Take Two #75: Medicine Losing the Big Picture

May 06, 2013

By Kyra-lin Hom

Does technology make people dumber? Normally I'd vote 'no.' I love technology and believe it allows us to challenge our brains in new ways. I mean, yes, every once in a while I catch myself entering 2+4 or 6x6 into a calculator and then have to momentarily hang my head in shame. But for the most part, I am very pro tech. Recently, I had an experience that made me question that belief. It was... a doctor's visit.

Doctors and medical professionals are supposed to be really smart. They have to study all the natural sciences, research and mathematics, be able to step back and see a whole picture out of numerous symptoms like one of those crazy murals made out of thousands of tiny photos (called photo mosaics). This is traditionally a field for smart people. Well, my friends, that tradition may be slipping. And among other things like failing financial motivation (the true brains go into finance or super specialize now) and medical insurance soul-sucking booby-traps, I blame technology.

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Take Two #74: Can we Patent the Human Genome?


By Kyra-lin Hom

I apologize for missing all of you last week. I was finally moving out of my dad's house (an ongoing process) and simply ran out of time. I have now officially wedged my way into a three bedroom bachelor pad – yup, that's me and two of my male friends. My first new purchase of the apartment was a garbage can. You read that right. For several months they had been keeping trash in a slowly dying hamper. The lidded trash can has so far been a vast improvement. I'll keep all of you posted. I'm sure to collect many more interesting tales as time goes on.

But that's not what I want to discuss this week. This week I want to talk genetics, specifically the human genome. If you're at all the science-fiction fanatic I am, genetic enhancements are nothing new to you. Humans with hawk-like eyesight, superhuman hearing, or even no need to ever sleep are the sci-fi future's norm. If this is Greek to you, consider the current cinematic franchise known as the Avengers. Heard of the Hulk or Captain America? Those special serums that oomph'ed those men up to super-soldier status were genetic A-bombs.

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The Greatest Country

Apr 29, 2013

By Georgie Bright Kunkel

When I hear our president or anyone else spout about our country being the greatest country in the world, I become nauseous. I was brought up to share and not to engage in braggadocio behavior. I can hardly sing the national anthem without shuddering when everyone sings about the bombs bursting in air. I always have wondered what being the greatest country means anyway. If it means being the richest, then owing more than any other country puts us out of the running for that prize. Being far down the list of countries in providing early childhood and college education for citizens wouldn’t qualify this country for plaudits. And as to most affordable health care, that honor is already taken.

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