Survival Of The Sickest

i have to read it for ap bio and i havent got the book yet and im wonderign if it longs school starts in a couple of weeks and it needs to be done

It's about 288 pages if you buy the hardcover edition

for more details go to amazon.com

2009-07-30 16:13:36 by braaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Music video by Saliva performing Survival Of The Sickest. (C) 2004 The Island Def Jam Music Group

Honestly, that depends on how the sickest survive. If we develop techniques to change and repair the DNA so that the problem is fixed at the root, then it is not wasted.

On the other hand, if really sick people are allowed to survive and eventually have offspring, spreading their dangerous (and costly to care for) genetic defect around, then it does hurt society as a whole.

I feel that, even if it does sound like eugenism, very sick people should not have children. It is causing a burden on the rest of society.
Should we let those very sick children survive, through extraordinary therapeutic means? Now, that is a delicate debate, balancing humanity's value against humanity's goals.
The real answer -- if it exists -- to this is less a biological question than a philosophical one.

2007-03-09 03:28:08 by Ting

Okay, so I read the first chapter... It's all about iron and it's importance. I'm really confused. Can anyone put it into layman's terms for me?
wow, nice answer....

the book is basically a suggestion that some "deadly" diseases are actually good for us! they are treatable but through having them or having had them it makes us better able to cope with other worse diseases

a quote from amazon

I have always been puzzled by the way in which genetic diseases have managed to survive throughout the ages. How could it be that these diseases were able to withstand the evolutionary process, where only the most fit survive, and continue to be transferred from one generation to the next? Survival of the Sickest provides a thought provoking yet entertaining explanation to this puzzle.

In this insightful book Dr. Sharon Moalem demonstrates how conditions that are considered unhealthy (such as hemochromatosis, diabetes, and high cholesterol), or even deadly in extreme cases, might actually put their carriers at an advantage in combating other life-threatening illnesses. For example, he explains that hemochromatosis, a disease that, if left untreated, will kill you, may have actually been a defense against the deadliest pandemic in history--the bubonic plague during the 14th century. It turns out that this genetic mutation, which continues to be passed down through generations, actually helped spare many lives at one point.

Throughout the book, Dr. Moalem draws many connections between seemingly disparate subjects, such as the accidental invention of ice wine and cold diuresis, in order to illustrate the basic mechanisms of genetics and medicine in charming and intuitive ways. He skillfully interweaves his knowledge of history, genetics, and medicine not only as they relate to specific medical conditions but also in a way that addresses important challenges of modern society and our future evolution.

In the most general terms, Dr. Moalem's description of the human body and its complexity left me in awe of how far we have come in our understanding of biology and medicine, while also being reminded that the road to understanding ourselves is still wide open with much more to learn in the decades, and even centuries, to come. It is a fantastic journey on which he leads us and Dr. Moalem is a kind, knowledgeable, humorous, and helpful guide.

2009-04-08 06:44:46 by Kiley

I just picked up this book and it looks like it's going to be a good read. Anyone out there agree?

Sven Hassel's Monte Casino is pretty sick, i am reading that now.

2007-11-03 18:26:26 by charlesdclimer

I have read a few books lately, like Survival of the Sickest and Cure for all Diseases. My considerations when I was younger was great to promote non-nuclear weapons, and to support children in sports and greater challenges. Then I became concerned over the government and their money grabbing ways.
But now I see a medical subculture which threatens all in this age and time. It is no longer a consideration of respect for the patient and their quality of life, but it seems the best are like the character Dr. Gregory House, MD.
He cares little to nothing for the patient, and only the puzzle matters on solving the problem of misdiagnosis. I can tell you the worst, and I imagine many have seen it in their health visits.
You have assigned a primary care physician, however you more often see one of their physcians assistants. This person often carries a laptop computer, and keys in your symptoms. They run at least one test, and prescribe at least one prescription.
When you fill the prescription, it is not covered by your insurance. The physician will need to write a special reason you need this and fax it to them, then they will authorize it. When you call the doctor's office to get this done, they say they will simply prescribe something covered by your insurance company. They want you to call them to see what they will cover. The insurance company says they cannot suggest a medication since they are not a physcian. Then the lab contacts you by way of bill for the full price of the test, since it was not an emergency, it needed to be pre-approved. The physcian's assistant's medical clerk calls your answering machine to confirm the test was negative, or your results were "normal". For your effort and money you have the diagnosis of an upper respiratory infection level 2, four bills, (lab, pharmacy, doctor, and insurance payment), and an entire day you could've better spent resting instead of dealing with these people. So what do you think?
To myself, I have seen many families bled dry by the medical profession only to survive in constant pain in a nursing facility, relying on their loved ones to care enough to check on them whenever they can. Menwhile, any illegal alien can go into a hospital, and with Medicaid get will privilages without giving any insurance payment or personal responsibility. On the other hand, there are so many people who are simply sent home to die, if they have a home. Homeless people left by Tazis on the street, in their hospital gowns or with IVs still attached. This to me is the height of disrespect, since many of these people paid the majority of what Medicaid/Medicare and Social Security there is. Does anyone feel this is untrue?

crazy people are easily the biggest threat.

2007-07-03 00:24:43 by Too Curious