Embedded Files
Loss of Productivity in the business scene during COVID Times
In March 2020, the WHO announced the start of the COVID Pandemic. This virus changed the structure of the entire world, as the population was placed under extreme quarantine. This quarantine even affected businesses all over the world, either in a pessimistic way or for the better.
During the COVID Time, around 1⁄3 of businesses were lost, especially companies that relied on walk-in customers like restaurants, coffee shops, etc. These companies were practically forced to shut down due to a loss of profit. Customers were forced to quarantine, so nobody could visit the business.
However, some businesses were lucky with the pandemic and were able to grow to significant heights. Many streaming services, such as Netflix and Youtube, have increased viewership throughout the entire pandemic. ACCA stated that “In the first half of 2020, Netflix added more than 26 million global subscribers - beating both Wall Street estimates and its internal forecasts”. Streaming companies were not the only ones that had an increase in profit. CVS had a huge jump in its stock price throughout the pandemic time, as many customers flocked to do covid testing and buy off-the-counter medication to combat the virus.
When COVID started, the world entered a shared state of panic. Many companies took a major loss of profit, or even shut down due to quarantine. While, many companies substantially benefited from the virus.
-Sohum Mishra, August 2023
Biotechnology Privatization
As costs for medical care and insurance continue to rise each year for millions of American households, many individuals are wondering if medical companies should be allowed to file patents on their devices. These patents effectively increase the costs of medical devices as companies have fewer incentives to lower product costs. However, it is necessary to allow biotech companies to file patents in essential inventions to provide a healthy environment for research and attract these companies to expand their industry within the United States.
First, patents provide a competitive research environment for companies, since they essentially obtain a monopoly on that product for the duration of the patent, making them more likely to invest in sound research. For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic, many medical companies such as Pfizer and Moderna raced to create a vaccine that could be produced and administered effectively without compromising on its efficacy. Just 15 days after the virus’ genome was decoded, Novavax filed a patent for a Covid vaccine, with Moderna (with NIH scientists) filing a patent the next day. The main driving force for companies to develop these vaccines was the prospect of obtaining a patent and access to the large vaccine market that Covid 19 created. Thus, it is clear that patents create a competitive research environment for biotech companies through the prospect of access to a new market.
Second, biotech companies are attracted to expand their industry within the U.S. due to the security patents provide, and this will create job opportunities and research partnerships with universities which are vital for creating a specialized workforce. For example, most biotech research is conducted in partnership with universities like Harvard, which has contributed greatly to dermatology research. Similarly, biotech factories also provide job opportunities and increased production of medical products, which may also help lower medical care costs for patients. Thus, patents help provide security for biotech companies which attracts them to expand within the U.S., providing job and research opportunities.
All in all, allowing biotech companies to file patents in innovations provides a robust and competitive environment for research and helps expand the medical industry through opportunities for workers and researchers. Although biotech patents may contribute to rising healthcare costs, it is also important to acknowledge their other effects. Weighing the benefits with costs, patents are useful tools to attract healthy competition and create opportunities for all sorts of people.
-Akshaj Sunkara, July 2023
Transplants
In 1945, the kidney became the first organ to be successfully transplanted into another human. Soon, doctors figured out how to transplant the heart and pancreas successfully in the late 1960s, while lungs and intestines were done in the 1980s. Although the major issue with transplants is the lack of organs for transplants and the possibility of rejection, these issues have begun to be solved. Recently, researchers have managed to figure out how to artificially “grow” a human heart using new technologies, though it is important to consider how these organs can be used to replace transplants safely and prevent rejection of the organ.
First, the organ transplant system will be revolutionized by the advent of “organ growing” which uses pig stem cells that are genetically engineered to mimic a human heart, allowing for more patients to obtain life-saving transplants. As of March 2023, there are over 100,000 individuals waiting for a transplant, with 17 dying each day. Although there is a system in place to match organs to patients, it is ridden with bad technology that does not perform as needed, much less the chronic lack of organ donors for transplant patients. Organ growing can remedy the second problem, seeing as they can act as backups for patients who need the transplants immediately. Thus, being able to grow organs can help save many lives in dire need of transplants.
Second, the organs that have been grown using this growing technology have not yet been successful in keeping patients alive. For example, one of the hearts grown was transplanted into a patient without any immediate side effects. However, he died two months later, possibly due to organ rejection. Organ rejection is an immune response in which the body does not recognize the organ as part of itself, and instead attacks it. This risk may have occurred in this patient’s case and is a warning about the risks of xenotransplantation, as in more serious cases the patients could die in the ICU. As such, the possibility of rejection is a very important thing to be concerned about, before organs grown with this technology should be used.
All in all, even if the artificial creation of a human heart is incredible, scientists are still a long way from making the organs a viable option for transplant given that they are not safe for transplantation and the risk of rejection. Of course, after some adjustments and research are done, it is more than likely that scientists will be able to grow other organs, such as kidneys for transplants. As the goal of medicine is to cure the patient, it is also just as important to make sure that the treatment doesn’t harm the patient.
-Akshaj Sunkara, August 2023
Hawaiian Wildfires
In the wake of the Hawaiian wildfires, many families have lost family members, their homes, and huge portions of their communities. At least 115 Hawaiians are confirmed dead, with more almost 400 still missing. In 2018, a similar fire occurred, causing lots of damage to the island of Maui. Given the scope of the wildfire, it is not a surprise to expect major health implications for all of its residents, and it is necessary to take extra precautions to prevent future disasters.
First, the wildfire burned lots of land, which created huge amounts of smoke that caused many first responders to suffer from smoke inhalation and trapped the intense heat from the fires near the ground and ocean. The fire burned at least 3,000 acres of land, and the intense heat from the fires helped kill many fleeing into the ocean. First responders were underequipped, and even in the wake of the 2018 fires, were not given gas masks to help mitigate the effects of the smoke. Smoke inhalation can cause serious conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and cardiovascular issues, not to mention fire related injuries. In addition, the emergency alert system was not activated leading to late responses from both first responders and residents. It is clear that first responders were underequipped, and the logistics for fighting wildfires were dangerously underprepared for wildfires.
Consequently, in order to prevent such disasters from happening again, guidelines similar to the ones kept in national parks must be enforced in Maui. For example, in most National parks, gas or propane grills and lanterns are allowed if closed flame, and open pit fires must be doused in water and made cool before leaving. Flammable materials must also be kept away from heat or fires. This prevents the chance of any human made wildfires from occurring, although it does not account for natural ones. In this case, Firewatch towers monitor the forest or surrounding area for wildfires and also act as command posts for neutralizing fires. In more recent times, lookout towers have been replaced with AI cameras, which can help teams respond to fires even faster. As long as these policies or similar ones are implemented, wildfires can be located and neutralized before they cause major property damage or loss of life.
All in all, it is important for county and state representatives to implement preventative measures to prevent the wildfire catastrophe from reoccurring and causing lasting damage to the Maui communities, wildlife, and health. Of course, everyone can learn something from this tragedy. Wildfires destroy 7 million acres of land each year, and it is important to practice safety when handling fires and have preventative measures ready. That is the least we can do for the 115 dead people in Maui.
-Akshaj Sunkara, August 2023
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse