Medical Miracles

In my very drunken stupor the other night I apparently entered into an intense (and likely one-sided) debate with JC over which graduate study was more difficult. As I took great effort to point out, medical school was far more difficult and important than law school. She, and other would-be doctors, train to win battles between life and death. I, and other would-be lawyers, train to win battles between multi-million dollar corporations or divorcing couples squabbling over the kitchen silverware. Whatsmore, it is technically possible for someone, even a criminal defendant, to be his own advocate. It is not possible for someone to perform his own surgery.

In light of this debate, I would like to take the opportunity to point out several interesting articles and items I have found and read over the last few weeks.

The most recent article I read sounds literally like something out of science fiction or a comic book. Military scientists and doctors are currently trying to use a "powder" to trick stem cells into regrowing body parts and organs. The ramifications of this are truly astounding.

Unfortunately, one possibly overlooked consequence of the aforementioned development is that may give individuals one less reason to take personal responsibility for their actions. Why stop drinking when you can grow yourself another liver, or put down the White Castle when you can grow yourself new heart muscle? With that end in mind, I present the following articles.

The first declares that "[p]lastic surgery has become an American obsession" with 20-somethings becoming the "primary audience obsessed with altering their personal appearance." I have never claimed to have a perfect body or face. Indeed I could point out a dozen faults with my physical appearance without even batting my horrendously long eyelashes. Yet, I have also never considered my faults so drastic as to consider plastic surgery. I do not have large scars or deformities which warrant repair, and nor do the thousands of my peers who have more disposal income than self-esteem.

The second notes the growing rates of anti-psychotic medicine use among children in the U.S. and U.K. According to that article, in 2005, 45 American children out of 10,000 use such drugs. This does not even take into consideration the escalating use of Adderall among those with no attention or psychological problems. Nearly 10% of American college students use Adderall and Ritalin for non-medical use, and 20% more use it without a prescription. I am told by those who want to and/or have used it that it is the "wonder drug" the focuses your attention and decreases your appetite. However, there are also possible long term physical and psychological consequences of repeated use. My greatest problem, though, with Adderall use by those who do not really need it is that it is another sign of weakness. Like athletes taking steroids, students who need drugs to pass a test are a disgrace to the game.

I apologize. To make up for that mini-rant I suggest looking at these very interesting X-Ray photos. Also, for the sake of time, I will not delve into two last articles worth reading. The first describes the ability of only a handful of individuals who have hyperthymestic syndrome, or the ability to remember every single thing that has ever happened in their life. The second is as sad as the first is amazing. This article states that a couple were charged with second-degree reckless homicide for refusing to seek treatment for their daughter who suffered from diabetes. Relying instead on faith alone, the couple prayed as their daughter slowly died of insulin.

Again I apologize. The last article was very depressing. However, it brings us back to my original point. Doctors perform amazing work and should be respected and applauded for it. To JC and all those present and future doctors who will keep me alive, for better or worse, I thank you.