h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/genetics/2005-06-23-stem-cell-conference_x.htm

General news about the progress of stem cell research.
There is a statement about some womens groups saying it's dehumanizing?
What womens groups see it from that angle?


http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-06-25-viagra_x.htm

Finally common sense from Wahington on health care spending priorities. The Goverment plans (disabled ,poor and elderly)will stop paying for Viagra.

stem cell research dehumanizing?
what is alzheimer and parkinson then?

I think that the hope for a medicine thru stem cell research is something they will not find tomorrow, because most research takes a long time for a break thru that result in a medicine.I do not want to be pessimistic, but in 5 yrs you might see some positive progress and on 10 yrs you might get first tests. it will only happen time and money will be invested.

I am gonna be shot down in flames for this for not toeing the party line; but since i am hardly the most popumar person on hootoo right now, so what!

The Viagra thing, personally i feel, though maybe it is abused by some, for guys who have a genuine problem with impotence, surely a drug that helps will add to their quality of life; it must be awful to not be able to have a full relationship with your loved one simply because of physical problems; often the makes all the difference to having a life rather than an existence.

zdt

Well, certainly everyone's entitled to their own perspective!

But I agree that the government should not be paying for Viagra prescriptions. Especially as they won't always cover birth control and various other more necessary prescriptions.

It's my understanding that Viagra is now being used to treat pulmonary hypertension; I'm sure that using Viagra for this purpose should warrant government assistance. But I certainly see no reason why taxpayers should be responsible for subsidizing someone else's "relationships".

you got to have a decent woman 1st
one man viagra, waste of time

Terri
Do not confuse the comments during recent events with any sort of dislike or lost popularity - Quite the contrary.

*******

I agree PC >> They better cover it for other life threatening health issues. All orr the majority of private insurance companies paid for Viagra as a quality of life issue and I have No problem with that. It is a good thing for many.

Medicare has paid for NO prescriptions but is suppose to start on a limited basis next year.

Medicaid is for the poorest ( various circumstances) and it does pay for prescriptions. The last thing this country needs is viagra but no birth control for the poorest with few options.

No birth control coverage existed for decades but they covered Viagra from the first day (which leads to the neccesity for BC) is not logical or fair but it was profitable for private industry and some politicians! Viagra did finally *help to change BC coverage due to political pressures.

In an era where they are teaching abstinance first,trying to remove abortion and the morning after pill options it does not make sense.
My generation was denied coverage for birth control or any hormonal problem whether you are fertile or not. That includes a lot of quality of life issues for women. Menopause and PMS often requires hormones but because they are also BC it was not covered , fertile or not.


************
Other points-
Long standing (some elderly) relationships have also been broken due to Viagra and a sudden interest in sex again.

Many people have a good life and even good relationships without sex , many conditions take the luxary ,or whatever you want to call it, of choosing to equate having sex with having a quality life.

Some have a satisfying sexual relationship without intercourse.

Hi pheloxi *waves*
You are right , it looks like it will be a long time before the science actually works for folks. I think it will take too long for me but hopefully later generations will start to benefit in a big way.

Hi abbi thank you for posting them links . viagra was found out by chance ,they were looking for new ways to help people with heart problems ,and bingo they came up trumps helping the male with sex problems so yes viagra can be used for other problems , nice to see you terri ,and prof i hope you find the right woman . take care all . tig

not looking for one Tig!. once bitten etc, being s*** on once, never again



anyway, finding a rich one round here, I've a better chance of plaiting fog

lol prof you never no, never say never

Well,here i am again,wondering if i got my facts right.
Did i read that they were saying viagra could cause heart problems?I really must retain more of the info i gather .
Much more important drugs should be made available without charge ,but that's only my opinion.

Nah! mate, shield is up, I don't get hurt twice and I can garantee, there's nothing in my neck of the woods, that would! be a match, so I'm safe

Did i read that they were saying viagra could cause heart problems?I really must retain more of the info i gather / no a gp told me thats how they came to find viagra them they were looking for way on curing people with heart problems .

Oooops,simulpost prof!
just as a footnote,my medication costs £50 a month,and hubby's the same.We buy pre-payment cards..they cost us £35 each.

all the major drug companies, sell their products at a far higher price to the NHS, than they do to shops, co's they know the NHS has to have them, its a form of blackmail

just found this re- viagra, bit old but could be interesting

http://babyparenting.about.com/b/a/2004_01_14.htm

I saw in the news recently that a doctor was struck off for taking parts from babies that had died, without the parents consent
I only wish they could have given even more of a punishment, as that sort of thing is way out of order, even for medical research
Smudger,

Oh my Smudger

Smurfles it can be dangerous for some people.

Yep the link is similar for pulmonary vessels > what PC mentioned Manimal.
Pulmonary Hypertenion help for bablies!
That could be a real lifesaver if true, premies still need a lot of lung help

as long as medical science goes forward and not backwards, it all will help those to come in our future




Smudger, it was a doctor in Liverpool, he ordered the "body parts" to be removed, approx(not 100% sure)1000 babies, without consent of anyone