05.09.12
Posted in Class Assignments at 12:00 am by mabrantes11
Mandy Abrantes
Holly Pappas
Eng. 101
May 8th, 2012
When I first enrolled in this course it wasn’t with small amount of trepidation. I knew that due to the nature of this course I’d be doing a lot of writing. Formal writing is something that I haven’t done since high school approximately ten years ago. I was also very nervous because grammar isn’t one of my strong points. This class has done a lot for me by way of understanding the need for sentence flow and paragraph placement. These two points are imperative to expressing yourself in a comprehensive manner. Finding ideas has never been a problem for me. It was the compilation of those ideas that often bewildered me. I feel that my work has come a long way from where it stood at the beginning of the semester.
The first assignment I’ve chosen for my portfolio is the personal memoir essay. This work really means a lot to me because it forced me to look within. I’ve never been a great expresser of emotions. Putting my experiences to paper and successfully conveying feelings was difficult but satisfying. In this assignment, I chose to write about the time I nearly lost my sister to sudden illness. The severity of the moment and the poignant emotions the memory invokes in me is still disturbing. Additionally, I feel this paper is also a good indicator of who I was as a person. By showing the reader a glimpse into my past, I open a window in understanding my present. This was one of the moments in my life that has shaped me into the person I am today.
The second essay enclosed is the ethnological profile of pharmacist interaction. This was my first paper in which the subject was an active work of observation. I chose to observe this subculture of the medical field because ultimately pharmacology is my passion. Once the venue of my study was chosen, my pen took flight. I rather enjoyed immersing myself into this world, observing unobtrusively. This assignment was a unique experience and opened my eyes to inter-colleague tensions.
Thirdly, one of our last assignments was a research based argument paper. Each assignment grew more difficult as the semester progressed. With difficulty comes challenge and this is all part of the learning process. One of which I am proud to have taken part. In keeping with my theme of health care and medicine, I chose to research In Vitro Fertilization. In Vitro Fertilization is a marvel of modern science and can be a dream come true for thousands of people. This is also a personal subject for me because I tossed around the idea of IVF for myself. I am a returning student who will be transferring to a four year professional program in another year or so. It is a great fear of mine that I may not be able to have any more children after I complete my professional studies. My daughter is three years old now and I never wanted to have only one child. Taking a stand for a subject I believed in was easy. Challenging myself to argue the opposing side was slightly problematic. However, I ultimately found an angle that I was pleased with.
These assignments forced me to challenge myself and helped me hone skills that weren’t previously evident. The critique and revision process was an essential tool in helping me visualize weak points in my writing that I may not have noticed without it. The writing process from beginning to end comes more naturally to me now than it ever has before.
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05.07.12
Posted in Essays at 12:38 am by mabrantes11
First Baby Born From Egg Matured and Frozen in Lab. (Ben Hirscher) Above: A female oocyte injected with hormones to stimulate growth for egg maturity. The first baby to have been born via lab matured then subsequently frozen was in 2007. This finding gave hope to cancer patients who become sterile after treatments. The procedure also was the first time eggs were lab matured from girls who have yet to reach puberty. Thus protecting the possibility of future children of their own even if they undergo cancer treatments .
In Vitro Lab Equiptment. (Michael Zysman) Many couples who are unable to concieve a child turn to In Vitro fertilization. In Vitro fertilization is the process of retrieving eggs from the mother to fertilize outside of the body. Once fertilization takes place, the embryos are then placed within the uterus of the mother to grow. In the photo a lab technician fertilizes female ovum with sperm in a petri dish.
Sperm in Uterus. (Image Source Photos) During natural conception sperm travels through the uterus to the fallopian tubes in search of eggs to fertilize. At right: Male sperm in female uterus.
LIF and Implantation. (Oxford Journals) After an egg has been fertilized it becomes an embryo and travels back through the fallopian tubes. Once the embryo reaches the uterus it settles in to "attach" itself to the endometrial tissue. This is where the embryo gestates and becomes a fetus. The diagram above shows the process of endometrial implantation of an embryo.
Our First Baby. (Keystone/Getty Images) Louise Joy Brown was the first test tube baby born in July of 1975.
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04.30.12
Posted in Essays at 6:44 am by mabrantes11
Mandy Abrantes
Eng 101 Argument Essay Rough Draft
30, Apr. 12
Is In Vitro Fertilization Worth the Expense?
In Vitro fertilization or I.V.F is the fertilization process of a female ovum (egg) outside of the body. The eggs are collected from the mother to be fertilized, then returned to the uterus to implant in the endometrial tissue (Ehrlich and Schroeder, 427). There are many in depth procedures or surgeries that can be performed to circumvent infertility problems. Some of these procedures are extremely expensive and range in price from five hundred dollars to fifteen hundred dollars. Also, if couples fail to conceive after their first cycle of treatment, the procedure must be repeated at an additional expense. Some will argue that a price tag can not be placed on a persons dreams of parenthood, family and future. However, with so many children without family or homes waiting to be loved, adoption is a more cost effective way to see those same dreams realized. I.V.F procedures are not worth the exorbitant fees and expenditure of medical resources.
