Re: Pandemic and possible war mixing in East Asia
Re: Pandemic and possible war mixing in East Asia
View attachment 3272
The above is a track of past and three possible future human population curves.
Below is a quote by Sir Thomas Mathus from Malthus T.R. 1798. An essay on the principle of population. Chapter VII, p61 in Oxford World's Classics reprint.
"The power of population is so superior to the power of the earth to produce subsistence for man, that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race. The vices of mankind are active and able ministers of depopulation. They are the precursors in the great army of destruction, and often finish the dreadful work themselves. But should they fail in this war of extermination, sickly seasons, epidemics, pestilence, and plague advance in terrific array, and sweep off their thousands and tens of thousands. Should success be still incomplete, gigantic inevitable famine stalks in the rear, and with one mighty blow levels the population with the food of the world."
So while we may not wish it to be true, the trials and tribulations humankind may confront during a catastrophic pandemic event could indeed include the outbreak of war. An event that can only worsen the pain and suffering the population has already experienced from the influenza virus itself.
GW
Thomas Robert Malthus.
Also from
An Essay on the Principle of Population
"It does not... by any means seem impossible that by an attention to breed,
a certain degree of improvement,
similar to that among animals, might take place among men. Whether intellect could be communicated may be a matter of doubt; but size, strength, beauty, complexion, and perhaps longevity are in a degree transmissible... As the human race, however, could not be improved in this way without condemning all the bad specimens to celibacy, it is not probable that an attention to breed should ever become general."
Eugenics -
Eugenics is "the study of, or belief in,
the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population by such means as discouraging reproduction by persons having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics)."<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference">
[2]</sup> As a social movement eugenics reached its height of popularity in the early decades of the
20th century. By the end of
World War II eugenics had been largely abandoned,<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference">
[3]</sup> though current trends in genetics have raised questions amongst critical academics concerning parallels between pre-war attitudes about eugenics and current "utilitarian" and social darwinistic theories<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference">
[4]</sup>. At its pre-war zenith, the movement often pursued
pseudoscientific notions of racial supremacy and purity.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference">
[5]</sup>
Are we to fall into this trap - again?
We need only to look back a short 55 years to Hitler's policy of "life unworthy of life".
Or to the
Genocide in Rwanda in 1994.
Why didn't the world react? Then, or now?
As we face a potential disease catastrophe what are we doing to be sure that as many persons on this earth as possible have a chance to survive?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQVeaIHWWck
What can we do for our fellow man? All of them.
Without regard to race, religion, economic status, disability, sex, intelligence quotient, caste........
Who are we?
......and what are we?
How can we help as many as possible?
One idea. Readily available generic drugs. May not cure. But could save lives. Why isn't this idea funded?
Written by David Fedson M.D. - via email, bolding mine:
"Research on Treating the Host Response <o
></o>
That Could Help Us Manage a Global Influenza Pandemic
<o></o>
<o> </o>
<o> </o>
Statins, fibrates and glitazones modify many of the cell signaling pathways involved in the host response to acute lung injury, sepsis and experimental influenza. These agents are produced as generics in many developing countries and are inexpensive and widely available. If they could be shown to be effective in treating severe influenza, they could be made available to people in all countries on the first pandemic day. This could save millions of lives. <o></o>
<o> </o>
Since the 1918 pandemic, influenza scientists have sought to explain why so many young adults died. Another question to ask is why most children lived. The mortality difference between the two groups probably reflects differences in their host responses to infection. Solid evidence suggests that statins, fibrates and glitazones could, in effect, "roll back" the self damaging host response of young adults to that of children. In doing so, these agents could be life saving. <o></o>
<o> </o>
The generics hypothesis is well known to influenza scientists, the World Health Organization, national health agencies such as the NIH and institutions such as the Gates Foundation. Until now, none of these individuals, agencies and organizations has been interested in pursuing research on these agents. <o></o>
<o> </o>
A five-point research agenda for generic agents was recently proposed (Fedson DS. Emerg Infect Dis 2009; 15: 365-71; table below). This research will be essential if we are to identify generic treatments that might be effective in managing a global influenza pandemic. The studies would not be very expensive, and the important ones could probably be completed in less than six months.<o></o>
<o> </o>
A research agenda to establish whether generic agents could be used for <o></o>
treatment and prophylaxis of pandemic influenza<o></o>
<o> </o>
- Test candidate treatment regimens in mice, ferrets and non human primates to identify specific generic agents that might be effective in managing an influenza pandemic <o></o>
- Later study promising generic treatments in cell culture and animals to define the molecular mechanisms that explain their beneficial effects, especially against H5N1 and 1918-like viruses<o></o>
- Conduct a global analysis to identify developing countries where these generic agents are produced and determine quantities produced, surge capacities, patterns of distribution and costs to public programs<o></o>
- Establish an international process to coordinate or manage the stockpiling of generic agents and/or their distribution once a pandemic virus has emerged<o></o>
- Plan to conduct randomized controlled trials of promising generic treatments immediately after the emergence of a new pandemic virus"<o></o>
What will history say about this period of time?
Will we meet the challenge of a century with traditional thinking, or will we pursue all avenues to save us?
The path is not always clear but the challenge is. Compassion, understanding, and kindness can overcome man's inhumanity to man.
"A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."
Einstein
em
