Should Marijuana Be Legalized - 2147 Words

All Drugs Should be Legalized in the US Over the past twenty years we have made a tremendous amount of changes in terms of what should be considered legal and illegal substances. For example, we can focus in on one specific drug that has become popular in controversial debates recently, marijuana. Until this point, marijuana was considered illegal. Recently, a handful of states have made the decision to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. To date there has been 23 states that have legalized the use of marijuana in some form. In November of 2012 Colorado and Washington states legalized the use of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. In a survey conducted in 2013, a Gallup pole showed that†¦show more content†¦They all also contribute to death in their own way. While these drugs contribute to death, whether it be directly such as overdose, or from an accident resulting from the side effect of the drug, many other aspects o f our lives can result in death, but we don’t argue to make them illegal. As of 2014 there was an estimated 1,195 deaths due to automobile accidents. Although people have died in automobile accidents, the thought of making driving illegal sounds absurd to most people. Aside from driving, there are annual fatality rates for skydiving, roller-coaster/carnival rides, and snowboarding; If all of these things cause death but are still legal, drug use can also be legal with minor restrictions. The war on drugs For forty-five years the United States has been battling the prohibition of drugs, but despite intense law enforcement attempts and millions of dollars spent, the â€Å"War on Drugs† continues to be fought today. On June 17, 1971 Nixon named drug abuse as â€Å"public enemy number one† and declared this long lasting war. On October 27, 1986, Reagan provided $241 million for drug treatment. Despite the large amount of money toward treatment, Reagan contradicted his efforts when he allowed for $97 million to be used toward building new prisons, and when he created mandatory minimum penalties for drug offenses that included at least 10 years

