Craig+W.

=**WIKI Post #1 - Body Systems**= = = =**Possible Cure For AIDS**=

====AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), is a virus that has developed from an HIV infection. HIV slowly attacks the immune system cells and when the HIV develops into full blown AIDS the body is left relatively defenceless. There are approximately 34 million people infected with HIV and AIDS today, and since the discovery of AIDS IN 1981 an estimated 25 million people have died from the virus. Now in 2013 however, a cure may have finally been discovered. Recently in Washington, USA researches have been working with a molecule called DAVEI that deceives the AIDS virus into releasing it's viral DNA before it has connected to the immune systems cells. This revolutionary discovery was designed at Drexel University in Philadelphia, USA and has helped science take the next step in curing the deadly AIDS disease. Illustrated below to the left is a large quantity of the AIDS virus in the body, and to the right is Drexel University of Medicine credited for the design of DAVEI.====



====Drexel University has designed the molecule (DAVEI) which attaches to the AIDS virus. DAVEI tricks the AIDS virus into thinking that it's attached to a cell, and so the virus then shoots out it's protein spike and the deadly infectious contents that it carries making the AIDS cell completely harmless. This is illustrated in a video released by Drexel University:====

media type="custom" key="24075122"

How Does The Molecule Work?
====All pathogenic viruses have a lock and key method of attacking a certain part of the body. HIV cells have special protein spikes that only attach to immune system cells, so it's only until the virus meets it's perfect match that the deadly contents of the virus will be released into the healthy cell. The molecule that Drexel University has designed however, has been able to have the same lock and key fit as the AIDS virus is compatible with. This allows the AIDS virus to prematurely launch its pathogenic content making it harmless to the body. The HIV cell is shown below to the left; and you can really notice the brown protein spikes along its surface which only connect to the cells of the immune system. The DAVEI molecule is shown below on the right and it is truly remarkable how it is able to be a perfect fit with the HIV's protein spikes.====



Further Reading:
[|ttp://www.avert.org/aids.htm] - This site will take you into a greater detail of what HIV and AIDS really are and some interesting stats and videos of each.

[] - On this website it will take you through what is currently going on with DAVEI and some background information that you may find helpful with understanding AIDS.

[] - This is Drexel University's official website about DAVEI and this is where you find the best info about the possible future AIDS cure.

[] - This website has some very interesting details about AIDS and another form of cure for the deadly disease.

Sources:
[]

[|http://www.youtube.com/results?]

[|search_query=davei&oq=davei&gs_l=youtube.3..0l8j0i10j0.6111.14057.0.17486.5.5.0.0.0.0.1069.3316.2-1j0j1j1j1j1.5.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.HGGWiHXTGMY]

[]

[|ttp://www.avert.org/aids.htm]

[]

[]

__http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091105165527.htm__

**Designer Babies**
==== The idea that humans can now alter the outcome of a child is one of the most remarkable yet controversial topics today. In theory if parent and donor DNA was to be used, scientists could choose the sex of a child, their eye or hair colour, and even prevent diseases that the child may have down the road. Every parent wants their child to live a healthy, long life but manufacturing a child how the parents desire is a fear for human morals today. It is amazing that science is getting close to creating a world without chronic diseases, but at what cost? With genetic engineering becoming a reality it creates an ethical dilemma with society because we're beginning to have the technology to breed “better” people, but is this really what we want our future to be like? ====





**A Designer Baby Living Today**
==== Phillipa Handyside was born with a genetic fault in her DNA, she couldn't naturally conceive a child because her eggs lacked the amount of genes needed to create a healthy baby. It seemed that Phillipa would never be able to conceive a child without miscarrying, but that was until doctors recommended that she tried PGD (Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis) in 2005 which is a procedure that involves removing a cell from a developing embryo where scientists can guarantee a healthy baby and the sex of it. By using PGD, the doctors were able to screen embryos outside of the womb prior to when they developed into babies. The selected embryos that only carried the healthy genes ensured that the child would be born without any genetic problems. Phillipa's healthy son Ruiaridh was conceived from a specifically chosen embryo, but he isn't really a designer baby. Ruiaridh was still conceived from his fathers sperm and his mothers egg, and his genes weren't enhanced or altered in any way. Ruiaridh is considered to be a “designer baby” however because he was created out of a medically chosen embryo, and Phillipa's conception of Ruiardh is a miracle and living proof that genetic engineering is closer than we think. ====

**Financial And Ethical Downside With Designer Babies**
==== When saying to yourself, “I want to design my child” something about it just seems wrong and unnatural. The birth of a new life has always been seen as nothing short of a miracle because during that 9 months in the womb, so much can go wrong. With genetic engineering however, it's now incredibly easy to have a child that's free of inherited diseases, and recently science has begun to push the envelope when it comes to “designing” a baby. With the advances of science today the sex, eye and even hair colour can be determined by the parent and it only will cost them a minimum of $17,200 (IVF-IC SI cost $12,000, IVF medication cost $3,500, Embryo Biopsy cost $1,800, PGD test cost $3,500). Engineering a child is not only incredibly expensive but it is also highly unethical. It's one thing to want your child to have better health opportunities, but now that cosmetic advances are a possibility for the future it is raising a ethics debate worldwide. So many ethic questions are popping up around the world regarding the research undergoing with designing babies. Will designer babies have health problems long term? Could we have a gender imbalance in the future if parents are able to pick the gender of their child? Are people now trying to play God by deciding how their child will look? What will happen to a designer baby that doesn't look like what the parents wanted? Embryos that aren't chosen, what will happen to them? Are we just to destroy it, is killing a possible life going to be acceptable in the future because if the child isn't perfect it doesn't deserve to live? The only way to have a solution to these questions in my opinion is to not push the envelope too far. What I mean is, it's perfectly understandable to try and prevent diseases that cause millions to suffer and die, but when you want to make a person look a certain way because that's what you want you're playing with things that are far beyond your understanding. Who are we to play God? ====

media type="custom" key="24569714" width="109" height="108"

This Video details the new patent that the genetic history website 23andme has been granted. This video comes from the Discovery Channel and has a lot of great information concerning genetic engineering and even makes reference to the movie Gataca.

