How can one scientific discovery or advance in technology change the lives of people in society?

Research of genetic fingerprinting was going on just miles away from where police were investigating the two murders. They did not get word of genetic fingerprinting until 1986. Three years after the first murder, but just months after the second. The police of the Leicestershire Constabulary investigated and were looking for the killer the whole three years inbetween murders. When the second murder took place and they found the second body, they knew they were working with the same person. When they got word of the genetic fingerprinting process they decided to go full force and put the newly discovered process to the test.

In England in 1986 they did not use genetic fingerprinting in investigations the same way we do today in the United States. When police were told they could begin blood testing there suspects and sending the samples to the lab they didn’t  just test the few suspects. They tested damn near everyone in the villages that could’ve possibly committed those murders. The police hand delivered letters to the homes of everyone who needed to be tested. Each letter had a time and date that you were to attend to have your blood sample taken. Now, of course the cops didn’t think that the killer would just show up and give them his blood. That would be foolish. They just hoped it would some how flush him out. That’s exactly what it did.

The discovery and use of genetic fingerprinting during these years in England made it possible to catch the man who killed. Who knows without the discovery where that man would be today? Or if he would’ve killed again? This process also got tested and used so much in the months that the Constabulary were sending out those letters. The labs were backed up for months, as you can imagine a brand new discovery getting so many samples to run. Today, you can run a test and have the results within hours. In 1986, it took days.

The use of genetic fingerprinting was used and eventually did solve the murders. After testing 4,583 people in the villages they finally caught there man. Can you imagine a lab filled with 4,583 blood samples of possible murderers?

The use of genetic fingerprinting quickly spread to the United States. By 1988 genetic fingerprinting had been used in several cases throughout nine states, all with positive results. As you can see this discovery introduced new ways and ideas around the world to solve more then just murder cases. The discovery of DNA genetic fingerprinting, to this day still impacts society.

A second theme found in the book “The Biology of Hope” is science, technology, and society. Throughout history the advancement of medicine has helped to increase life span an general well-being.

In the 19th century the technique of bloodletting was believed to counteract illnesses. Then the purge dominated treatment throughout the early years of the 20th century. Followed by a rise in surgical procedures which included removal of the appendix, then later the tonsils.

Slowly, however, it was recognized that the human body isn’t all that faulty. Not everything for which a specific purpose could not be found had to be removed. Also, many illnesses could be avoided altogether through good nutrition and exercise.

While our increased awareness of the human body has allowed us to identify illnesses and prescribe appropriate treatments it has also become a venue for a society of hypochondriacs and caused an increased dependency on pills. Not to mention that bills are quite expensive. Today doctors are not paid to “talk” with a patient. They are paid for procedure and treatment so you can expect less one-on-one time with your doctor and more time getting to know the x-ray, CT or ultrasound machine. Yet nobody complains… they’re all looking for a quick-fix.

In one study carried out by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 780 heart disease patients over a period of 5 years were carefully followed. One group received bypass surgery while the other received medical therapy. The study showed that the 5 year survival and heart attack rates were the same for those who received the therapy to those that received the surgery. Not only did the therapeutic patients save approximately $35,000 in hospital costs and surgeon’ fees but they also got the benefit of not having to undergo a dangerous procedure.

“Head First- the Biology of Hope” by Norman Cousins is a journal of the 10 years Cousins spent on the faculty of UCLA’s medical school, during which he attempts to prove that positive attitudes and emotions (in particular happiness) can have advantageous physiological effects, including an enhanced immune system.

The First and most obvious theme present in this book is science as a process. There is already abundant medical research that shows how the brain, under circumstances of negative emotions such as panic, depression, fear and stress, can produce powerful changes in the body’s chemistry. However, is it also possible that positive emotions such as faith, hope, purpose, love, will to live and laughter can help in combating serious  disease? This is the question Cousins poses on the scientific community.

His obsession led him to,with the help of a group of renown doctors and scientists, study and develop the newly formed concept of psychoneuroimmunology- the study of how psychological and emotional states influence disease resistance via interactions with the nervous,endocrine, and immune systems.

Through multiple programs created (most of  which served as support groups in various medical centers) Cousins was able to gather an increasing amount of evidence supporting his hypothesis. In one study laughter was found to play a part in the brains ability to activate secretions called endorphins which act as a natural pain killer and stimulant to the immune system. In another study comparative measurements were taken to show the differences in immune systems between two groups of melanoma patients. Patients in the control group who received only the prescribed medical and surgical treatment actually showed a decrease in Leu-seven cells while those in the research group who received the prescribed treatment plus education in ways of coping psychologically and were able to reduce anxiety about their illness showed the desired increase in Leu-seven cells and showed less cases of recurrence.

Continued advances in the field of psychoneuroimmunology could lead to a system of medicare that is not only geared towards working with the bodies own defense system but also helps to reduce our dependency on prescriptions and pill.

Note:                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Glandular System-secretes hormones into the blood                                                                                                                                 Leu-seven cells- one of the natural killer cell series in the immune system that helps destroy cancer cells

Frond

This picture a fern is used to represent the frond. A frond is defned as “an often large, finely divided leaf, esp. as applied to the ferns and certain palms”. So that is why I used a picture of a fern. It has a finely divided leaves, making it  frond.

Endotherm

This picture of my cat is a representation of an endotherm. An endotherm is a warm-blooded animal. Which means it generates heat to maintain body temperature. Endotherms are mammals and birds.

Conifer Leaves

This represents conifer leaves. Conifer leaves are cone bearing, which are generally evergreen trees.

AmnioticEgg

This is an amniotic egg, which is an egg from a bird. This is an egg from a chicken, making it an amniotic egg.

Scale from an Animal with a Chambered Heart

This picture represents the scale from an animal with a chambered hearted. When I looked up “an animal with a chambered heart” the definition was a fish. So here is a fish. It is a male betta. With a chambered heart.

Long Day Plant

A long day plant required a long day of sunlight, which is 14 hours. Clover,as pictured, is a long day plant. Therefor, requiring at least 14 hours of sunlight.

Thorn of a Plant

These a thorns of a rose bush. Roses bushes are plants, and these are the thorns…

Cellulose

Cellulose is defined as “an inert carbohydrate, (C₆H₁₀O₅) _n, the chief constituent of the cell walls of plants and of wood, cotton, hemp, paper, etc”. So this a wood on a tree. Cellulose makes up about 50% of wood.

Ectotherm

An ectotherm is a cold-blooded animal, which means their body temperature depends on the temperature around them. Examples are reptiles, frogs, and fish.

Autotroph

An autotroph is something that produces organtic compunds, which are plants. During photosynthesis, plants produce organic compounds. So I posted a picture of plants.

The most important theme I found in my reading was the last theme; Science, Technology, & Society. It state’s “Scientific research often leads to technological advances that can have positive and/or negative impacts upon society as a whole”. Basically Europe and America decided to put a leader in charge of the Congo because Africa couldn’t agree on one and since the leaders put in charge of both countries were working these two countries could make Africa work (the scientific research part). This new leader was given an army who were given rights to guns, bombs, and other artillery to use when needed; which they thought was whenever somebody spoke out about not liking the new leader (the technological advance part). The killing of innocent people, including children, caused the people of Africa to rebel and fight back essentially causing a war which had a negative effect on society as a whole. However there was a positive impact because now the Congo has a new leader and everyone seems to be working together with few complaints. So putting a new leader in charge of  the Congo helped the neighboring countries learn from that mistake but it also showed the Congo that they could have a leader.

Aundrea Wells

The Poisonwood Bible; Barbara Kingsolver

While continuing to read the Poisonwood Bible; written by Barbara Kingsolver, I continued to find more theme’s of biology. The first theme; Science As a Process, was used towards the end of the book after things started going terribly wrong for the family of white missionaries living in the Congo. The women of this story used the process of hypothesis testing to see if what their Baptist Father/Husband was telling them about God was true. He claimed that the righteous shall be rewarded and everyone else will be punished for their wrong-doing’s. However after seventeen months of praising God through good and bad situations the women stopped caring whether they lived or died, especially after loosing their youngest kin to a Mamba snake bite. God did not punish them for abandoning their father and leaving Kilanga, their home, nor did he punish them for scrounging up everything they earned. By the end of the book the women all decided to abandon their faith and belief in God because they wanted to test his faith to see what God would do to them. No God came to their rescue, or for that matter their Baptist Father’s who was expelled from the village and burnt to a crisp by his “follower’s”. No punishment came to the women for surviving either. This theme say’s Science is a way of knowing and through their testing of God they found there is no God.

Another theme I found was the third theme; Energy Transfer. While the women were fighting their conscience, famine, and malnutrition they found the will power to fight for life. Energy is the capacity to do work and these women did do work. They used their energy to walk for days to find salvation from the ruin they left behind, build crops, housing, and a semi-sanitary living space. They had little energy already and were fighting Malaria along with fifteen other diseases, but they used all their strength to make a place for themselves to settle in and rest upon until they could regain more energy. By using their energy to create a living space they created a warm environment that would work with the village and later become profitable to the villager’s after the women left.

Theme number five; Continuity and Change, was the theme of the whole book.  It state’s “All species tend to maintain themselves from generation to generation using the same genetic code” which explains the whole book. This book is about the United States and other countries coming in trying to change the Congo into something it could never be. Africa works together differently than other countries do, and the more outside “help” they get the harder it is to survive because they are constantly changing. Other countries keep stepping in and changing the leader, who changes the roads, which changes the food profit, which changes the money value, which changes the food amount per household, etc. Africa has maintained themselves from generation to generation using the same genetic code which is frankly to “love thy neighbor”. It might not have been as politically correct as America liked to think in the 60’s but in Africa they grew what ever food they could and shared it between the villagers, everyone did their share because if they didn’t they wouldn’t get a share of the food.

Aundrea Wells

The Poisonwood Bible; Barbara Kingsolver