Cannibalism as Medicine for Incurable Degenerative Brain Diseases

Karren T. Reyes        HSPS-2

Cannibalism as medicine for incurable Degenerative Brain Diseases

        According to WHO (World Health Organization), throughout the last 20 years, there were at least 30 new diseases that have emerged and many of these diseases, still have no available treatment, cure or vaccine. With over 50,000 men and women dying every day because of these diseases, we, people are desperate to discover and find the cure for these incurable illnesses. Due to our desperation, we consider countless of options, with some of it uncommon and very eerie to hear. Degenerative brain diseases generally have no cure and in fact get worse over time. But scientists have discovered that a tribe, known for its cannibalistic tendencies, has developed a resistance to certain degenerative neurological diseases. The findings could have implications for treating or even preventing brain disorders such as Alzheimer's, Dementia, Parkinson's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Mad Cow disease, etc. The University College London researchers studied the Fore people, a Papua New Guinea tribe and used mice as their test subjects. After genetically engineering special mice with a specific variation, they discovered the mice to be completely resistant to Kuru and to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The second group of mice they genetically modified for even stronger protection were found to be resistant to 18 prion strains. They are currently doing a continued research based on their findings, this time to prove and better understand the molecular basis of the genetic effect on prion diseases. It also aims to find the cure for Dementia, with millions of people suffering from it today. This research, if successful, could be proved life-changing for citizens around the globe.

Cockroach as an antibiotic/anti-bacterial agent

We have to admit it, almost everyone in the world is afraid and disgusted with cockroaches. The mere sight of this insect will make nearly everyone be up on their seats. But did you know that this little arthropod which many people hate can be the key to saving lives if properly used? In a research conducted by 5 students at Centro Escolar University in the year 2012, they have proven that the necks of cockroaches contain anti-bacterial substances. In order to test the effectiveness of the antibiotics on the bacteria, they performed an Agar Diffusion Test, also known as the Bauer-Kirby Disk Susceptibility Test. They tested extracts of the cockroach’s neck on a petri dish containing bacteria. At the end, to be proven positive it should have a zone of inhibition where it is an area around the wafer or petri dish where the bacteria have not grown enough to be visible. Apparently, it did have a zone of inhibition which concludes that the antibiotic is indeed susceptible to the extract for it stopped the bacteria from growing and spreading. Such a discovery is crucial, because scientists, doctors, pharmacists, and researchers are currently in a dilemma in battling several infectious diseases caused by drug-resistant bacteria, including MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Enterococcus, that are resistant to traditional antibiotics. It's a promising new lead. What we need in terms of finding new antibiotics is to find those peculiar places because all the usual places have already been exhausted. Now, we are looking in an unusual and somewhat ridiculous place where and no one dares to look at and hopefully, it can be improved and amended.

Human head transplant

        Transplants are done to replace a damaged or a missing organ on a patient. It is a medical procedure in which a part of an individual or an organ is removed from one body and placed in the body of a recipient. Organ transplants are the most common transplants to ever take place. Organs that have been successfully transplanted include the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestine, and thymus. Face transplants are also on the trend but head transplant? I know that this idea or procedure is very ridiculous. This procedure may sound like something out of a horror movie, but one man is hoping it will improve the quality of life. Dr. Sergio ‘Frankenstein’ Canavero, a neurosurgeon of the Turin Advanced Neuromodulation Group in Italy, is planning to perform the first-ever head transplant in December 2017. Valery Spiridonov, a 31-year-old Russian computer scientist who has a degenerative muscle condition called Werdnig-Hoffman, is set to become the first person ever to undergo a human head transplant.  The illness is terminal and is a genetic disorder that causes muscles to waste away and motor neurons to die. Dr. Canavero plans to sever the head of Spiridonov and re-attach it to a new and healthy body. He claims that the proposed 36-hour operation involving over 150 doctors and nurses has a “90 percent plus" chance of success rate. However, in a turn of events, about five days ago, it was confirmed that the operation will no longer be performed on Valery Spiridonov. Instead, the operation will be done on an unnamed Chinese patient, according to OOOM which is handling Dr. Canavero's press. The main reason is that the controversial operation will be conducted in China that’s why it’s much easier to get a Chinese donor. Currently, there is no additional information about the said operation and patient. This is the world’s first-ever human head transplant to be ever done, so if ever the outcome is successful it will truly be a game changer in the medical field and improvement in the quality of life.  I know it’s truly absurd and ludicrous just with the thought of it but there is no wrong in trying and being innovative. Whatever that is that may happen, the only thing that we can do is to wait and hope.

Made-to-order babies

About a few years ago, the term in-vitro fertilization is such an uncommon and unfamiliar word. However, now, it has been one of the most used terms, especially to those who are infertile or other genetically disturbed people that have problems with the conception of a child. It truly is a great invention but can there be any better? Yes! There is. In fact, fertility doctor, Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg of Fertility Institutes is now offering parents to build their own baby’s characteristics. Imagine if you could choose your baby the same way you pick out a new outfit from a catalogue. Perhaps some blue eyes, a bit of curly hair, and why not make her tall, lean and smart? A baby made exactly from its coined term ‘made-to-order’ or ‘designer babies’. This highly controversial genetic modification process has both good and side effects that inevitably sparked debate among scientists, doctors, and citizens all over the world. Pros are it can prevent genetic diseases such as Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, etc., it can also increase overall life expectancy of the baby, and it will have an overall positive influence on the baby. Cons are it contravenes ethical and moral aspects; this applies when the parents choose only those cells that will be the ‘good’ ones and remove those that will be the ‘bad’ ones, it is a violation of the/your baby’s rights, and most importantly it is not an error-free process or it is still in the nascent stage meaning it is not yet a hundred percent safe procedure because it is still in its experimental phase and needs more time to progress. Either way, if ever this will be developed and be later on favored by many, it will signify the new wave of the future.