Advantages of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Research Stem cells are undifferentiated or naïve cells that are capable of developing into other types of cells. These are broadly categorized into embryonic, adult, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are “pluripotent”, having the capacity to develop into any of the specialized cells in the body (e.g. heart, muscle, and retina), thereby providing unlimited potential for cell and regenerative therapies (Pera, Reubinoff and Trounson). Adult stem cells come from adult tissues. These are called multipotent. they can differentiate only to limited types, usually to the same tissues from whence they came from. A very important breakthrough came two years ago with the discovery that adult multipotent adult stem cells can be induced, by the addition of transcription factors, to convert into pluripotent cells (Takahashi, Tanabe and Ohnuki). These cells came to be known as induced pluripotent stem cells or iPS cells.

Research of iPS cell technology must be promoted because of the many advantages of using iPS cells compared to the other stem cell types. The first major advantage is the use of somatic tissues instead of embryos as sources. Various types of somatic tissues can be used as sources of iPS cells for the repair of damaged tissues (Yu, Vodyanik and Smuga-Otto). Patient-derived somatic cells can produce patient-specific iPS cells that contain the patient’s genetic information. When these iPS cells are used in transplantation to replace diseased cells, the risk for rejection is reduced. Immune rejection is a problem in the use of embryonic stem cells (de Wert and Mummery). Another potential application is to use the iPS cells for constructing specific disease models and screening for effective drugs (Yamanaka). The potential therefore is high for healing degenerative and chronic diseases like cystic fibrosis, chronic heart problems, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and many more (Yamanaka).

The advantage of using somatic cells as sources for iPS cells leads to another advantage, which is the removal of the major ethical and moral issues surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells. Ethical and moral issues have hounded stem cell research since its potential applications were discovered, most concerning the use of 4-5 day old embryos as sources of embryonic stem cells. Since the embryos die upon the isolation of stem cells, the main ethical questions centered on life and its beginnings. Other issues were on obtaining stem cells from pre-implantation embryos, and if this is the case, are spare embryos to be used or should embryos for stem cells be created through cloning (de Wert and Mummery).

The discovery of iPS was well-received and met with the expectation that the newer technology will remove the ethical questions that surround embryonic stem cells. This is quite true considering that sources are somatic cells from adult sources. However, based on the proceedings of an international workshop conducted in Spain last summer, it appears that there are new dimensions to the social, legal and ethical aspects of the technology (University of Alberta). The new issues were specifically about intellectual property rights, clinical translation, consent, and privacy of donors and recipients. But these issues do not equal in magnitude the ethical concerns that were raised with the use of embryonic stem cells, and therefore can be through policy development (University of Alberta).

Currently, research on sources, applications, and optimizations of iPS cells is advancing at a very rapid phase. Many obstacles need to be hurdled (reviewed in Yamanaka, 2009) before the clinical benefits can be met. A limitation shared with embryonic stem cells is the formation of teratomas or tumors when undifferentiated cells are introduced into the required cell types. This can be overcome developing protocols that induce complete differentiation into the desired type. Other limitations are the uncertainty in determining the complete reprogramming of somatic cells to the pluripotent state, and the possibility of activating introduced transgenes in the genome of iPS cells, because factors inducing iPS cells formation are introduced attached to viruses. These viruses when integrated into the patient’s genome can be activated and cause unforeseen harm.

IPS cell technology holds great biomedical potential and countless benefits for patients with no options but cell-based therapies. There is no doubt that the present limitations can be overcome because of the fast-paced research techniques and advanced tools available to the researcher.

References

de Wert, G and C. Mummery. “Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Research, Ethics And Policy.” Human Reproduction 18.4 (2003): 672-682, DOI: 10.1093/humrep/DEG143.

Pera, M, B Reubinoff and A. Trounson. “Human Embryonic Stem Cells.” Journal of Cell Science 113 (2000): 5-10.

Takahashi, K, et al. “Induction Of Pluripotent Stem Cells From Adult Human Fibroblasts By Defined Factors.” Cell (2007): doi:10.1016/j.cell.2007.11.019.

University of Alberta. “IPS Cells Raise New Ethical Questions In Stem Cell Debate.” 10 December 2009. Science Codex. 13 December 2009 .

Yamanaka, S. “A fresh look at iPS cells.” Cell 137 (2009): 13-17.

Yu, J, et al. “Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Somatic Cells.” Sciencexpress (2007): 1-8 www.sciencexpress.org / 20 November 2007 / Page 1 / 10.1126/science.1151526.

Post- structuralists, decided to interrogate those binary oppositions challenging established concepts of gender and sexuality (Harrison, 2006, 134).

