Here are a couple of podcasts that have perspectives on historical medicine and scientific medicine.  They may be somewhat relevant as source material to my essay for medical perspective.

Naked Scientists Podcast — The History of Medicine (March 29, 2009).

The specific segment of intereset “Galenus of Pergamon and Roman Medicine” which is an interview of Vivian Nutton a Professor at University College London who studies the history of medicine. (Both audio and full text transcripts are available.)

Atheists Talk — Denialism and the Whitecoat Underground Episode #62 (March 22, 2009)

The entire episode is an interview with a physician, PalMD, who talks about how skepticism can be misused by fostering denialism.  He talks about what is denialism and how denialism is used in medicine and specifically in alternative medicine.

This content may not be much more than a footnote in the essay.

UPDATE: Also, Skeptics Guide to the Universe’s Steven Novella had an interesting point to make about a recent review of homeopathic studies done by the Cochrane Collaborative.  Specifically on the point of evidence based medicine versues science based medicine.  (Episode 195, April 15, 2009)  Episode Link,  Link to BBC article about homeopathy study review.

I would like to apologise for not updating my post as regularly as I should have. I am beginning to acclimatise myself to fill in my father’s shoes and take on the added responsibility in the family. Anyhow, so far, I am doing good, and with my IB results, it can only get better. These are my options for my degree

Option 1: Law

If you read my previous post, I did mention that I went to ATC College because I thought law would be interesting. I still find it so but I am not sure whether I would want to read law as an undergraduate. Law requires a very critical and analytical mind that can pick up the meaning behind every word in a statute or act. You know, all those lawyer language in agreements and stuff? You are expected to understand them, and write like that in future.

The good part about reading law is it helps you to be someone who can talk, debate, and communicate well. I love debating and talking with people. The only thing that is holding me back is, my uncertainty of whether I can cope with it. I learnt about Theory of Relativity, Particle Physics, and the Big Bang Theory (or like my cousin says it, “Abang Besar Theory”) before this.

After all this hard work with science, you go and read law? Hmm….

Option 2: Medicine

I wanted to be a doctor when I was kid, but I was turned off by the number of years required to be a doctor and the massive working hours. But, I guess I saw this profesion through the wrong lens.

I remember at 13 I wrote “heart surgeon” as my ambition when my teacher asked us to write down our ambitions. My dad had a heart condition then, and I wanted to do something about it. Then, as I grow up, money became quite important and I figured that being a doctor you need to invest a huge sum of money and that turned me off for good, until now.

After seeing how my dad succumbed to heart attack, I began to see this profesion differently. And being diagnosed with pre-hypertension, which might lead to heart attack if no precautionary measures are taken, I feel compelled to save more lives. If I can use this heart in me to save more hearts out there, why not.

Money-wise, I don’t know how am I going to fund this option. The only way for me to do this is to apply and win the RM350k scholarship from IMU.

I need to check whether they accept my IB subject options (Physics, Chemistry, Maths). I have to take MUET as well. Sigh… but well, it’s a good option. Like Audrey puts it, it gives me “magic hands”.

I think being a doctor would be something worth pursuing, if I win the scholarship and the funding issue is resolved. It is also academically challenging, something I enjoy challenging myself with.

Like Jorrel puts it, though it is a bit inward-looking, “it is very powerful to have the knowledge to save yourself,” as much as medicine is concerned.

Option 3: Engineering

This is the traditional option since I was in secondary school. This led me to apply to Ivy League universities because I know that the best engineering schools are in the United States. But, I am also considering local options as well if I can’t fly off anywhere for family reasons.

I checked out Monash University, which is not a bad university. They have scholarships for students who obtain 40 points or more in IB. So, that means I am eligible for their 100% tuition fee waiver scholarship. But the catch is, the only way to maintain the scholarship is to continuously score 90-100% in all 8 semesters there. If you go below 90%, the scholarship will be reduced and downgraded to a 50% scholarship. If you improve, it will be reinstated. If you fail any unit in your degree, your scholarship is as good as over. Another point to be considered is, the scholarship is only open to enrolled Monash Malaysia students. Financially, it means I have to fork out RM18k for my first semester before being eligible for this scholarship. A lot of faith is required.

Or, I can go to Singapore’s NUS. This is another attractive option because the MOE Singapore offers tuition grants and loans  to students who cannot afford the universities there – a good trick to ensure foreign talents stay in Singapore. If you can’ read behind the lines and actions of these Singaporean financial aids, please re-read. If I accept their offer and financial aid there, I will be bonded to Singapore for 3 years and possibly longer. Personally, I love Singapore and the living environment there. It is modern, safe, and efficient. Seriously, if I even go there, I will stay and never come home. =)

Engineering is traditionally a man’s job. (Think Mythbusters!) You blow things up. You make things happen. You create things from raw materials. I love these Mythbusters-like stuff, but can I do them in Monash? I don’t know.

Slightly off tangent, during the Star Education Fair I was a bit disappointed with some of their education officers who disbursed the wrong information to me. I reckon it might be due to the long hours of explaining the same thing over and over again. To Monash Malaysia, I hope you would take note of this and ensure that all marketing officers are fully informed because first impression counts.

Option 4: Accountancy

I spoke with my uncle about this profesion and I gained a lot of first-hand information. Accountancy is fun if you love numbers, and know what the numbers mean. It is fun if you know how to construct the financial background and profile of a company from the numbers.

He spoke about his days as an auditor and I enjoyed his sharing very much. But I am not sure whether this profesion is for me because I am not a very office person. I can’t sit still in office sifting through documents. I need to blow things up, or do some CPR to keep me focused.

——————————————————-

I will keep all four in view. I am still sitting and praying through it. It will be a long waiting process.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Federal health officials said Friday that they were reviewing a higher rate of deaths among patients treated with a Johnson & Johnson anemia drug in a German study of stroke patients.

Sixteen percent of patients who were treated with the drug, Eprex, had died three months after the study began, compared with 9 percent who were given a placebo, the Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.

The study was testing whether Eprex could improve brain function in stroke patients, an unapproved use of the drug.

The 522 patients were given relatively high doses of Eprex for three days or a placebo. Most were not anemic, the drug agency said.

Eprex is known generically as epoetin alfa. Johnson & Johnson also sells epoetin alfa under the name Procrit. Amgen sells a version under the name Epogen.

The blockbuster drugs are part of a class called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, or ESAs, which are approved for treating patients with kidney disease and cancer. Read more here……….

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