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  Prenatal Diagnosis

Posted by Timothy Best in Science and Society · Best · E Band on

The science behind prenatal diagnosis

Prenatal diagnosis is the screening or testing for genetic diseases or other conditions before a child is born. Although there are many different techniques and tests, I will focus on a few:

  • Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD): During an IVF cycle, cells from the developing embryo can be genetically analyzed for chromosomal abnormalities - usually trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome), trisomy 13 and trisomy 18. The parents can then determine which embryos, if any, to transfer into the uterus. It is also possible to determine the sex of the embryo.
  • Ultrasound: An ultrasound uses sound waves to “look” at a fetus as it develops in the uterus. Since sound waves reflect off of tissues differently depending on the density of the tissue, the sonographer can create images of the fetus’ external and internal anatomy. Ultrasound can be used to measure an embryo or fetus in order to predict the due date, detect twins, diagnose heart and other growth defects, measure heart rate, look for signs associated with Down Syndrome, and determine the sex of the fetus.
  • Chorionic villus sampling: The chorionic villi are a part of the placenta that arises directly from the embryo (as opposed to the mother). They are, therefore, genetically identical to the developing embryo. Chorionic villi can be removed from the placenta and genetically analyzed to detect Down Syndrome and other genetic disorders. CVS has a slight risk (.5-1%) of miscarriage, and can also lead to amniotic fluid leakage and/or infection.
  • Amniocentesis: A fetus develops in the amniotic sac, which is full of amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid contains fetal cells that have naturally sloughed off. The doctor, using an ultrasound image as a guide, inserts a needle through the mother’s skin, abdominal wall, uterine wall, and into the amniotic sac, away from the fetus. Amniotic fluid is then collected, and the fetal cells contained in the fluid can be analyzed for genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome. Amniocentesis has similar risks as CVS, although CVS can be done earlier.
  • Maternal Blood Testing: A relatively recently developed technique can detect fetal DNA in the mother’s blood stream. Thus, with a simple blood draw, the fetus’ sex can be determined, and it can be screened for a variety of genetic disorders.

Societal Impacts

While the above techniques may sound like wonderful advances in medicine, they also have their downsides. First, there’s a difference between screening and testing. A prenatal genetic screen - like maternal blood testing - only gives the level of risk of a condition, but it can not with 100% certainty diagnose a condition. Prenatal genetic tests - like amniocentesis and CVS - are more diagnostic, but also have higher risks for the pregnancy. And if a non-invasive screen detects a high risk for Down Syndrome, for example, the parents are then faced with the decision of whether or not to do a more invasive, high risk test in order to more accurately determine whether Down Syndrome is present. If the results of a CVS or amniocentesis indicate a genetic disorder, then the couple could be faced with the decision to terminate the pregnancy. At the very least, these weeks of testing and waiting for results can be draining and extremely stressful. Pregnancy can already be a stressful time, and these prenatal screens and test can add to that anxiety.

On the other hand, some parents feel that they’d like to know the risks, regardless of the outcome of a test. If a screening test comes back positive for a genetic disorder, then the parents at least won’t be surprised at the birth. They’ll have time to prepare, educate themselves, and possibly arrange for special care that might be needed for their newborn.

Some people opt out of the screens and tests altogether. They might argue that what’s meant to be is meant to be, and they’d rather spare themselves the stress and anxiety surrounding these tests and their results.

And finally, with PGD it is possible to choose the sex of your child. This is illegal in some countries, including Canada - but not the US. Given that IVF and PGD could cost $15000-$20000, the opportunity to screen embryos for genetic conditions and possibly select the sex would not be affordable for everyone. Is this fair? Should people be allowed to choose the sex of their children?

Personal opinions

As someone who loves science, I’m fascinated by these medical advances, and support further research into tests and screens like these. It’s exciting when new, improved tests come out that can help people get answers to their pregnancy concerns, and hopefully allay some of their fears. However, it’s easy for me to support these tests in a general, abstract way. It becomes more complicated when we’re talking about real pregnancies in my personal life. I’ve gone through some of these discussions and decisions, and sometimes there is no easy answer. I can see why people would be in the “no testing” camp - the screenings and testing definitely can raise anxiety and stress levels during pregnancy, which can already be pretty stressful. Still, I’m glad the tests are available, and I think they should continue to be offered to pregnant women. Key to this though, is that they need to be able to make informed decisions. Through discussions with their doctor and a knowledgeable genetic counselor, the parents-to-be can weigh the pros and cons for themselves, and then decide how they want to handle the conundrum of prenatal genetic diagnosis.

References: Nierneberg, C. (2014). Prenatal Genetic Screening Tests: Benefits & Risks. Retrieved February 24, 2016, from http://www.livescience.com/45949-prenatal-genetic-testing.html

Sidhu, J. (n.d.). Women Are Paying Huge Sums To Have a Daughter Rather Than a Son. Retrieved February 24, 2016, from http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2012/09/sex_selection_in_babies_through_pgd_americans_are_paying_to_have_daughters_rather_than_sons_.html

I wish I hadn’t known: The ups and downs of prenatal testing. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2016, from http://www.pregnancyandbaby.com/pregnancy/articles/944203/i-wish-i-hadnt-known-the-ups-and-downs-of-prenatal-testing

Daddy Duties; The Birth Of Seahorses

Posted by Ashlye Fitzmaurice in Science and Society · Best · E Band on

​Science- Seahorses are one of a kind. Like all species, before starting a family, they have to chose their partner. Once doing so, a female and male will part take in a dancing ritual which they must swim in-sync. A female, with a rough and pointed abdominal area meets with the male, smooth and round area (recalled to as a pouch). When it is time to mate, the female will deliver/hand off the eggs to the male's pouch, which he will carry for 45 days. At this stage, a female is capable to have 1,500 or more eggs. Once the eggs are handed off to the male, the female leaves to produce more eggs with another male, yet still comes back to check up on the male daily. While the father is carrying the eggs, his body begins to change. Similar to a human's body, his stomach will expand due to the production of embryos. Just when it is time, the male's body will release (sort of pop) the young seahorses right out of their pouch. In that process, like a woman whose water breaks, a seahorse's 3,000 genes are broken down. Soon after birth, the youngs are left alone to care for themselves. 

Society- This is a unique style of birth, that many are not aware of. We are so consumed of this idea that females are the one who carries a child. Clearly, the birth of seahorses show wrong. We are similar to many other species that many would not believe to be true and it is fascinating that a male is capable to carry their child/children. 

Self- Some time in my life, I've always had this idea that some kind of male creature was able to give birth to their child. I had not really looked into it because in reality or from what many and I have been exposed to, a woman is typically the one to carry a child. So I thought what better way to look into this theory and find out on my own. This was fascinating and it really answered my thoughts. 

Sources- 
Seahorse Reproduction. (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2016, from http://www.seahorseworlds.com/seahorse-reproduction/

Camilla Whittington Postdoctoral Researcher in Comparative Genomics, University of Sydney. (2015). The secret sex life and pregnancy of a seahorse dad. Retrieved December 01, 2016, from http://theconversation.com/the-secret-sex-life-and-pregnancy-of-a-seahorse-dad-46599

Why Do Male Seahorses Give Birth? (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2016, from http://animals.mom.me/male-seahorses-give-birth-4198.html

Celiac Disease

Posted by Liliana Guercio in Science and Society · Best · E Band on

Science: Celiac disease is a serious genetic autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It’s an autoimmune disease where people can not digest wheat, oats, rye, and barley. When a person with celiac eats gluten they may get: Anemia, usually resulting from iron deficiency,Loss of bone density (osteoporosis) or softening of bone (osteomalacia), Itchy, blistery skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis), damage to dental enamel, mouth ulcers,Headaches and fatigue, nervous system injury, including numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, possible problems with balance, and cognitive impairment, Joint pain, Reduced functioning of the spleen (hyposplenism), Acid reflux and heartburn, Stomach aches, or sometimes have none of these.


Society: It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. Two and one-half million Americans are undiagnosed and are at risk for long-term health complications. So many people have it and don’t even know it. The people who have it and don’t know it cause they don’t get symptoms health gets affected in the long run and great chances or having death threatening diseases.


Self: When I was younger years old I would always get stomach pains and no one knew why. I had them worse when I was 9 so they took me to the hospital and could not figure out what was wrong so they sent me to a G.I doctor and ran a bunch of test and it turned out I had celiac. It sucked at first to get use to since it was uncommon and not many knew about it. Once I got use to it, it became easier as I got older and turned out to be not so bad. Also as I got older more restaurants and places are coming out with more gluten free options. I think it's cool how people with celiac disease has a better chance of living longer in terms of health then an average person.



Sources:

Beyond Celiac. "Celiac Disease Research News." Beyond Celiac Research. Beyond Celiac, 2016. Web. 30 Nov. 2016. <http://www.beyondceliac.org/research-news/>.  

Mayo Clinic Staff Print, Mayo Clinic. "Celiac Disease." Overview - Celiac Disease - Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 17 Aug. 2016. Web. 30 Nov. 2016. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/home/ovc-20214625>.

Dharmesh H. Kaswala, Gopal Veeraraghavan, Ciaran P. Kelly and Daniel A. Leffler *. "Celiac Disease: Diagnostic Standards and Dilemmas." MDPI. The Celiac Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA, 16 June 2015. Web. 30 Nov. 2016. <http://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/3/2/86/htm>.


Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

Posted by Chhievling Seng in Science and Society · Best · E Band on

Science

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is an actual disease of its own. Many people in the general public, even doctors and professionals have a hard time determining if the patient does have Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, also known as the Todd’s Syndrome. Dr. John Todd, a British psychiatrist, was first to acknowledge AIWS in 1955. This syndrome have many triggers, such as migraines, stress, brain tumors, Epstein-Barr Virus infection, drug (cough medicine), etc. Dr. Sheena Aurora, Stanford Neurologist had performed an MRI brain scan (in 2008) on a 13 year old boy during the active cause of AIWS, and found Electrical activity caused abnormal blood flow in areas of brain that controls process texture, shape, and size and that rain activity of patients diagnosed with AIWS are different from those who are not. My sources are reliable, because I went to sources that are known to be trustworthy, and researches done by universities such as Stanford are considered one. All of the sources I had used to better understand this topic, were very similar in the causes and the symptoms


Society

People who are affected by this syndrome, have a hard time describing what they are going through, or keep grounded and feel sane, because with AIWS, it causes Object or environment to appear too big  (macropsia) or too small (micropsia) than they actually are. Things around the person are perceived to be farther or closer than they actually are or at times themselves or other people’s entire body or body part changed in shape and size. Which can play in their mind or whatever it is they are seeing, as to what is reality and what is the thing that only they can see. It affects people lives in a very negative way, knowing that there is no treatment or much research done on this disorder.


Self

I think it is a very interesting disorder that is actually very similar to the experience of a made up cartoon character’s adventure. Alice had experienced the same thing in wonderland, as if she was going delusional. So it is intesting yet scary to see how that applies in our real world, how someone can cope with AIWS, because it distort memory and experience from reality and what the person can only see. I think this disorder deserve more attention towards than what’s it's given now, because there are people who are affected by this, even though this is a rare syndrome, but it’s not so rare where not many to no people diagnosed with it, when there are quite a lot of people affected by this, but compared to the bigger population, it’s considered rare. I don’t think this can be a positive thing at all, nor is it fun and games, even though it’s interesting, it is something very scary and can be very serious depending on the place and situation the person who is diagnosed with this is in.


https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1bYNwIgiiZlY5fO22t4BwGVQzIL1_CPHFh4YZrHmg-Ns/edit

Roller Coasters and Kidney Stones

Posted by Cacy Thomas in Science and Society · Best · E Band on

​Science

According to a research published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, if you have a kidney stone, riding a roller coaster can help dislodge it. Originally, not much thought had been put into this relationship until researchers at Michigan State University noticed a pattern. The majority of their kidney stone patients were riding roller coasters, and passing their stones soon after. This became particularly prevalent when one patient with 3 stones went on 3 different roller coasters, and after each ride the patient had passed a stone.

