Monday, June 1, 2009

Blood Transfusions Are Not Medically Necessary

(This is an argument essay I wrote at Sinclair Community College English 111 a proud time in my life there were many classes I enjoyed but English Composition was great because I got encouragement as a writer and never got less than a B+ on any essay that first year. My favorite essay is this one because I defended a fundamental religious view to objective secular minds and it was accepted as a viable argument winning respect from those who differed in this opinion. Years of getting slammed in the face in the door to door ministry I found writing would get people to listen. this is an edited draft of that essay might not be the final one)
Trepanning, lobotomies, phrenology and bleeding, all once highly praised by the scientific world. Today scuffed and scorned at by even the most mediocre of minds. What is once a medical break through turns into pseudoscience.If someone was to deny such services in their peak they would have been scuffed and scorned, as crazy as it seems. Blood transfusions are just another dangerous faulty procedure with a sketchy history. People should not be ridiculed for the refusal of blood. In fact blood transfusions should be more examined through its history and the history of its alternatives.
The history of blood transfusions are filled with set backs, while there are constant advances in their alternatives. It started in 1667, with Doctor Jean-Baptiste Denis using calf's blood to treat a madman named Antoine Mauroy and failed fatally. Englishman James Blundell revises blood transfusions by using human blood in the 19th century taking the medical world over 150 years to make that conclusion. In 1873, F. Gesellius discovered over half of all blood transfusions ended in death. In 1878, Georges Hayem perfected a saline solution blood substitue called Hayem's Solution that did not make blood clots, had no strange side effects and was easily transportable. But in 1900 Karl Landsteiner discovered certain blood types existed and could not be mixed. Blood transfusions sky rocketed with propaganda during WWI and WWII using slogans like "Red Blood Needed For Red Blooded Americans" "Give Blood Now" "Your Blood Can Save Him" and "He Gave His Blood. Will You Give Yours." 13,000,000 units were donated during WWII in America alone. In the baby boomer generation blood transfusions became a multi-billion industry like tobacco which doctors allowed despite their knowledge of its danger. In the 1970's hepatitis from tainted blood transfusion was estimated to be somewhere between 3,500 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to potentially 35,000. Things got worse in the 1980's with HIV.
Looking at the history alone should make one reconsider transfusions medical merit. This involves an age old barrier between the worlds of science and religion. Religion has lost a lot of battles to science like the debate of earth's shape and position in the solar system, but other battles like evolution there has many times been a merging of thoughts. Religion has often taken a beaten from the medical world destroying religion's image. But religion and science do not necessarily contradict: both have been mistaken, misinterpreted, and corrupted from the smoking issue to a government's "divine right."
Many say a countless number of people will die without blood transfusions and to them this is a matter of life and death but an unheard crowd says this sentiment is not rational or fact based. Anyone opposed to blood transfusions is well aware of the counterarguments, since they are in the minority. Majority of people assume that only Jehovah's Witnesses do not use blood transfusions, but Dr. Spahn, professor of anesthesiology in Zurich, Switzerland, quoted "Even the surgeons request that we avoid transfusions! One surgeon, for example, came to us about his wife, who needed an operation. He said 'Just make sure of one thing that she does not get a blood transfusion'" and "those requesting bloodless medicine are usually well-informed patients" and Dr. Shander, assistant clinical professor of anesthesiology stated "in 1998 the patients who refused blood for personal reasons exceeded the number of patients who refused blood for religious reasons." People claim it is unscriptural to deny blood transfusions, but the King James Bible specifically states that it is unclean in Acts 15:28-29: "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well." Leviticus 17:14 "For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off" and Genesis 9:4 "But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat." People say bloodless operations are not adequate but for every one of blood transfusions many back steps bloodless medicine takes a giant step forward in its own merit. There are fluids like Ringer's lactate solution, dextran, hydroxythyl starch and many others that maintain blood volume, prevent hypovolemic shock and some are making progress in carrying oxygen. There are drugs like erythropoietin that produces red blood cells, interleukin-11 that reproduce blood platelets, GM-CSF that reproduce white blood cells, aprotinin and antifribrinolytics that reduce blood loss and desmopressin to help acute blood loss. There are collagen and cellulose woven pads, fibran glues and sealants that also reduce blood loss. There are also advancing surgical techniques and tools. None of these drugs, operations or techniques can carry diseases, whereas blood can. Many may think these procedures are expensive but compared to blood transfusions Dr. Shander says "there is a twenty-five percent reduction of cost with bloodless medicine."
This issue, although as big and as radical as it sounds, would not be dramatic. Certainly it will be a big deal at first in both the scientific and religious world. This could and has divided religion and science as well as science with itself and religion with itself. So far little fact has been used in this battle because the majority is being put in question and the populous masses have drowned the voices of reform that have facts. If the debate is lost now the strength of the minority will not be silenced because majority does rule not fact but facts reform the people. When or maybe if the minority wins it will just be another change in the status quo and a bit of progress in mankind.
Personal anecdotes will help bring the history out. The greatest anecdotes I can give are of blood transfusion victims to show the folly of this procedure. Antoine Mauroy was the first victim of modern medical blood transfusions. Elizabeth Meyer-Glaser, wife of famous actor Philip Glaser, was given a blood transfusion with HIV. Joyce Kimmel was given blood in Canada tainted with the West Nile virus, believed to have started its recent epidemic. Men in Nebraska and Texas were given blood with the West Nile virus. France is till going through an AIDS tainted blood transfusion crisis with the French Health Minister in a hailstorm with court trials for criminal acts.
Although these news are radical the action is simple. They must research bloodless transfusions so they can see it as sane, scientific and practical solution for themselves. Everybody must go and inform and educate the public. They must not scorn those who would also reject blood transfusions.