Essay on Xenotransplantation - 758 Words

Xenotransplantation The progress thats being made in the field of Xenotransplantation; the transplantation of an animal organ into a human host, is vital to the betterment of science and medicine and should not be hindered by the ignorant trepidation of a few individuals. The number of patients requiring organ transplants has exceeded the number of available human donors. For this reason science is looking to xenotransplantation as a solution which may yield access to a plethora of available organs. People are naturally afraid of what they dont know or understand and suspicious of anything thats unfamiliar or strange, such as xenotransplantation. Nevertheless xenotransplantation has been around for a long time and is not such a†¦show more content†¦Even more impressive still, is Dr. Reemtsmas transplanted kidneys which survived nine months. It is effortless to see the rapid progression of success with these first three operations. The first kidney survived four days, the second survived sixty days; and the third survived nine months. If it is possible for a baboon kidney to live in a human for nine months, then it is feasible that a kidney could survive for a year or five years and some day tens of years. Surgeons, like everybody else, learn from their mistakes and build on their past experiences in order to advance their knowledge in their field. As the saying goes, you have to learn to walk before you can run. Just like the first time the Wright Brothers tested their plane it only flew a couple of feet. Did they say, It only flew a couple of feet; lets give up? No. They tried it again and it flew a little farther and crashed. Still, did they say, lets give up? No, they realized they had to learn to fly a short distance before they could learn to fly a long distances. Just like Dr. Hitchcock, Starzl, and Reemtsma didnt say, Whats the point of transplanting a kidney if the patient is going to die after a few days or weeks they too realized that you had to first learn the basics and perfect their procedure before the kidneys could survive for years. Xentransplants are no longer a question of possibility but a question of ethics. In Tom Regans article the OtherShow MoreRelated The Benefits of Xenotransplantation Essay1535 Words   |  7 PagesThe Benefits of Xenotransplantation New technology has opened many doors of opportunity for advancements in medical science. Not even in our wildest dreams would we have imagined a world where animal organs could be safely transplanted into humans. A few years ago, this process called xenotransplantation, was completed for the very first time. The only dilemma critics had with the process involved the chances of infection and organ rejection from the patient. Through experimentation and advancesRead MoreEssay on Xenotransplantation2040 Words   |  9 PagesXenotransplantation Introduction According to Websters Dictionary, a doctor is one skilled or specializing in healing arts. However, what is entailed in these healing arts has expanded time and time again over the course of history. At one point in time, to be a doctor was as simple as administering the right dose of a certain elixir, and then as time went on advances were made in the areas of antibiotics and other medicines, as well as in surgical arenas. Now we have come to a new ageRead MoreEssay on Xenotransplantation3333 Words   |  14 PagesXenotransplantation Physicians today are faced with a growing list of patients awaiting transplants for organs that have failed, but there are not enough donors to meet these needs. Countries all over the world have a â€Å"human organ shortage† and the waiting lists for organ transplants only seem to grow longer (Melo 427). In the United States 62,000 patients needed a kidney, liver, or pancreatic transplant in the year 2001. Xenotransplantation, which refers to the transplantation of organs,Read MoreA Very Brief Look at Xenotransplantation 964 Words   |  4 PagesXenotransplantation originate from Greek â€Å"xenos-† meaning â€Å"foreign†. It is the transplant or use of live nonhuman animal cells, tissues and organs in humans or between different species. A similar approach is called allotransplantation which is the same procedure, just within the same species. These cells and organs can be implanted or enclosed in a device that is used outside the body (ex vivo perfusion). X enotransplantation can help human beings suffering from organ failure to save lives. EveryRead MoreShould Xenotransplantation Be Allowed? Essay1366 Words   |  6 PagesTopic: Xenotransplantation (Animal to Human Transplants) Research Question: Should Xenotransplantation be allowed? (Animal parts transferred into Humans) Introduction: Scientists have developed a way for a pig heart to be transplanted into a baboon, which has been living for more than a year. This breakthrough means that sometime soon, we may be able to use pig hearts for human bodies, when we don’t have any human parts to spare. For this investigation, I am going to find out how XenotransplantationRead More The Ethics of Xenotransplantation Essay examples1615 Words   |  7 PagesThe Ethics of Xenotransplantation 1. Introduction to Xenotransplantation Xenotransplantation is the process of taking cells, parts of organs, or even whole organs from one species of animal, and implanting them into another species. The FDA has given their own definition of xenotransplantation which they say is â€Å"any procedure that involves the transplantation, implantation, or infusion into a human recipient of either live cells, tissues, or organs from a non human animal source, or humanRead More Progress in Xenotransplantation Essay1595 Words   |  7 PagesProgress in Xenotransplantation Introduction In the last few years, progress has been made toward successfully using animal organs in humans who need transplants, an operation called xenotransplantation. The biggest obstacle has been preventing the body from destroying the transplant as a foreign body. The speed of rejection depends on the species and tissue involved. In transplants between discordant species, such as pig to human, the recipient has natural antibodies against the donorRead MoreThe Pros and Cons of Xenotransplantation: Organ Donations1073 Words   |  5 PagesXenotransplantation The topic I would like to talk about today is called xenotransplantation. If you haven’t ever heard about xenotransplantation that’s okay, a lot of people haven’t. As you know many of the people who need organ donations need them because of new and old health issues. The worldwide demand for organs far surpasses the supply. A study done by the United Network for Organ Sharing in 2004 found that over one hundred thousand patients could have benefited from an organ transplantRead MoreThe Ethical Issue Of Xenotransplantation And The Catholic Churches Essay1765 Words   |  8 PagesI will be discussing the ethical issue of Xenotransplantation and the Catholic Churches response to it. Xenotransplantation is a procedure involving the transplantation of live cells, organs and tissues from nonhumans into humans. It provides an alternative way to treat serious and fatal diseases such as Alzheimer s, diabetes and Parkinson s disease. It also poses as a solution for the ongoing problem of organ shortage. Generally, Xenotransplantation is a reoccurring ethical issue as this specificRead MoreEssay on Is Xenotransplantation an Ethical Solution or Disaster?1935 Words   |  8 Pages Is Xenotransplantation an ethical solution or disaster? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The audience for this paper is comprised of those readers looking to gain knowledge on the issue of xenotransplantation. This group of people is unaware of the dynamics of the ethical arguments surrounding this current issue. This audience does not have a specific age or belief, reflecting the varied positions of the argument. Due to this hunger for factual information

