chlamydia, the STD monster

I have recently watched a video that talked about the "STD monster" (as they called it) chlamydia. The video was a three part video and each took a comical approach which I though was very effective. At the end of the video they were informative about STD awareness. The video that I would like to focus on of the three videos is the second of the two. In this video, it targeted what looked to be a college girl, and than the reoccuring man dressed in a chlamydia contumb. What was true about the ad were a few things. The first being that as the chlamydia man was looking around the room, he was pointing out who he gave the STD to. This is very accurate in that it can spread very fast. Also he noted that one of the women didn't even know she had chlamydia becuase symptoms can usually not show. On the table that the man and women were sitting, there were many empty drinks. In college there are many opportunities for sexual interactions. Partying only encourages that at an unhealthy level. The ad noted that 1 in every 20 college girls has chlamydia. Since the mood is light there are not really any fear portrayed in this ad and no false ingormation is given either. To me, this is not necessarily an effective way to present the severity of chlamydia. To me, the pictures of actual genetilia infective with the disease are the most effective. I think that advertisement and media have a huge role in SDI and AIDS awareness. One thing I don't like about this video is how they portray the girl as just some slut basically. I also think that the video needs to be more informative with shocking and startling facts. You can access the video by going to this link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4Y3QXOZY6E&feature=related

Clinton Tuskegee apology

The Tuskegee syphilis case in Alabama was one of lies and American embarrassment. As ethics were disregarded and physician code was ignored the tests were administered on patients who were unaware of just what exactly they were being treated for and for what they were treated with. For all they knew they just had "bad blood". What Clinton did, was formally apologize on behalf of himself as well as the American nation. Above all, and more importantly than only apologizing, he introduced new ideas that would improve the quality of medical care and ethics so that this catastrophe would never occur again. He proposed to rebuild Tuskegee, increase community involvement, to strengthen bioethics training, increase to understanding of ethical issues, as well as extending the charter of the National Bioethics Advisory Commission to October of 1999. I feel that Clinton did what any good president would do. As the head of our country he took charge and responsibly of the actions of our nations past. I believe he did a wonderful job as addressing individuals who took part in the experiment, apologized, and than, most importantly, proposed plans to improve American life. Without learning from your mistakes, one (our county) can not prosper as former President Clinton has stated. In Today's time a new era begins. President Obama, the first African American President, has taken office. To me this is no different than before. Black, white, red or green Obama has a fairness quality to him in which he will treat all races and ethnicities equally. He has an open mind and will put his efforts to where he sees most important. If those affairs include humans of color so be it. I believe that Obama does not look at color. He is a fair man and will treat all with fairness and decency. Our nation has taken a turn for the better.

Biochemical Weapons

Smallpox as well as other similar illnesses have always held a strong position of death world wide especially in places of poverty unable to afford vaccines and other medical treatment. In the the podcast #2 unit #1 I listened to, I was shocked as to the great link between diseases, how they can be controlled and terrorism. If placed in the wrong hands these diseases can be used as weapons of mass destruction. In The Siege of Quebec American troops were severely infected with the smallpox virus. Washington was terrified white with the threats of disease loaded missiles pointed at major cities in the U.S. Another example of smallpox used as a weapon occurred in the French Indian war. The English deliberately gave blankets used by smallpox victims to prisoners and the captured who sooner than later died. This is an act of terrorism. Nazi officers were put of trial and sentences to death a life in prison for similar acts against the Jewish during WWII. Is there a difference? Not in my opinion. Since the world is educated enough about disease and how catastrophic it can be, there is a lot of fear surrounding biochemical weapons. If not careful it could start a world war filled with disease and death. In places like America these days there are vaccines to the smallpox virus and other biochemical weapons, but in others where money, medicine and education is limited, they will take an overwhelming hit of destruction. A resurgence of smallpox isn't likely in America but is very much is places of poverty world wide. There have been success in dealing with smallpox and other diseases in the past which have all been a positive in the medical world. The only thing the I can think of that would worry people is the fact that these viruses are still very deadly. Even though in America they have taken a back burner position in annual deaths to cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc. due to advances in medicine, smallpox and other biochemical terrors still should hold a high place of fear.