Researchers David Wartinger and Marc Mitchell conducted an experiment to test the theory that roller coasters can dislodge kidney stones, as this information was too much to ignore. Because neither of them actually had kidney stones, they were able to 3D print a life size replica of a kidney, and place 3 stones as well as human urine inside of it. Then they put the replica in a backpack at kidney height on a human, and brought it on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It was here they found that after one ride, 17% of stones were passed in the front of the coaster, compared to 64% being passed in the back. Wartinger contributes these results to the vibration of roller coasters saying,

“This is just a very mechanical phenomenon. Basically, a kidney stone is a rock. And it is lodged in the physical passageways inside the kidney. It's simply about finding the right amount of shaking and rattling to get it through."


Society

Unfortunately, this technique can only impact people with smaller kidney stones. Larger kidney stones that are bigger than 4 millimeters in size, are pretty painful to pass on their own and usually require surgery to remove. However, this approach mainly affects society in a positive manner as it is a way for some people to prevent kidney stones from getting larger and causing greater health problems. Some health professionals such as Dr. Elizabeth Kavaler, a urology specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, see the theoretical appeal, but not the idea of this being a realistic treatment. David Wartinger and Marc Mitchell on the other hand are comfortable enough to recommend “roller coaster therapy” to their patients.


Self

My thoughts on this issue are very much like Wartinger and Mitchell’s. I love roller coasters and would happily go on one if I had a kidney stone I needed to pass, but I don’t think this should happen unless I consulted with my urologist first. It is so important to always ask a doctor if a treatment method is a possibility before trying it, as there could be some serious side effects that come with it. For example, if people with stones larger than 4 millimeters go on a roller coaster, they could end up with severe pain and kidney irritability from moving them around. So my suggestion on this issue is for people to consult with a doctor and see what removal method is right for them. If a roller coaster ride is one of them, by all means go have fun and pass a kidney stone. One might even say, kill two birds with one stone.


Sources

Willingham, A. (2016, September 28). Little kidney stone? Ride a roller coaster, says study. Retrieved November 01, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/28/health/kidney-stone-roller-coaster-study-trnd/index.html


Biel, L. (2016, October 31). Riding roller coasters might help dislodge kidney stones. Retrieved November 01, 2016, from https://www.sciencenews.org/article/riding-roller-coasters-might-help-dislodge-kidney-stones?tgt=nr


Yin, S. (2016, October 03). A Roller Coaster Remedy for Kidney Stones? Retrieved November 01, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/04/science/roller-coaster-kidney-stones.html


Freezing Eggs:

Posted by Yasmeen Collins in Science and Society · Best · E Band on

Science: Typically the sperm and embryos are easy to freeze however the egg is the largest cell in the human body. Freezing eggs is the process in which a woman's eggs are removed, frozen, and stored until ready for use later in life. All women undergoing this process have to have an hormonal injection first (IVF) or in vitro fertilization. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for an egg to completely freeze. Eggs can be frozen for years and still be valuable. 

Society: This has an impact on society because some women want to freeze their eggs at a young age since they tend to age. Other women could've been diagnosed with cancer or other health issues and want a surrogate. Some women feel freezing eggs is a good thing while other women prefer a natural birth. 

Self: Personally, I think this is a very interesting thing and a great alternative for women. Like all things it comes with it's advantages and disadvantages, but I think it's something more women should look into. After doing some research I found that women have been 65% successful with having children after freezing their eggs. 

