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:
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.
Hold my beer while i type something
@11:05 - Pardon me, but what in the hell are you talking about? Or do you know?
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
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.
Bill has spoken. All who do not bow and comply are ignorant fools.
"Knowledge Is Good" - motto of Faber College (setting for 'Animal House' for the less educated)
If medical science is so exact, why does anyone need an second opinion? Asking for a friend of course.
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.
"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.
"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.
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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