Though originated in the sphere of women`s studies, now queer theory deals with gay/lesbian studies and appears where the concept of “normality” arises. And where normality is established, deviation or queerness must also be defined. It is clear that the survival of any modern society is impossible without setting of strict moral and cultural rules and consequently when one chooses non-conformity he is bound to become the object of persecution (imprisonment, bullying, loss of a job, disgrace). So queer critique tries to understand how such categories of queerness are shaped, which systems help to maintain their existence, which factors influence their development. And media in any its manifestation (Television, printed press, Internet) as the force influencing cultural and communication patterns in society defines the way queer are represented in mass consciousness (Marcus, 2005, 193). That is why it is extremely important to pay attention to queer critique as the evolution of the queer depiction in media (cultural, linguistic and political levels) allows tracing the development of the concept of tolerance in society (not only racial tolerance but queer tolerance) and helps to predict future global cultural changes. Firstly, in order to analyze how queer critique is related to the spheres of media and communications, it is necessary to define the key concepts of this research. Secondly, it is crucial to outline how queer theory regards its major notions: sex, gender, and sexuality. Thirdly, it is important to trace how the concept of queerness has evolved throughout the years and how it has been demonstrated in media. Summarizing all this it would be possible to understand why studying queer critique is essential for media and communication. Main Body. Queer Theory. Queer theory in one perspective aims to challenge socially constructed systems which define human sexuality and peculiar gender characteristics. The word “queer” in the title of the theory defines the central object of the studies which is everything that is deviant, odd, and weird for most people.

“Hazara defeats local bully” Explanation on what Happened The kite Runner is a conflictual narrative that is wellendowed. It relates an Afghani boy Amir and his family as the main characters of the story. Amir has a friend whom they have been close since childhood and they had a bound and pact that was virtually unbreakable. His friend is called Hassan and as a character he has been portrayed as the centre of conflict and resolute entanglement. The main theme within the narrative is internal conflict- Man versus himself. This is brought out in the scene where Amir witnesses his friend being bullied and doesn’t do anything to stop it. This haunts him from childhood to manhood and he later finds retribution after his ally goes ahead to inform him how well he could pay up for his mistakes. Amir goes ahead to return back to the doom he had evaded after moving with his father to America- he goes back to Afghanistan.

Effect on Family

The narrative is vexed on cooperating our daily lives and improving on our past mistakes. The future is not controlled by our past but we chose how well to live our lives. It also gives a deep teaching on how well we can learn from our mistakes positively.

Reference

Hasseini, Khaled. The kite runner. n.a: Penguin Group USA., 1975. Print.

. The author states that in as much as the powerful individuals care about hunger issues, it is not enough to address the issue.1 On the other hand, Kent also addresses how hunger analysts view agricultural yields in line with hunger issues facing the world, and in this case, Kent states that hunger analysts must typically focus on various interventions and agricultural yields with supplements and capsules. He goes further to illustrate how hunger analysts rarely acknowledge how anger is deeply affecting society and the fact that it remains a social issue across the globe.2 Generally, the central concept driving Kent’s ideas to write the book the fact that there are several strong communities, which never go hungry no, matter their situation.

In this case, Kent states that strong communities tend to have high standards on how they view each other in the community and their well-being. In doing this, Kent is of the idea that people should always be ready to help each other in hard situations. The author further states that it is upon human desires to go hungry and that there is no food shortage across the globe instead, the shortage only comes in terms of opportunities that human beings lack. In this case, Kent suggests feels that in most cases, people fail to care about fellow human beings and in the end lead to hunger issues across the world.3 Generally, the book stresses the need to strengthen communities through building care as a way of ending hunger.

In chapter seven of the book, George Kent focuses on various topical issues in relation to hunger management programs and issues. In this chapter, Kent generally defines nutritional safety nets and goes further to explain how the guaranteed safety nets work in poverty eradication across the globe. Additionally, Kent talks about the global nutritional safety nets issues and the role of international law when it comes to hunger management.

. The play was a cascade of jokes and made the audience happy from the beginning to the end, which is a sign of victory.

2.The performer “Kate Herrell who acted as Virginia” seems to not have delivered her lines completely at times so did not come up to the mark. The performance of “Craig as Ira” was well defined and the gestures were perfect indeed. He came up to the mark and left a remarkable impression on the audience. “Emma” was a star that performed utterly well and carried the play with ample spirit. She showed her full potential to the audience and was the shooting star of the play. Christopher who enacted “Peter” was looked slightly uncomfortable in his character and required more attentiveness and dedication from his side to make his character look wholesome and rich. Nick Dickert was distinct in his acting and did full justice to his character as “James” but his voice was trembling at certain points.

3. The performers who were disliked were Kate Herrell, Christopher Lynch, and Ryan Flint. Kate Was not as impressive as she was not consistent with her dialogues. There was less of life in her voice and could not enter well into the character of “Virginia” in which she was portrayed. Whereas Christopher Lynch was not feeling fully the character of “ Peter” and somehow looked less lively and vibrant. It is very essential for an actor to get into the shoes of the character to bring about full life into the play. On the other side, Ryan Flint had a less powerful voice which made his character of “Frank” dull. Dialogues are an essential part of a play, so if it is not balanced with the acting skill can bring chaos and incompleteness to the character as well as the play.

4. The play all in all was an average performance and did not fail to amaze the audience. But it was unfortunate to notice some actors not supporting others and making it at time’s poor performance. In some areas, Christopher Lynch” was not interacting well with “Kate Herrell” and was in a hurry to completer his part of the dialogue. And also Kate seems to rush through some parts showing that she had forgotten certain lines. Noah Mittman, at other times, is displaying to be very overpowering, thus making all actors less confident and assertive. It is not good for one actor to stand out in a play because a good play is where all characters blend with each other to produce a smooth and sound theatrical show.&nbsp.