The Use of Lasers in Esophageal Cancer Treatment Free Essays

Esophageal cancer is a rare form of cancer, but its numbers are on the rise around the world (Staff, Mayo Clinic 1). This disease occurs when malignant or cancerous cells form in the tissues of the esophageal lining of the body’s gastrointestinal tract. The esophagus is responsible for moving swallowed food and liquids from the mouth into the stomach for digestion. We will write a custom essay sample on The Use of Lasers in Esophageal Cancer Treatment or any similar topic only for you Order Now It consists of several tissue layers, including the mucous membrane, muscle, and connective tissues. When cancer forms in the esophagus, it begins in the innermost layer of the tissue (the mucous membrane) and moves outward (towards the connective tissue layer) as it spreads (see Figure 1). It often goes undetected for many years, and in its later stages, this cancer is not easily treatable. Among those who develop esophageal cancer, their long-term survival rate is low, as it is estimated that only 12. 5% of patients live five years beyond the date of diagnosis (Triesschejin, Martijn 5). The standard treatment option used to combat esophageal cancer is called an esophagectomy, in which the cancerous area of the esophagus is removed via surgery, however this procedure is very invasive, complicated, and is often times fatal. However, with today’s technological advancements, safer, less-invasive methods are beginning to replace this option and are proving to be successful in helping to extend the lives of those patients with severe esophageal cancer and aid in improving their quality of life. One up-and-coming treatment option that is far more safe and practical than esophagectomy is the integration of lasers in photodynamic therapy, or PDT. Although it is still an experimental treatment, is ideal because it has no long-term side effects, is minimally invasive, can be done quickly with little recovery time, has the ability to precisely target the areas of the body where the cancer cells are present, and can be safely repeated multiple times until the desired results are achieved. Post-treatment, it has been known to cause sensitivity to light, particularly pertaining to the patient’s eyes and skin, however this has not been shown to be a significant issue among those treated with PDT. Photodynamic therapy uses special drugs, known as photosensitizing agents, along with laser light to kill cancer cells closer to the surface of the skin. The agents are injected into the body via and ‘switched on’ with light of the appropriate wavelength depending on the drug utilized. Chemical and molecular reactions within the ody from the drugs then destroy the cancer cells and work to rid the body of the esophageal disease. Although several sources of light are possibilities when performing photodynamic therapy, lasers are the most preferred. They are the most effective in emitting monochromatic light, or light that is of a single wavelength and color, corresponding to all of the different absorption maxima of photosensitizers’ compounds, and can b e relatively easily coupled to optical fibers from 200 to 600 microns’ core sizes. Specifically, the type of laser that is optimal for the treatment of esophageal cancer is a diode laser. These lasers are the most recent to be used in cancer treatment, and were developed just within the last fifteen years. Thus, they have higher quality beams, expanded ranges of wavelengths, and can be used on higher powers if desired. Diode lasers are ideal because they are simple to use, easy to transport, and do not require difficult installation like the gas (argon) and dye lasers used before them (Boucher 74). The diode laser currently approved by the FDA is manufactured by Angiodynamics, and has been successfully used, along with the correct application of photosensitizers, in esophageal cancer treatments. â€Å"A good photosensitizer is preferably a pure compound with a constant composition† (Nyman 3). And in esophageal cancer treatment via PDT, the best-proven photosensitizer is called porfimer sodium, also commercially known as Photofrin ®. In fact, the United States’ Food and Drug Administration has only approved the use of this photosensitizer in the treatment of esophageal cancer via PDT (â€Å"Photodynamic Therapy† 2). Porfimer sodium is injected intravenously, where it is then absorbed by all of the body’s cells, but only those cells that are normal and not cancerous are able to get rid of it. To allow for the body’s normal cells to rid themselves of the drug, two to three days are given between the drug’s administration and the activation of the drug by laser light. After being passed down the throat through a small flexible tube called an endoscope, a thin fiber optic glass strand is used to direct the laser light at the affected area. The optical fiber is made of fused silica, and uses a balloon catheter to distribute a defined, controlled amount of light to the treated esophagus organ. If the beam were not diffuse, a direct beam (even at a low power) could be damaging to the esophageal tissue. The light is operated at weaker power of around 2 Watts to ensure that it does not burn any tissue, and it is relatively pain-free. The treatment it is applied for no longer than an hour at a time and can often be done in an outpatient setting (reference all sources listed). Normally, the most common wavelength used is red light, as its specific wavelength of 630 nanometers has been shown to work best when attempting to create the most effective and potent malignant cancer cell-killing method possible. Atomically speaking, following its activation by laser light, â€Å"†¦the photosensitizer is elevated from a ground state to a long lasting excited triplet state†¦. and it] can then react with cell membranes to form radical ions [intermediates] which interact further with oxygen to produce cytotoxic oxygenated molecules† (Gray 1). More simply put, the excited photosensitizer activated by the laser light transfers its energy to other molecules before returning to its ground state, which generates a reactive oxygen species (intermediate) that is able to directly kill and destroy the esophageal tumor via oxidation, and later, indirectly, via inflammation. Research has shown a huge increase in the survival rate of PDT patients receiving this treatment. Treated patients’ survival rates improved 25% over a span of five years compared to those who never received any type of treatment (Li 2). And although doctors have seen great success with the use of photodynamic therapy and diode laser treatments, there is still much more to be researched and improved upon. Currently, new drugs, such as Photochlor ®, and others are being clinically tested to see if they can be used as photosensitizers in the treatment of esophageal cancer. This photosensitizer looks promising, as it has already been shown to last a much shorter time and is more easily removed from the body than Photofrin ® is. Also, scientists are looking at the possibility of using ointments containing ferrous or colbalt ions and hydrogen peroxide on the treated cancerous area to improve PDT outcomes along with laser light. And with the further advancement of technology, hopefully newer treatments will be able to not only improve the outcomes of patients with severe esophageal cancer, but be able to cure them of it once and for all. How to cite The Use of Lasers in Esophageal Cancer Treatment, Essay examples

