Teen Contraceptives

Our nation's teen pregnancies have declined over the last twenty years. However, the incidents are still the highest in the developed world. Physicians and experts are struggling to reduce the nation's high birthrate among adolescents, and it looks like a possible solution to this issue has been brought up. On December 2, 2012, an article called, "Doctors Urged to Prescribe Teens Plan B Before They Have Sex" from the Los Angeles Times, Amina Khan reported that The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends prescribing emergency birth control pills to reduce teen pregnancies. Nearly eighty percent  of teen pregnancies are unintended and occur after unprotected sex. Emergency birth control pills, like levonorgestral, can prevent teen pregnancy if taken within three to five days. It stops the ovary from releasing eggs or prevents the sperm from fertilizing an egg. They are sold under the brand names Plan B and next Choice, and possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. There are no federal or state requirements that parents of teens need to be notified when they purchase these drugs. They are most effective if used twenty four hours after unprotected sex, and teens are ready to use them when they are readily available, which is why its important to give them prescriptions ahead of time. Dr. Jamie Lipeles, an OB-GYN Marina Del Rey Hospital stated, "Given that teens aren't likely to visit gynecologists for advice, pediatricians must be ready to provide as much information about contraception options as possible" (Los Angeles Times). The doctor is correct on her suggestion because not only will the doctors provide options, but will also use the opportunity to educate the teens about abstinence. 

Childhood Memory

Every person would wish to only remember happy memories because they are the positive ones. Ironically, sometimes looking back at the happy times makes a person feel sad, especially if returning to that moment is impossible. As a natural progress in life, we need to learn to accept the fact that some things can never be the same as before. There are certain childhood memories that I can never forget in my life. However, the most important memory I have is with my step grandpa, my dad’s step dad, in Armenia. He was a man that deserved this world’s honor and respect because of his humble and simple personality. As a doctor and creative author, he had a philosophical and inspiring side to him that I will never forget. I visited my homeland three times, and my third time was the last time I saw him because he passed away shortly after I came back to Los Angeles. He loved me just like he loved his biological grandchildren. The third time I visited Armenia was when he changed my life. When I was at his house, something had happened and I was extremely angry and raged. As I prepared to leave the house because I did not want to stay there another second, he called me in. We went in the larger living room of the house, and he asked me to sit down around the table, where there was a chessboard, with all its pieces neatly lined up at its places. After telling him that I do not know how to play, he said that it does not matter at this point. We started to play and I made my unsuccessful moves, which he corrected the entire time. I was still confused at why he was making me play if I did not even have the slightest clue on how to play. After my confused questions, he explained that chess is a battle, just like life. He told me that one must be careful at what move he or she makes in life because it can either hurt or benefit them, just like moves in chess. After this moment, I was careful to not make any mistake that I will regret later on. It has been about five years since that day, and I have not forgotten one life lesson he has taught me. I am truly thankful that this man was part of my life. Unfortunately, he is not here with me today, but his spirit will always stay with me forever.

Statins Used for Possible Cancer Prevention

At the present time, numerous technological and medical advancements are gradually leading to a complete cure to cancer. On November 7,2012, in an article titled, “Statins May Lower Risk of Cancer Death” from The Huffington Post, Monte Morin reported about a possible treatment for cancer. Statins, a class of drugs, are used to lower cholesterol levels in the liver. Research suggests that this drug may also be lowering a person’s risk of death from cancer. Thousands of Americans already use statins to improve their cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol levels. Cholesterol helps to build and maintain cell membranes, and is essential for their proliferation. Therefore, when cholesterol production is limited, the ability of cancer cells to uncontrollably reproduce is diminished. The National Cancer Institute warned patients to not use statins for cancer prevention purposes unless they have participated in a clinical trial. Sune F. Neilson, a biochemist, made an analysis of more than 5.5 million people in Denmark. He concluded his findings by stating, “Regular statin use before and after a diagnosis of cancer could theoretically reduce cancer-related mortality” (The Huffington Post). This article is important because not only does it inform about new treatments for cancer, but also it introduces a new class of drugs, statins, as a treatment for other medical troubles. Based on a study in a clinical trial, it is believed that statins can help treat melanoma. 

My Three Virtues

Throughout this three-day period the virtues I attempted to master were temperance, industry, and cleanliness.