Cease Fire

Soldier #4:
I've seen things that shouldn't be shown
I've learned things that shouldn't be known
Now all I want is a life I can call my own
Soldier #5:
The only thing I remember worth fighting for
Was fighting to defend the Preacher's honor
So our hero's request is not to return to war
The News Reporter:
So each soldier requested not to fight anymore
No soldiers then no battles then no more war
A glorious demonstration of peace in the Preacher's honor

Poetry Post 285

Night Creeps
Lord help me my serotonins falling
And my libidos calling
And my flesh ain't stalling
Insomnia keeps me up and depressions got me down
No one to turn to nothing's around
And the sin surrounds
I try so hard to get to sleep
But the thoughts come in and creep
And sink into my hollow soul so deep
Lord there ain't no pill
To calm an urging thrill
There's no way to set it still
The only way to get through the night
Is to give up the fight
And forfeit what is right

School Crush On Graduation Day

What can I say
It's too late now you're moving away
What can I do in a day
If only I spoke you could have been my soulmate
But I didn't think our friendship had an expiration date
I settled for my shyness feeling I could wait
I was afraid of the word no
I tried to keep my feelings never letting them show
I never thought it would be grow or go

Electra Complex

Your father was never there
You acted as if you didn't care
You had the congregation for a family
So you had little reason to worry
But your father showed love by a distance
You thought he'd be with you if he had the chance
But he chose to take those business flights
Leaving you, your sister and mother alone hundreds of nights
Because you father left a mark
You think love is something left in the dark
A vague mysterious pointless romance
You can't appreciate anything that's at close distance
If you looked into your spiritual family
You would have found a friend in me
In childhood foolishness I wanted more
But I want more for you to remain pure
Untainted by broken promises he'll never think to keep
Leaving you alone in a king size bed to sleep
I don't want to offer you romance
I simply want to give you a second chance

The News Reprise

The News Anchor:
Well they caught the assassin who killed the Preacher
Right after he shot and killed the Governor
But half a dozen vets apprehended the murderer
The suspect calls himself The Reactionary
Self described defender of the military
As he brutally fought to break free
Tomorrow he will be arraigned and brought to trial
But the controversy suggests this could take awhile
So the prosecution hopes plea bargains will get things mobile

Poetry Post 284

My Spiritual Parents
I came to lay down my burden
I confessed every trouble and sin
And you comforted me reaffirming my good
You showed me everything I did as I should
Where I found failure you found accomplishment
For every flaw you saw a compliment
I recounted my falls you recounted the times I stood tall
And said those faithful in much was once faithful in small
I couldn't look beyond my sin
Carrying this heavy burden
But you saw the righteous within
Something you said I could put stock in

Tragic Heroes & Martyrs
Living alone dreaming of Brutus and Cyrano
Wishing to live the death of a tragic hero
A life without nobility is a life lived in vain
A life with nobility is a life lived in pain
In death a man can prove to everyone his worth save himself
Only hoping in faith that his deeds are met to save himself
In sin we're borne so sin is all we can hope for
Until something calls us into the lost fights of a martyr

Warning about this next poem
I use course language particularly slurs
That is because it goes with the concept of the poem called "Label" about words used in derogatory nature arbitrarily
I listened to songs like "Hurricane" and "Woman Is Nigger Of The World" watched several films that used such language satirically and dramatically and comedians such as George Carlin and Richard Pryor use it to discern whether I think any general audience could understand my context and I think those old enough to understand the nonsense and the drama of slurs will understand I am not promoting bigotry but portraying an irritating truth (I wish George Carlin and Richard Pryor were still alive because I feel like if anyone understands why I wrote this poem it would be them) By the way isn't odd Nas couldn't release an album named Nigger but Kid Rock uses that word multiple times in his lyrics and if labels mean anything why does that drunken man whore Republican Confederate flag waving loser get to use it PS I have been called all these labels at high school and junior high except the n word technically I was called a nigger lover
Label
I don't conform to a clique so they say I'm in a cult
I keep to myself but something's always my fault
I don't join in my generation of cliche
I don't play sports or shower with men so they call me gay
If I'm a Christian who thinks different from you
You'd label me a Jew
Skin heads listening to rap music with their finger on the trigger
Pointing at my head calling me a nigger
I choose passive resistence they call me a maggot
I choose abstinence they call me a faggot
I'm outspoken but I help in a pinch
So they push me around and call me a bitch
Hypocrite and haters label me as such
Why do meaningless insults from vile villains hurt so much

