Has Medicine Gone Too Far?

The topic of In Vitro Fertilization has always been extremely controversial. For some, this process has given them their greatest blessings that they wouldn't have been able to conceive naturally, and others condemn it as morally unjust.
In a post on the Belief Blog, Sean Savage explains his negative opinion towards the Catholic Church's beliefs on conceiving through alternative methods. Sean himself identifies as a Catholic, yet considers the Church's belief on IVF "discriminatory", which has stunned members of their church. He proudly explains him and his wife's personal experience with In Vitro after many unsuccessful fertility treatments. Sean explains his gratitude for the IVF treatment for blessing them with their third child. There are millions of couples in the world who have been in the same position as the Savages due to medical conditions. As scientific research continues to grow, more modern procedures are created everyday. These procedures provide individuals with opportunities they would have never gotten normally, whether it be IVF, reconstructed limbs, etc. This particular blog post uses very positive diction related to the blessings In Vitro can provide and expresses negativity towards the belief that sexual intercourse is the only moral method of conception.

At an opposing end of the spectrum, a post in Fertility Blog expresses some not so kind words on the topic of In Vitro. This blog took a very different approach that could be classified as Logos using statistics and dropping exact dollar amounts concerning the subject. The IVF process is linked to the modern world and media in this blog, which may be hinting that technology is partially to blame. The writer describes the opinions of critics who believe that the actual process, along with the unused eggs, is "going against nature and natural selection".  At the end of the blog, the writer provided questions for readers to ask themselves in order to form an opinion. I would consider these questions as somewhat one-sided, putting shame to any "artificial" method of conception. The question that specifically caught my attention was "If a couple is infertile, should we view this as natural selection at work?". This automatically stirs up the never ending religion vs. science debate, in which both may respond "Yes" to the question without taking into consideration the factors that are unique to every couple.

In Vitro Fertilization is seen as a blessing to some and as a curse to others. There is no doubting that this topic will forever be considered controversial. When it comes to medicine, where is the stopping point, if any?

My Life's Mission

It isn't uncommon to hear that changes in major and plans for the future occur everyday. I take pride in believing that I have been blessed with knowing what I want to do with my life ever since I can remember. Being a doctor and helping people is what I truly believe I was put on this earth to do. I have an unmatched sense of compassion for the ill and underprivileged. When I was a child, I remember watching the Discovery Health Channel as opposed to cartoons every morning. Being able to change one's future or giving someone a new chance at life is something that I know I must do for others who cannot provide that for themselves.
 Many adults always told me to keep an open mind and they advised me to not be discouraged if I were to make changes after coming to college due to the extensive workload associated with a Pre Med Major. I would always politely respond but knew deep down that I would make my dream come true no matter what it took. After having attended Texas A&M for two years, I have been surrounded by hundreds of students with the same aspirations as me, yet I have also seen many students give up on their dreams in order to pursue an easier, less time consuming career path. No matter how tough school continues to become, my determination has never wained. I aspire to become an Obstetrician because I believe life is a precious gift and want to help women bring new life into the world. Once I have years of experience under my belt I am determined to make my dream come true and become a member of the Doctors Without Borders team. I will then have the opportunity to travel to third world countries and provide the underprivileged women with the safest birthing process possible.
I take every opportunity I can to become more educated and skillful to prepare for the life plans I have ahead of me. I will do whatever it takes to accomplish my goals in life. I use the set backs I encounter in life as motivation to keep me focused. I look forward to the future when I am able to give back to my community and those who never stopped believing in me.

The Beauty Of Culture

Culture is a term that is far too diverse to be limited to a single definition. I believe that everyone shapes their own culture through their actions, beliefs, characteristics, etc. The beauty of culture lies in the realization that you encompass the complete freedom to believe it is whatever you choose. The thought and opinion on what culture is to you is a symbol of individual freedom, which is something millions of others around the globe aren't given the chance to experience in many other aspects of life. 

I came to discover that my description of culture is identical to Aime Cesaire's statement.

"Culture is everything."

It has been the shortest yet most accurate definition of culture I have ever come across. I believe that the term "culture" requires nothing less than an endless meaning, because that is exactly what it is, endless. Culture is created through infinite possibilities of thought and action. 

With every decision you make, you are solidifying the mold that is the culture you have created for yourself in your life. 

I truly believe that we take bits and pieces of our family heritage in becoming cultured and our children will do the same to create their own image of culture. We become cultured through the impact of life's experiences on us. Having grown up in a Mexican American family I am fully aware that we have many cultural difference from all other ethnicities. I also realize that I am creating a very different mold of culture in my own life than every other family member who has been surrounded by the same general idea of what culture is.  I take pride in my freedom of thought and belief, and therefore apply it to every aspect of my life. Culture truly is everything. Who are we to put bounds on the definition of culture? We should allow everyone to create a unique idea of culture in their lives, therefore becoming individually cultured in the process. We should simply live and let live.