References: 

1.) Egg Freezing FAG's. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://uscefertility.org/egg-freezing-faqs/ 

2.) Egg Freezing Raises Fundamental Issues of Ethics and ... (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/10/15/freezing-plans-for-motherhood-and-staying-on-the-job/egg-freezing-raises-fundamental-issues-of-ethics-and-fairness 

3.) Harrington, R. (2015). Elective Human Egg Freezing on the Rise. Retrieved October 31, 2016, from https://www.scientficamerican.com/article/elective-human-egg-freezing-on-the-rise/ 



Your Eye Color

Posted by Sianneh Vesslee in Science and Society · Best · E Band on

  • Science: What is the science behind this topic? How do you explain the science to the general public? How reliable are your sources? Can you verify this science with other sources?


  • Eye color is determined by the variations in the human’s eyes.The genes associated with eye color are determined by the production, transport, and storage of a pigment called melanin. My source is extremely reliable because it is a site with a .gov, meaning it was created by the government. Yes, it can be verified with other sources.  


  • Society: How does this impact society? Are certain people more impacted than others? Does it affect society in a negative or positive manner? What are some of the different viewpoints on this topic? How might this develop in the future?


  • This directly impacts society in how you view the person and how the person looks when brought into the world. You also see a pattern in who normally has a certain color eye, and when there’s someone who doesn’t have that same color, people notice that.


  • Self: What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you identify with a certain viewpoint? How does your culture or upbringing influence your thoughts on this topic? What suggestions do you have on this issue?


  • I think it’s very interesting that most black people have brown eyes because of their genes that were passed down. I don’t really identify with any viewpoint, since eye color is eye color. I suggest that we look at things more important than eye color, because eye color doesn’t affect anyone’s lifestyle in a meaningful way.

References: 

Is eye color determined by genetics? - Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2016, from https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/traits/eyecolor

SiOWfa15: Science in Our World: Certainty and Controversy. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2016, from https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa15/2015/09/18/how-do-genes-determine-eye-color/

Laser procedure can turn brown eyes blue. (n.d.). Retrieved October 27, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/04/tech/mci-brown-eyes-blue/index.html

EQ Radio

Posted by Rifah Islam in Science and Society · Best · E Band on

Science: What if I could make an educated guess on how you’re feeling? Sounds easy right? Just look at stuff like your expression and body language and just call an emotion? However, sometimes it is much harder than that. Researches at MIT have created a new system called an EQ radio. This device can predict people’s emotions with an 87% accuracy rate. The EQ radio is smaller than a wifi router. Imagine that! It monitors a person’s breathing and heartbeat wirelessly. This can all happen thanks to the low frequency radio waves that the radio emits. Then, waves are captured, separated and then these measurements are inserted into an algorithm and the person’s emotions are classified as excited, happy, angry or sad.

Society: The EQ radio is innovative because there is no need for the person being monitored to talk or emote for it to figure out how they are feeling. This can be useful in many ways. One potential use of the device is to recognize depression even before the person does. This can be extremely impactful in the process of getting help for the person’s emotional needs. Another potential use is applying them into “smart” homes, where the music played on the speakers are fine tuned to how the person is feeling. It can also help give live feedback to filmmakers while the audience watches their work. These are a few of the ways the device can be applied into the real world.

Self: I think that this device is truly amazing. Emotions are much deeper than just what we show. Sometimes we hide how we feel, sometimes we wish we could get help about how we felt and sometimes we don’t even know how we feel. A device like the EQ radio can really help people with their emotions. Whether that’s figuring out what it is or getting to an emotional problem before the person realizes it themselves. I hope to try out this one day myself!

Citations

Murnane, K. (2016, September 20). Scientists Can Use WiFi To Read Your Emotions. Retrieved October 13, 2016, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinmurnane/2016/09/20/mits-csail-lab-creates-a-system-that-identifies-peoples-emotions-using-wireless-signals/#1b3366cb668d

Gent, E. (2016, October 4). Device Can Read Emotions By Bouncing Wireless Signals Off Your Body. Retrieved October 13, 2016, from http://www.livescience.com/56373-device-uses-wireless-signals-to-read-emotions.html

Poker face no more: MIT unveils device that reads human emotions (VIDEO, POLL). (2016, September 22). Retrieved October 13, 2016, from https://www.rt.com/viral/360226-emotions-mit-research-science/

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