Echoes

The Activist:
What happened to love thy neighbor
And learn war no more

Isn't that what Christ died for
The debate is not how much you gain or lose
It is by whose principles you wish to chose
Righteousness is judged not by the ends that come but the means you use
I can't regret something I'm not sorry for
I can't just suspend my objections to war
It's a truth worth it's consequence to endure
The rights of a pacifist cannot be won through violence
It can only be protected by breaking the silence
And not let intimidation become a hindrance

Poetry Post 283

Respect
The one thing from a relationship one should expect
Is to have a mate that'll give you respect
Your thoughts, feelings, and soul should be viewed with honor
Then love and appreciation should be there at the core
Without respect then the first tear your mate should cry
Your love will rot and die
Unless you respect enough to care
Your love won't be forever there

Fallen From Eternity
I've stumbled off the path to be saved
Fallen in a freshly dug eternal grave
The hard rain makes me drown
And makes the dirt push me down
And I suffocate from the pressure of my situation
Leaving my life always be in question
And what will become of me in doubt
I've fallen in the trap of sin but no one is here to help me out

Down In The Gutter
Down in the gutter poor and cold
Sick and tired ever growing old
Never sat next to a warm fire
Never got what he desired
All because of a failed attempt to chase a dream
And as bad as it my seem
He is far better off than you or me
Because he dared to chase after what he dreamed to be

Soldier's Lament

Soldier #1:
I don't even remember what we were fighting for
Soldier #2:
So much death I'm not sure of anything anymore
Soldier #3:
Then how could we know if we won the war?
Soldier #4:
The streets so filled with death
You can feel it on your breathe
Until there's no other taste left
Soldier #5:
I'm sick of fighting battles I'll never understand
Killing and dying on someone else's command
Soldier #6:
How is it defensive to trespass foreign land
That is the same crime they charged the Preacher
Soldier #7:
And we're all victims of the same massacre
Life and Liberty snuffed out not protected by war

Poetry 282

A Path Found
Tracking through the wilderness land
With my imprints on the swamp and sand
Clear testaments to the path I chose
To uncharted land that no one knows
Trailblazer of today
Taking a path my own way
Careful to make sure the trail I lead is just
Not just to get lost and return to dust
Watchful for my final destination
That I spend forever not for temporary recreation

The Ten Commandments Of Brotherhood
Get in touch with the less fortunate
Always give more than what you get
Never harm God's beauty around you
Never live a lie, always be true
Take care of each other
Always love one another
Be faithful to your mate
Never act on hate
Never be materialistic or vain
Be true to God, always keep him in your heart, soul and brain

Ebony IX
Ebony the last time I saw you I gave you my heart
But since then the erosion of time has split us apart
For you there is very little I wouldn't do
But it's been so long I might not recognize you
People use to recognize us as a pair
Now they're all asking why you aren't there
Without you I don't feel whole
Like worn out shoes missing their sole
I only speak of your name in my prayer
But what's the use if you can't hear when you're not there
Just to see your face I dwell in fantasy
But others seem to feel I lost my sanity
But without you pain and apathy is all I ever feel
Without you there is no point in anything real

The Obituary

The News Reporter:
Sad news someone assassinated the Preacher
He died holding on to the beliefs he fought for
Unwilling to recant his position on the war
Tomorrow there will be a memorial service in his honor
It will be attended by the Governor
It will be held at City Hall at four
The public is welcome especially veterans and their family
There is of course no cost admittance is free
But call first there is only a 500 person capacity

Poetry 281 (Warning: I type all my poems and I've already hit the bottom of the barrel so bare with me)

War Time Ignorance
If I could speak my two cents
Society is suffering from poverty caused of ignorance
Millions of wise men open mouths with only foolishness to dispense
Rebels are breaking down walls while others sit on the fence
Fence sitters will fall
But rebels will die in the debris of the wall
Many always die in revolutionary coup
But other than population changes are few

Mystery Woman
I caught a glimpse of a twilight silhouette
Emitting from a beautiful brunette
Mesmerized by her aura
Coveting some other man's senora
Captivated with nothing to do
Turning my head won't change my view
She'll always be burning through my head
A supreme pleasure and agonizing dread
There's no stopping or escape
Her image is mental rape
In this empty space I moan
No one hears my cry I'm alone
I'm just another singer in the lonely choir
Tortured by the master that is desire

The End Of A Friend
I saw my friend I knew like a soul mate
So I went to ask her out on a date
She said to me "do I look like a whore?"
Before I left a total stranger had her begging for more
The next day I asked her why she put out for such a jerk
She said he was a full grown man and I was a childish dork
I told her she was going to get herself hurt
She said "at least he's not a pervert"
I said "I know I have lust but I also have compassion
That jerk bangs girls like their going out of fashion"
"Well at least he knows what's in style"
"I can't believe you'd defend a man so vile"
I said "I know how he treats women"
She said "That was way back then"
I said "the only thing either of us know is he's self-centered"
She said "you aren't one to judge and I don't need mentored"
So on and on we fought
But no justice was brought
All in all in the final end
I lost my very best friend