**Further Reading:**
====[] **-**23andme is one of the most controversial websites on the internet today. 23andme looks at the DNA lineage of your family, what diseases your future children are at risk of having and is one of the leading companies organizing the testing of DNA.====

====[] - This website outlines the major conflicts and benefits accompanying designer babies, and also provides some key facts concerning genetic engineering today.====

====[] - In this article a British couple wants to have a designed baby that can donate bone marrow to their critically ill son. This story is an example of how some children may just be created for spare parts, and it's yet another ethic problem connected with designer babies.====

====[] - On this website it will take you through the pros and cons of genetic engineering and the facts behind both sides of designer babies.====

**Wiki Post #3 Body Systems- Motor Neuron Disease**
====Neurons are a detramental part of everyday life for all humans. Neurons are what allow people to experience touch, scents and respond to the ever changing world around us. Even though our neurons allow us to function in everyday life, if our neurons suddenly weren't able to function properly than living an ordinary life would be impossible. In the Central Nervous System there are two major types of neurons: sensory neurone that allow us to perceive all that is going on around us, and motor neurons that give us the ability to respond to whats being perceived. Both sensory and motor neurons are equally important in living properly, but now more frequently people are suffering from a disease that majorly impacts all body responses, Motor Neuron Disease.====



**What Is Motor Neuron Disease?**
====Motor Neuron Disease is a disorder that destroys motor neurons that allows people to preform simple, everyday tasks such as speaking, walking, breathing, chewing and swallowing. Because the muscles are not working properly they continue to get weaker, and as MND continues a severe twitch, limb muscle stiffness and even ones ability to control their own movements is impossible. Motor Neuron Disease's cause is not yet known other than that it is hereditary; and far more research has to be done to find a cure for this highly aggressive disease.====

**How Is Motor Neuron Disease Diagnosed?** ====Today there are no tests that give a definite answer if a person is suffering from MND, but the symptoms of Motor Neuron disease can help a doctor to determine if someone has MND or not. Diseases such as Lou Gehrig's Disease, Progressive Bulbar Atrophy, Primary Lateral Sclerosis and Spinal Muscular Atrophy are all forms of Motor Neuron Disease and there symptoms include: wasting of muscles that control speech,swallowing and chewing. Muscle cramps, spasms and unfortunately even the ability to breathe without the support of a breathing apparatus. Motor Neuron Disease effects adults usually over the age of 40, and in children sadly before they are even capable of walking. The saddening truth of MND is that it not only can affects adults but also children who will never be able to walk without the assistance of someone holding onto them.====



**How Is Motor Neuron Disease Being Treated?**

Currently there are no possible cures for MND and its various types of diseases so further research has to be done to help the adults and children who suffer from the inability to walk, move and breathe properly if at all. Physical therapy, respiratory therapy and certain prescribed drugs like Riluzole and muscle relaxants help those stricken with Motor Neuron Diseases. There is some hope however, with the recent discovery of protein TDP-43 ending up in the cell body instead of inside of the nucleus causing cases of Motor Neuron Disease scientists may be able to use this information in providing a cure for a disease that has virtually no treatment.

media type="custom" key="24933690"

**Future Hope In Ending Motor Neuron Disease**
====The severity of MND is undoubtedly a constant reminder that something has to be to end this horrible disease. Further research, improvements with physical and mental therapy and most importantly the instruction of this painful and deadly disease to so many people who are unaware what Motor Neuron Disease is doing to thousands of people across the world. Some people today are passionate today about seeing an end to MND however, MNDA (Motor Neuron Disease Association) is the largest charity and research organization for MND and there project "Just Giving" has raised millions in the effort to raise money to end this disease. Motor Neuron Disease is horrible to have to go through whether your a victim parent or friend to someone who has the disease, and if there's a more conscious effort to finding a cure for MND then a cure will be found.====



Further Reading:
__http://hopestemcell.com/stem-cell-treatments/motor-neuron-disease-__ This website contains information on MND and also includes information on the use of stem cell research as a therapy for Motor Neuron Disease.

__http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/motor_neuron_diseases/detail_motor_neuron_diseases.htm-__ On this website you will really find the mother of all information regarding Motor Neuron Disease. It contains information on symptoms, treatments, types, diagnostics and anything else imaginable about MND and I credit much of my information gathered has come from this site.

__ http://www.justgiving.com/mndassoc- __ This is the official website of MNDA's "Just Giving" program and it is a great way to see how people today are influencing the research to provide a cure for MND.

__http://www.mndassociation.org/what-is-mnd-__ My last further reading website is the official website of the Motor Neuron Disease Association and it is the perfect website to into a more in-depth research of MND.


 * Sources Used: **

http://trialx.com/curebyte/2011/05/29/what-does-motor-neuron-disease-look-like/

http://ncpresby.pbworks.com/w/page/56278204/August%202012-%20Spinal%20Muscular%20Atrophy%20Awareness%20Month

http://hopestemcell.com/stem-cell-treatments/motor-neuron-disease

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhjCEH-sqvQ

http://www.justgiving.com/mndassoc

http://www.justgiving.com/doolist2013challenge4mnda

http://www.mndassociation.org/what-is-mnd