WK 8: Cell Biology: HIV and AIDS

1. How do I feel about western approaches to HIV/AIDS?
As with cancer, i feel very impressed with the amount of knowledge the western medical world has gained about the pathogenisis of the disease. They are dealing with an epidemic that propogates with huge mutations, so no two cases are exactly the same (i would guess). i think this is probably where my critique of the western approach comes in: that many individuals, despite their natural constitution, series of symptoms, or stage of illness are treated with the same cocktail of drugs and treatment (i'm sure a lot of medications are taken out and added in, but still they are dealing with a set of "HIV/AIDS" drugs that often cause crazy side-effects and don't truly "work" with the individual). same as usual, a non-holistic approach to a virus that effects each body differently....

2. Can TCM strengthen our immune system?
I think yes, definitely yes! This is one of the beautiful things that it does is strengthen our system to be able to combat exterior pathogens and not allow them to enter deeper layers. If people used TCM more often in this preventative way, instead of only running to their acupuncturist when they are sick, I think the true benefits can really been felt and seen.

3. The "Deal that Saved the Whales":
I loved reading this article. It sparked my own interest in the ideas of eco-tourism and made me happy to hear that locals of Baja are stepping up to not see their land raped and pileged like so many other locations that attract people becuase of its beauty. I think that it is very important to look at the cycles of nature that we are effected with capitalist growth and development. Breaking such cycles like the pregnant grey whales' amazing migration could down the line be a sign of real destruction of our own. The farther we separate ourselves from the web that holds us together and make decisions that completely disregard other life, in the end, the weaker we truly become. (I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that disagree with this and measure our success in terms of money and power only). It is important for people who feel a tie to their community to stand up for it, like the group Pro Natura, and take responsibility for bringing prosperity to peoples' lives without destroying the Nature that they live besides.