Second hand smoking free essay sample

TobaccoI stumbled out of the building, coughing and wheezing, smoke filling my eyes and lungs. I tugged frantically at my tie to loosen my collar, my head pounding as I ran out the door. fresh†¦. air†¦. gotta†¦. have†¦. fresh†¦.. air†¦ Was it a fire? Terrorist attack? No, I was simply eating my dinner when a gentleman at the table next to us decided to light up a cigarette. The smoke went right in my face and lungs. All of a sudden I couldnt breathe, my chest hurt and I panicked. Ladies and gentlemen, by the end of this year more people will die from second hand smoke related deaths than the average crowd at a Major League Baseball game. Secondhand, or passive smoke, is an insidious killer that is harming adults, and more critically, children around the country every day. My goal in speaking to you today is to enlist your support in a federal ban of all smoking from all public places without hesitation. We will write a custom essay sample on Second hand smoking or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page But isnt this America? Should you have the right to smoke? If I want to pollute my lungs and ruin my health why should that be any concern of yours? The facts are that secondhand smoke is responsible for many of the same diseases as if you were sucking on the cigarette yourself. These diseases include cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases. For example, the International Agency on Research on Cancer found that â€Å"involuntary smoking is carcinogenic to humans. Various studies in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom point to a significant increase in risk of lung cancer among those exposed to passive smoke. (adsbygoogle = window. adsbygoogle || []). push({}); The California Environmental Protection Agency found that passive smoking increases the risk of breast cancer in young women by 70%. In a separate paper, the US Surgeon General found that there was evidence that suggested that there was a causal relationship between smoking and breast cancer. Secondhand smoke is even associated with the loss of hearing in non-smoking adults. What? What did you say Studies have shown that both active and passive cigarette smoking increases the risk of their atherosclerosis. Also, exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in adults 50 and over. Children Putting children at risk is unforgivable at best and probably criminal. In a 2006 report, the US Surgeon General found that the evidence is sufficient to infer a relationship between secondhand smoke and sudden infant death syndrome. Brain tumorsthe risk to develop brain tumors is higher among children exposed to passive smoking, even if the mother does not smoke. The California Environmental Protection Agency found that the risk of childhood cancer (and adult lung cancer) increases after childhood exposure to passive smoking. Sadly we could go on, and on, and on. And on! Secondhand smoke in the home is one problem. But to go to a public restaurant, or concert, or any event and to experience secondhand smoke is not only rude, its impacting the health of our population, increasing healthcare costs and should be banned by federal mandate in the next session. While you have the option to smoke, I dont have the option of not breathing. Nor do our children. End of Persuasive Speech Example Were you persuaded? In this persuasive speech example you get some facts and statistics which are usually found in informative speeches yet if spoken in a slightly exaggerated way with hand gestures, these statistics can be quite persuasive. (adsbygoogle = window. adsbygoogle || []). push({}); (adsbygoogle = window. adsbygoogle || []). push({}); See more at: http://www. best-speech-topics. com/persuasive-speech-example. html#sthash. OjpmILn4. dpuf