A) Stem Cells 1) Before you read the following, record what your current understanding of stem cells is. 2) After reviewing the learning resources for this discussion topic, respond to the following questions (use your own words): What are stem cells? Why are stem cells considered important? What are they capable of doing? Explain the difference between adult and embryonic stem cells. What are the controversies inherent in stem cell research? B) Longevity, public health, medical technology Part 1: Take the following online survey: http://www.livingto100.com/calculator/age Take note of the questions being asked in the survey and consider the factors that might impact your longevity. (NOTE: The survey does ask you to provide an email address and create a password as the calculator is regularly updated to account for new research findings. If you have strenuous objections to providing your email address you can create a dummy account through a free email provider or contact the instructor for an alternate writing assignment. ) Part 2: At the level of the individual, genetic and environmental factors help to predict how long a person will live. For this discussion topic, review the following (embedded in the discussion topic #12 area): 1) (article) Zeliadt, N. (July 1, 2010). Live long and proper: Genetic factors associated with increased longevity identified. Scientific American. Retrieved from: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/genetic-factors-associated-with-increased-longevity-identified/ 2) (video) DeGrey, A. (2009). The economics of immortality. Retrieved from http://bigthink.com/videos/the-economics-of-immortality (7:17) 3) (short story) Vonnegut, K. (1953). The big trip up yonder. Retrieved from: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/30240/30240-h/30240-h.htm Respond to the following questions: Share your survey results what is your predicted life expectancy? What factors contributed to your longevity (or lack thereof)? Briefly summarize 1-2 points made in each of the resources in Part 2. Limit your summary to 1-3 sentences per resource. Your summaries need not be exhaustive just tell us what you found to be the take home message for each resource. What are the economic, sociological, psychological, and healthcare implications of an aging population that could live indefinitely? What role does technology play in health across the lifespan? How does it keep us from being healthy? How does it promote health? (If you are having trouble answering this question, the optional resources below may be helpful) How long do you think we should live? Should we live indefinitely or should there be limits? Justify your response.