Temperance: Temperance is a virtue that consists of not eating or drinking too much than necessary. I chose this because I have been a vegan for months and I know how it feels. Even though for a period of time I ditched my vegan diet for vegetarian, I did not escape my portion control. I eat a little bit of everything and finish my meal before I feel like I am full. Through the course of these three days, I was completely successful in practicing this virtue because it was easy. Regarding drinking, it was easier because I do not consume any drink besides water and a decent amount of tea everyday.

Industry: This virtue meant that I had to cut all unnecessary activities, including watching television, listening to music, and texting. I chose this virtue because I have a tendency of listening to music and texting often. Therefore, I selected this as a challenge to even higher levels of productivity. Even though I strongly attempted in trying to complete this virtue, I still failed. On Thursday, instead of completing make-up work for my absence, I listened to music and downloaded new songs into my I-pod, wasting a whole lot of time. On Saturday I texted my friends and we chatted for hours. Because of that I did not finish my loads of homework and left it for Sunday night.

Cleanliness: The goodness of cleanliness means that a person should be clean, sanitary, and hygienic. I chose this because I love being neat and clean. Also, I had a flu and I had to make sure that no other person got it from me. At home I used plastic utensils for everything, and at school I refused to share pomegranates with Anna. I also used hand sanitizer every twenty minutes. Ever since I could remember I have loved keeping myself clean AT ALL TIMES. Thus, throughout this time, I was entirely successful with this virtue. 

Poor Sanitation Found At Pharmacy

On October 26, 2012, in an article named, “F.D.A Details Contamination on Pharmacy” from The New York Times, Sabrina Tavernise reported about findings of the Food and Drug Administration on a company whose tainted pain medicine has caused harm to patients. The company, which is the New England Compounding Center is responsible for a national meningitis outbreak in which 25 people have died, 313 more have fallen ill, and about 14,000 have been exposed. The F.D.A. discovered that there was a greenish-yellow residue on sterilized equipment and that most of the tools’, such as testing dishes, surfaces were covered with levels of mold and bacteria. Experts stated that in some cases there were so many bacteria or fungi in a sample that the whole testing dish was overrun with overgrowth. Inspectors said that eighty-three out of three hundred twenty one vials linked to the meningitis outbreak. Also, the company’s air conditioner was off at night between the times 8:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., despite the importance of regulating temperature and humidity. In a room where sterile drugs are made it is exceptionally important to have air conditioner on because it holds back the growth of microbes. Not only did the unsanitary company’s practices lead to bacteria overgrowth on tools that need to be sterile, but also it led to the death of people, who could have been treated in a more helpful way. Russel E. Madison, a consultant on sterility issues to the pharmaceutical industry, stated, "In all my time in the pharmaceutical industry, which is 45 years, I've never seen one this bad" (The New York Times).

The True Victim

There is not one direct way to describe the analysis of the events in the The Scarlet Letter because it is a book that makes the reader feel sympathy for some characters and anger towards others. Throughout the book the reader understands that Chillingworth and Dimmesdale suffer for different purposes. Chillingworth is exceptionally hurt that Dimmesdale has slept with his wife, Hester. Therefore, he strives for revenge upon him by acting like a faithful friend while torturing him and making his poor health worse. Dimmesdale becomes ill and his sickness worsens, making him a completely different person. He shifts from a faithful, religious figure, who understands every one, to a person full of guilt, shame, and pain. It is completely true that Chillingworth is angry and hurt because he feels discriminated against his manhood. However, the real victim is Dimmesdale because he was not only keeping his guilt and pain a secret, but also he was unable to take care of his daughter and only love, Hester. He was tortured by his sickness, which was a result of his secret and guilt. He also felt guilty in front of all the people that respected and loved him as a kind minister because he was lying to them by keeping them unaware of his sin. All these feelings were kept inside of him, which made him ill and miserable. Even though he had planned to leave all that happened behind and move on, he did not live happily and peacefully with his family because he passed away right after his last sermon. A year later Chillingworth passed away left with no one to carry out revenge on. Chillingworth was not one to feel sympathy for because his purpose for living was not to look for justice but to perform his act of revenge on Dimmesdale. His character was mentally grotesque and he represented true evil. Not only did he waste his life, but he did not succeed in his plan for revenge because Dimmesdale publically confessed and passed away with relief.