Another major concern regarding In Vitro Fertilization is the psychological effect these treatments have on patients who undergo procedures yet remain unable to conceive. The couples involved in the fertility treatments pay the exorbitant fees in hopes of extending their families. Approximately 41% of women under the age of 35 receiving treatments have produced a live birth from said treatment (S.A.R.T.-Women’s and Infants Infertility Clinic, R.I). According to Mass General’s Center for Women’s Psychological Health, women who are undergoing infertility treatments are more likely to experience stress, depression and anxiety. Furthermore, that depression itself alters the bodies chemical state and therefore alters the natural ovulation schedule. The stress and anxiety over trying to produce a child is also in essence a factor in preventing it (“Fertility and Mental Health”).
There are many different medical reasons behind infertility. Some of which are tubal occlusion/distortion, pelvic endometriosis, idiopathic infertility (unexplained), and male infertility (Ratcliff, 7 ). Tubal occlusion/distortion is when the fallopian tubes of the female are either blocked or damaged and this is the cause of 41% of infertility problems (Ratcliff, 7). Pelvic endometriosis is a condition where patches of endometrial material exit the uterus and then attach itself to other structures in the pelvic cavity (Ehrlich ans Schroeder, 417). Reconstructive surgery is the first step taken to fix this condition. If the surgery is unsuccessful, then the ZIFT method is performed and ultimately IVF if ZIFT also does not work. ZIFT is an acronym for zygote intrafallopian transfer (Ratcliff, 8). A Zygote is a single celled fertilized egg (Ehrlich and Schroeder, 422). The ZIFT procedure is the process of fertilizing the egg with sperm outside the body after the eggs have been collected. They are then transferred to the fallopian tubes the day after fertilization (Ratcliff, 11). The ZIFT procedure is also used when the cause of infertility is idiopathic. If ZIFT fails after the first cycle, then GIFT is implemented. GIFT is an acronym for gamete intra-fallopian transfer. A gamete is characterized as a reproductive cell. It can be either an egg from a female or sperm from a male (Ehrlich and Schroeder, 392). The GIFT procedure can be used on a female whose fallopian tubes are intact and undamaged. This is when the eggs and sperm are placed in test tubes outside of the body but are then transferred to the fallopian tubes for fertilization to take place within the body (Ratcliff, 11). GIFT and ZIFT are both types of IVF, however, with general IVF the eggs are retrieved, fertilized outside of the body and then implanted in the uterus to then attach to the endometial tissue to grow (Ratcliff, 12).
Male infertility can be caused by numerous reasons ranging from low sperm count to slow motility of the sperm or no sperm present in the semen at all (Ehrlich and Schroeder, 411). Male infertility is the easiest and most cost effective to circumvent. The female can undergo artificial insemination and according to the Fairfax Cryobank only costs approximately three hundred to seven hundred dollars. This is also less invasive than the other procedures and no surgery is involved. This is a far cry from prices listed for Fertility Solutions and A New Hope Fertility Center with similar prices of $6,900 for only one treatment to around $20,000 for three. Anesthesia fee of five hundred is not included in this price,consultation fees either. There are also many Dr. appointments necessary beforehand to diagnose/treat the exact cause of infertility and therefore direct which route the patient will take. There are also hormone injections and oral medications that are necessary to the programs success that are required causing additional discomfort and fees. Embryos,eggs and or semen must also be stored or frozen in between cycles this also costs a one time fee and then a monthly fee. The list goes on and on. This is not to mention that any time taken off work to endure these costly procedures is essentially less money in the patients pocket.
The psychological repercussions of failed cycles has led to the high percentage of couples still coping with the inability to conceive. After many procedures, adoption should become the patients next option. Adopting a child is a wonderful alternative to the stress and cost of IVF. Especially since the ever growing invoice to patients who’d like to continue their quest in procreation should be a deterrent itself. The several thousand dollar price tag on a service with no guarantee on success or results seems a bit steep.
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Posted in Class Assignments at 5:11 pm by mabrantes11
I have decided to do my research paper on InVitro fertilization. Many people have heard of it, myself included, but do not fully understand the process or impact on the families involved. Many religions believe that conceiving a child in any other way than what is considered naturally is against God, etc. There are also a large number of couples who for whatever reason are unable to conceive a child. Does this mean that they should never be able to experience the wonder of parenthood? I think a good place to start is statistics of current fertility clinics, percentages of children born and such. Also the medical training that is involved as well as the science of it will be interesting to include. One way this topic can link to the photo essay would be to include several photos of a developing fetus throughout gestation to birth.
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04.13.12
Posted in Reading Journal at 2:56 am by mabrantes11
The American Scholar: “To Die of Having Lived,” is an article by Richard Rapport. It’s about the advancement in modern medicine denying people the once taken for granted right to just die of everyday things. Where once someone may die from a stroke or diabetes, advancement in procedures and medicines allow people to live longer lives. The unfortunate side effect of machines and medicine being able to do things like artificially stimulating breathing etc. is that people are spending their last days in a hospital connected by tubes rather than peacefully at home. The general opinion of the author is that we sacrifice our dignity and final comfort of their last days by being poked with needles and surrounded by strangers all for the effort of extending ones life by a few moments to possibly a few months.
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04.12.12
Posted in Class Assignments at 3:48 am by mabrantes11
Health and Medicine:
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Legalize Prostitution
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Assisted suicide
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Organ donation/transplants
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In-Vitro fertilization
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Choice of pregnant mothers to deny healthcare to unborn baby
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stem cell research
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seniors/elderly deteriorating eyesight /hand eye coordination,lethargic reflexes…should they be allowed behind the wheel?…no!
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should home health aides require more medical training back ground?
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Adoption of children by same sex couples (psy) i see nothing wrong with it, many ppl are opposed
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smoking in restaurants/workplace……eww
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ability in some countries to offer direct to consumer drug advertisements
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ability in some countries to allow ppl to pay women to surrogate children for them
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disposal of medical waste
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04.04.12
Posted in Reading Journal at 3:22 am by mabrantes11
“Lucky Jim” is an article by Elizabeth Gilbert featured in GQ magazine about Jim MacLaren.
Elizabeth Gilbert does an amazing job portraying the magnificent stamina and emotional strength of Jim MacLaren. She describes his background and generally paints the picture of an intelligent, athletic young man who approaching his graduation from Yale University seemed to have the golden life. Until tragedy struck in the form a bus running a red light while he was traveling on his motorcycle one evening. His injuries were so severe he slipped into a coma and one of his legs had to be amputated. He blasted through physical therapy after awakening from his coma. Such is the strength of Jim, he learned to walk with prosthetics, then run. He trained and became a triathlete. He broke a world record on speed, he was the fastest amputee marathoner in the world. While competing in a supposed closed course of a 26 mile bike run, a stray vehicle was allowed to pass and in doing so struck Jim. For the second time in his life and at only 30 years old he was in a second life and death situation. His neck snapped after colliding with a light post and he was diagnosed as a quadriplegic. His story doesn’t end here, months and months of agony and pain and more therapy and Jim pulled through with only semi-paralysis. His day to day struggles are still there but he has become an icon of strength and a motivational speaker. People go to him for advise and support. Jim MacLaren truly is an amazing man. This article is very inspiring and definitely a good read.
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Posted in Reading Journal at 1:38 am by mabrantes11
“No Refills” by Megan McCardle, is an article about the release or lack therof of new drugs to the pharmaceutical market. McCardle discusses the FDA’s stand on stricter policies,demanding more clinical studies and for longer duration, etc. The fact that large drug companies are concentrating more on tweaking already approved drugs or combinations of them rather than spending the expense toward researching and developing new drugs. Profits generally seem to be the main concern. If a drug that is under developement will only be geared toward a small part of the population, the companies shelve that project. Then prefering to go toward new patents of previously similar drugs that will make more money. It’s quite dispicable really. Fear of lawsuits as well also play a large part in the general lack enthusiasm toward pouring billions of dollars into a drug that may do more damage than good. The fact still stands that there are fewer drugs being aproved and released into the market each year than the years before it.
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03.25.12
Posted in Reading Journal at 3:19 am by mabrantes11
Lake Zurich, Switzerland, where Minelli tosses the urns of cremated remains of a great many of Dignitas' clients.
“Death Becomes Him“, by Bruce Falconer is an article mainly about the legality of assisted suicide and one mans(Ludwig Minelli) fanatical obsession with “helping” as many people die as possible. Falconer starts with the history of the man himself and key moments in Minelli’s life.His childhood memories of his grandmothers suffering with renal failure and ultimate death was the diciding factor for him that people should be allowed to choose to end their life.He calls it the last human right. He became a human rights activist/lawyer relatively late in life and eventually founded Dignitas. Their motto is basically about empowering people with the option to die with dignity. It helps put a face to name and humanize him more. It seems as the article progresses,Minelli’s views become more radical and he goes to great length to thumb his nose at authorites.
Falconer lists the history also of assisted suicide as well as the fact that it it legal in a few countries including the U.S (only a few states) with restrictions being the patient has an incureable disease etc. Switzerland is the only country however that allows foreigners to take their own lives providing they are of sound mind while doing so. However, Manilli has assisted more than 1,000 suicides since 1998. Several attempts have been made to gently reign him in the form of guidlines that must be met. Persons wishing to end their lives must be seen by a doctor/psychiatrist first,etc.I get the feeling that Minelli is obsessed with the increasing numbers of people he “helps” more than the people themselves. All in all this is a very interesting read especially since these are all real events.
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