4 Unit 4: Biomedical Science

“When the East Meets the West: The Future of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the 21st Century.” Jane Qiu. National Science Review, vol. 2, no. 3, 1 Sept. 2015, pp. 377–380.

Abstract: Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have anything to offer Western science and medicine, or should its philosophy and approaches to healthcare be considered pseudoscientific? In this forum, six panelists from diverse medical, governmental, and scientific backgrounds discuss the differences between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western science and medicine, recent progress in TCM research, and key challenges in modernizing this ancient practice.

“The Healers Project: Decolonizing Knowledge within Afro-Indigenous Traditions.” Ana-Maurine Lara and Alaí Reyes-Santos. University of Oregon, 2016.

Abstract: This interactive blog seeks to interrogate and to interrupt the colonial gaze that historically vilifies and demeans our elders as “uneducated,” or “simple,” or “primitive,” and that deems their knowledge simply “folklore,” “popular religion,” or “superstition.” In order to interrupt the colonial gaze that has historically vilified Afro-Indigenous women healers, we conversed with them directly and actively recognized their societal role as knowledge producers. Their knowledge and perspectives offer us tools—through storytelling, healing modalities, crafts, dance, ritual, and music—to confront racism, gender inequities, xenophobia and the very real threats produced by limited access to healthcare.

• Supplement: “Traditional Medicines.” MyHealth.Alberta.Ca. YouTube (23 minutes).

Abstract: There is a notion that traditional medicines should be respected, honored, and better understood by all people, especially those who work in the circle of care. This storytelling project uses the power of sharing stories to facilitate safe, meaningful, and respectful conversations between health care professionals and indigenous communities.

“Update: Famous Tumors.” Radiolab, 22 Oct. 2013 (68 minutes; the HeLa cells story starts at 35 minutes).

Abstract: In this hour of Radiolab: an unflinching look at the good, bad, and ugly side of tumors. Say hello to the growth that killed Ulysses S. Grant, meet Tasmanian Devils battling contagious tumors, and get to know Henrietta Lacks whose HeLa cancer cells changed modern medicine. The episode was first released when Rebecca Skloot’s book about the life and legacy of Lacks had just hit the shelves, and this update comes four years later after some interesting things have happened to both Henrietta’s cells and her family.

“Promising Assisted Reproductive Technologies Come with Ethical, Legal and Social Challenges—A Developmental Biologist and a Bioethicist Discuss IVF, Abortion, and the Mice with Two Dads.” Keith Latham and Mary Faith Marshall. The Conversation, 13 July 2023.

Abstract: New developments in reproductive technologies have the potential to expand access to the experience of pregnancy. However, such advances come with challenges that go far beyond the purely technical into the ethics and implications of cutting-edge research. Developmental biologist Keith Latham and bioethicist Mary Faith Marshall discuss the ethical and technological potential of in-vitro gametogenesis and assisted reproductive technology post-Roe.

Case Study: Gene Editing

“The Age of Genetic Wonder.” Juan Enriquez. Ted.com, Feb. 2019 (18 minutes).

Abstract: Gene-editing tools like CRISPR enable us to program life at its most fundamental level. But this raises some pressing questions: If we can generate new species from scratch, what should we build? Should we redesign humanity as we know it? Juan Enriquez forecasts the possible futures of genetic editing, exploring the immense uncertainty and opportunity of this next frontier.

“CRISPR Babies Raise an Uncomfortable Reality—Abiding by Scientific Standards Doesn’t Guarantee Ethical Research.” J. Benjamin Hurlbut and Jason Scott Rober. The Conversation, 3 Dec. 2018.

Abstract: Uncertainty continues to swirl around scientist He Jiankui’s gene editing experiment in China. Using CRISPR technology, He modified a gene related to immune function in human embryos and transferred the embryos to their mother’s womb, producing twin girls. Many questions about the ethical acceptability of the experiment have focused on ethical oversight and informed consent. These are important issues; compliance with established standards of practice is crucial for public trust in science. But public debate about the experiment should not make the mistake of equating ethical oversight with ethical acceptability. Research that follows the rules is not necessarily good by definition.

“How Human Gene Editing is Moving on After the CRISPR Baby Scandal.” Katie Hunt. CNN, 9 Mar. 2023.

Abstract: Doctors, scientists, patient advocates and bioethicists gathered in London for the Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing, at which participants reported on advances made in the field and debated the thorny ethical issues posed by the cutting-edge technology.

• Supplement: “What is gene editing and how could it shape our future?” Gavin Bowen-Metcalf. The Conversation, 14 Feb. 2023.

Abstract: The potential for gene editing technology is astonishing—from treating genetic diseases, modifying food crops to withstanding pesticides or changes in our climate, or even to bring the dodo “back to life”, as one company claims it hopes to do. We will only be hearing more about gene editing in the future. So if you want to make sure you understand new updates, you first need to get to grips with what gene editing actually is.