Sunday, August 29, 2021

Bill Crawford: Science Provides Many Blessings

 As many Mississippians ignore, discredit, and denigrate science, the darn rascal keeps having more and more beneficial impact on our lives.

Know what mRNA is? It is messenger ribonucleic acid, one of several forms of RNA, a life essential complex molecule like DNA in our genetic system. What does mRNA do? Statnews.com offers this easy to understand explanation: “The body relies on millions of tiny proteins to keep itself alive and healthy, and it uses mRNA to tell cells which proteins to make.”

The scientific advancement of computers has itself led to the exponential development of genetic science and its applications. Many of us are experiencing a fantastic application at this time, i.e., the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for COVID-19. Both utilize synthetic mRNA that tells our cells how to make proteins that spur the immune system to generate the antibodies needed to fight off the COVID virus.

Synthetic mRNA? That’s manufactured mRNA. Thirty years ago scientists had a pipedream that synthetic mRNA could be utilized to get cells to do wonderful things like generate antibodies, enzymes, or agents to effect natural vaccines, cures for rare diseases, or tissue growth to mend organs. Around 2005 scientists found a way to inject synthetic mRNA into human bodies without spurring intense, negative immune responses.

Well, in theory. You see, this improved synthetic mRNA had never been approved for use in humans until the race for COVID vaccines occurred. Even then It was only approved on an emergency basis. But last week the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine using synthetic mRNA received full FDA approval. Moderna approval is expected soon. These approvals will set the stage for the use of synthetic mRNA for all sorts of amazing applications. 

All this was made possible, according to Statenews.com, when Chinese scientists on January 10, 2020, posted online the genetic sequence for the COVID-19 virus. “Because companies that work with messenger RNA don’t need the virus itself to create a vaccine, just a computer that tells scientists what chemicals to put together and in what order, researchers at Moderna, BioNTech, and other companies got to work.”

Such genetic sequencing is another fantastic bit of science. The concept was developed in 1977. Initial sequencing was slow and tedious. In the late 1980s sequencing machines were developed. More advances occurred. Today fully automated sequencing machines give results quickly. Chinese scientists told Time they got results in 40 hours. 

Let’s not overlook the monoclonal antibody treatments being used to lessen COVID symptoms. Monoclonal antibodies came on the scene around 1975. But it took the rapid advancements in genetic sequencing for monoclonal antibody development to reach its current level. Note that this treatment has only emergency FDA approval to date.

While politicians have muddled and meddled their way through the COVID pandemic over the past 20 months, science has responded quickly and effectively. Most of us don’t understand it, and many fear it. But we should appreciate the many blessings science provides us.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” – Ephesians 2:10.

Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don’t believe it’s right for Mississippi’s largest hospital let a trial lawyer (JG) dictate who should be vaccinated. He called them on July 15, 2021.

Anonymous said...

Hold my beer while i type something

Anonymous said...

@11:05 - Pardon me, but what in the hell are you talking about? Or do you know?

Anonymous said...

Yeah Bill, right now “science” just paid the FDA to approve a “vaccine” that is causing heart inflammation, blood clots, strokes, cytokinesis, antibody dependent enhancement and thousands of people to lose their jobs for not risking their health by taking this poison all for a virus with a 99.4% (at worst) survival rate

Anonymous said...

Don’t you just love hearing people make science out to be an absolute. Here is the definition of science: the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. 4500 medical devices and drugs get withdrawn every year by the FDA. The AstraZeneca vaccine was suspended in 18 countries earlier this year. Just remember sometimes medicine works, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it takes years to find out it should never have been approved in the first place. Many times you make it to treat a certain disease and then you find out it really works better for something else. I am the first one to go to the doctor but it doesn’t mean I trust everything my doctor says or does all the time. You are in charge of your own health care.

Anonymous said...

Bill has spoken. All who do not bow and comply are ignorant fools.

Anonymous said...

"Knowledge Is Good" - motto of Faber College (setting for 'Animal House' for the less educated)

Anonymous said...

If medical science is so exact, why does anyone need an second opinion? Asking for a friend of course.

Horse Dewormers -r- Us said...

Fortunately, Governor Reeves explained why Mississippians don't want the vaccine: belief in eternal life.

It doesn't really explain wanting to expedite the process, but whatever.

Anonymous said...

"Science" is providing us the opportunity to participate in the world's largest clinical trial. We'll know the safety and efficaciousness of these vaccines when the trial is over--or at least when it is robustly-developed. It's not really a surprise that the government wants the control group to be as small as possible.

Anonymous said...

"Science" is providing us the opportunity to participate in the world's largest clinical trial. We'll know the safety and efficaciousness of these vaccines when the trial is over--or at least when it is robustly-developed. It's not really a surprise that the government wants the control group to be as small as possible.

The control group isn't small.

It's called "Trump voters."

Not small. Very stupid.

Calm Down said...

Science is great. Public health experts drawing government salaries and politicians demanding that the science is 'settled' and making one size fits all mandates is the problem.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

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Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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