Aquarium Therapy

                                                           Image via Isabel Friedell

There are many benefits to having an aquarium including having a calming thing to look at, they can help you relax, something you can be enthusiastic about and taking care of one is very rewarding. There can also be many health benefits. Having an aquarium can help with alzheimer's, dementia, ADHD, autism and many more things. Although aquariums cannot cure these things because some are genetic, it can help greatly reduce the symptoms. With more then 5 million people living with alzheimer's, it is important to know about treatments because odds are, you know someone who has or will develop alzheimer's.

Down Syndrome

Image via https://yogainmyschool.com/yoga-for-down-syndrome/ . 

Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of a third copy of the 21st chromosome. This extra chromosome causes certain physical, intellectual and developmental changes. These changes include things like having a small build, low muscle tone, slanted eyes, stunted growth, mental impairment, slower development and in some cases different heart problems. The links provided above give a variety of resources to deepen the understanding of Down Syndrome. It includes a basic summary on the disorder, an article on a possible treatment, a journal on the link between DS and Alzheimer's, a current news article describing the controversy of abortion for DS children and a video showing the successful life of one man with DS.

PIG PANDEMIC

Image Via: https://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/img/perfectpiglets.jpg

 African Swine Flu is a deadly virus affecting pigs and other members of the swine family that threatens the world's pig population. Beginning in Africa, the virus spread through Europe and now poses a threat to US pigs. Genetic engineering is the act of modifying an organism's genes to achieve a desired trait. A recent study out of the University of Edinburgh suggests that genetic engineering may be the solution to ASF.  In this case, pigs' genes would be altered to make domestic pigs immune to ASF. However, as genetic engineering is fairly recent technology, no one know the potential unintended consequences of genetic engineering and how they compare to the potential reaped benefits.

Gene Therapy

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Gene therapy (as the diagram shows above) is the process in which cells are removed from a patient, changed, and replaced in the patient in attempts to treat a genetic disease. This fairly new form of treatment continues to advance everyday. There are many challenges involved with gene therapy that include sending the gene to the right place, switching it on, bypassing the immune systems natural response to shut down intruding cells, and ensuring the new gene doesn't hinder the function of other genes. These challenges have hindered scientists from having success with gene therapy. Although many people have a positive outlook on the future of this technology, it is also debated because of previous failures and the ethics involved in the treatment.

Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency is an inherited trait that can cause lung and liver disease. It is an autosomal codominant inherited disease, meaning that there are different genes that can be active and contribute to the inherited trait together. It isn't caused by a single trait.

The Club Drug

Image via Dance Safe 

Ketamine is an intense drug that is commonly used as an antidepressant. It can have a huge affect on the brain and on other organs within the body. For example, evidence has shown that people who take ketamine as an antidepressant on a regular basis began to experience problems within the kidneys and urinary bladder. Currently, ketamine is a very controversial drug because there are still many things that psychopharmacologists do not understand. For many people, the drug had a rapid affect for getting rid of depressive symptoms. However, some were either not affected or their depression worsened. Many believe that going to therapy is better, but others think that it is better for a faster, chemical treatment. 

Neuroblastoma

Image Via Wikipedia

Neuroblastoma usually starts in or around the adrenal glands from the sympathetic nervous system where the "flight or flight" responses are produced. Immature nervous cells are called neuroblasts that can turn into Neuroblastoma. Common symptoms include sleepiness, loss of appetite, fever and joint pain. Doctors can use a urine test, body scan, and biopsy in determining if the patient has Neuroblastoma, and with treating the cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be used.