Stem Cell Research: Good Or Bad?

"Can the end ever justify the means? That is the proverbial question that surrounds the research and ground-breaking studies about Stem Cells.




But before we go on any further with our discussion, perhaps we need to get a better understanding about what stems cells are. Wikipedia defines Stem Cells are cells that are found in most multi-cellular organisms. They are cells that can be distinguished by two important characteristics: 1) self renewal or the ability to go through numerous cycles whil maintaining its undifferentiated state, and 2) potency or the capacity to differentiate into specialized cell types. To simplify further, stem cells are those cells that has the potential to regenerate tissues over a lifetime.




Over the years, scientists and researchers have proven that Adult Stem Cells are actually very essential in the treatment of diseases like Leukemia, Spinal Cord Injuries, Heart Disease, among others. With this, there is no question about the importance of continuously doing stem cell research because we are seeing that they are beneficial in treating diseases. To give a concrete example, a research study was conducted about adult stem cells at the University of Houston by Dr. Robert Schwartz. Dr. Schwarts found out that skin cells can be implanted and regrown into developed beating heart beat cells to repair the damages caused by heart attacks.



Scientific and medical procedures involving adult stem cells do not lead to questions because the cells used in the curement of disease are taken from adults. There are, however, other lots of studies that involve the use of embryonic stem cells. Undoubtedly, these types of studies stirred up debates and discussions because the embryonic stem cells used in the studies are harvested from live human embryos. As a result, the human embryos are destroyed in the process. And because of this, it is but natural that pro-life organizations and churches disagree with continuing the studies about it. Besides, there are no proven treatments yet discovered out of embryonic stem cells studies.



Living in this fast-paced technologies and lots of ground-breaking scientific discoveries, I could not help but wonder about what is more that man will achieve in the coming years. As man continues to look for ways to improve and prolong his life, I am leaving you with the main question raised at a movie presentation about Stem Cells research:

To what extent can we use another human life to help our own?

May it be that we will always discern to think and to do what is right according to God's judgement.

Computers Then And Now

Last Saturday, I stumbled upon some old school things I used way back in the 1990s when I was studying High School. Assorted books, notebooks and papers are contained in my school bag, and scanning through them, I chanced upon seeing my old notebook for my Computer Subject in Third Year High.

Back then, Desktop Computers have just been introduced in our school, so you can just imagine that a lot of people, including me, have no any idea with regards to operating and/or using them. Of course, only a few families could afford to purchase their own units. So during those times, whenever we have group projects and we need computers, we have to go and visit our classmates who own a computer. The Microsoft Office Words and Excel were not yet popular, and what we use were the Lotus 123 and the Wordstar.

Fifteen years or so later, computer models have evolved fantastically; and we now have Laptop Computers that we could bring and use anywhere and anytime we want. Now we have the latest version of MS Office, plus we can access (almost) anything, thanks to the internet.

As I scan my old notebook, it is always good to look back and re-learn the basics of one of the most important inventions made by mankind- the computer. So for this blog, I will discuss the basic components that make up a computer system.

1. Computer Monitors- Computer monitors pertain to the screen, or the tv-like component of the computer system. This is where you are able to view what the computer is processing at the moment.

2. Keyboards- Keyboards are somewhat similar to the qwerty pads used in our old reliable typewriters. This is what we use when we want to type and/or encode transactions in the computer. The significant difference between the computer keyboards versus the typewriters are the F1 to F12 keys command keys at the top of the keyboard.

3. Computer Mice- or most popularly called as the "mouse", a great help in placing commands and in moving the cursor from one point to the other.

4. Printers- The printer is where the final output document is being processed, or, as the name suggests, this is where the final document is being printed.

5. Central Processing Unit- More commonly known as the CPU, the central processing unit is the heart and brain of the computer. This is where all the transactions are stored and processed as a person gives its command by using the keyboard/mouse, and before the output is shown on the monitor or printed on the computer.

Those are actually the five most basic components of a Computer System. But today, additional parts may include Computer Speakers, Webcams, Microphones, among others.

For the external storage devices, the floppy (5 1/4 and 3 1/2) disks are already obsolete. We now use compact disks and USBs.

Also as I have mentioned before, only a few can purchase computer systems because they are a bit expensive to common regular income earners. But today, it has almost become a necessity for every family to own one unit. And today, it is not that difficult to purchase a unit.

Computer units are actually available for purchase even online. However, it is always advisable that we visit reliable internet sites whenever we purchase items using the internet.

As we look forward for the coming years, we do hope that new technologies and ground-breaking inventions will be discovered to help us doing our jobs more efficiently.

SONA, Twitter, and Pia's Response

This is an update on my previous post about our lawmakers and politicians using Twitter to update the people yesterday about what is happening inside the Batasang Pambansa whereing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is delivering her 9th State of the Nation Address.

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Pia's Response


It seems the good Senator Pia Cayetano was able to access my blog that's why she responded with another twitter post concerning the spelling and grammatical errors. :)

So I responded to her para di ako makulong and told her that it's ok. :)

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One good thing about this twitter is we get to interact with "big" people like them. They let us know their thoughts, and we, also, are given the chance to tell them what we think.

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I am not able to watch the whole of the SONA so I just waited for the late night news Saksi to catch a glimpse of the SONA highlights.

One quotable quote from the SONA would be GMA's tirade against Senator and Presidential wannabe Mar Roxas:

"To those who want to be President, this advice: .....don’t say bad words in public"

She was speaking, of course, of the incident in one rally in Ayala, Makati wherein Mar Roxas cursed in front of the many people at the rally. Roxas later received a lot of negative comments about his misbehaving in public.

For those who missed the SONA, you may read the full text here.

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Etc. Etc. Etc.

• Saksi, the late night GMA News program featured our politicians who resorted to using Twitter during the SONA. Pia and Chiz's Twitter accounts, which I followed during the event, were even featured.

Inquirer.net also has a news bit about this here.

• Manny Pacquiao was present during the SONA, and he was also acknowledged by Madam GMA during her speech, I wonder, though if he was able to enjoy the whole of the speech .

• The controversial announcement the people has been waiting for didn't arrive. We didn't hear about PGMA's plans after 2010.

• The militant groups, as expected, staged their own SONA con rally outside the Batasan Complex. They, however, were drenched with the heavy rains yesterday at the area.

Twit Twit Twitter on SONA

I haven't got any access on TV right now, and I'm a little interested on what's happening at the Batasan Complex where President Gloria Arroyo is currently delivering her 8th (and last?) State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The news are a little late on updating the event, so I resorted to checking what our lawmakers are twitting about on Twitter.

I see Senator Chiz Escudero is giving a blow-by-blow account, but I'm not sure if he's there at the Batasan. Anyway, he mentioned that the SONA is about to start at 4pm.

Senator Pia Cayetano's post,however, got my attention.

Gumana ang pagka-OC ko. :D

Please see the picture below:

Anyway, I think Twitter has given us a good benefit, because it keeps us informed on what is happening in the country, and letting us experience knowing the professional and personal whereabouts of our celebrities (politicians, actors, etc.).

Will look for more updates on the SONA, so twit you around!