Useful Poo...No Thanks

In other parts of the world, biosolids (human waste) from sewage treatment plants are treated and used as sustainable agricultural fertilizer. Research the pros and cons of this method and take a stand as to whether this can be a realistic alternative to our current agricultural practices. Who are the potential stakeholders in this issue? Are we influenced by the Western view of human waste as an unsanitary and disgusting nuisance?

First thought is, like any other person reading this topic: EW. Right off the bat, I'm sure you can guess that no, I don't think this is a realistic alternative to our current practices. Are we influenced by the Western view of human waste as an unsanitary and disgusting nuisance? Sure we are, at least I'm pretty sure I am. Regardless of whether or not there's the influence of Western views, the thought of using another person's "business" to grow my food is gag-worthy in itself. But before I go off, let's weigh the pros and cons of this.

Pros


Creates jobs
- Like anything else that may introduce a new sort of industry to the community, it is basically a call for job opportunities.

It's cost effective
- Meaning, you're basically producing the product. In a sense, it's pretty much free, or close to it.

It's recyclable
- Although it irks me think about, it's true that it is indeed a recyclable product. In fact, it's so easy to reproduce anyway, so landfills won't be as much of an issue if this were the alternative used to regular fertilizer.

Improves crop production
- It proves to be as effective as regular fertilizer (as much as I don't like to think about it). It improves the soil quality as well as replenish it, as a fertilizer should.

Enriching forestland
- As random as this is, it's actually beneficial to forests. There are many species of trees that benefit well from the use of biosolids.

Cons


Potential health hazard
- The word "potential" shouldn't even be there, but because it's not 100% true, it should be put there. Nonetheless, the fact that it proves to be a health hazard should be enough to put you on edge, even if just a little bit. There are only so many ways you can "reduce, re-use, and recycle" but when you have to draw the line, you have to do it.

Effects irreversible
- Basically, if it screws you over, you're pretty much screwed for life.

May contain hazardous chemicals
- Okay, so one proposes that you clean the waste and filter it and what not so that it can be deemed at least usable in the field. This sounds like a chemical formula plus more waste that can easily be just as toxic.

Decreases property value
- To be honest, would you buy anything if you were informed that biosolids were used in said area? Come on, realistically, there is no way a person would consider shelling out money for it.

I suppose it's safe to say that there it's an equal fight, and the pros and cons seemed somewhat balanced. You can look at it as a practical solution, or see it as I see it - just plain nasty.

Sources: 1 2 3

Medical Machines...and Stuff

Evaluate the importance of various technologies, including Canadian contributions, to our understanding of internal body systems (digestive, circulatory or respiratory)

We've come a long way in terms of health advances. People have come to develop many new technologies benefit people as a whole. There have been many technological advances in the world today and even notably Canadian contributions have joined the bandwagon. With each passing year, technology in general can only get more complex as well as just plain awesome. But to be a little more specific, the focus on this wonderful blog will be the medical technologies that have since been developed and are being continuously improved.

Have you ever took the time to consider how the (now) considered simplest of technologies came to exist? How about the X-Ray? Sure, it's cool because it's basically showing you what you look like on the inside - literally, but what if it wasn't invented? I feel that this was definitely a great contribution to the medical advances of our time.



From this, scientists and doctors alike have come up with what is known as the Computerized Axial Tomography or better known as the CAT Scan. What the CAT scan does is take multiple x-rays of a particular place of the body and manipulate it so that you can see cross-sectional views and even produce a 3-dimensional image.



There was also the epidemic that was once diabetes. It had once taken the lives of countless of people and doctors were astounded as to how this epidemic could be fix. And along comes a smarty pants named Fredrick Banting, a Canadian doctor. He was thoroughly engaged in the disease and sought to find a solution to the problem.

Through a long thought process and lots of research, Banting was able to come up with Insulin.


Insulin is a hormone injected into the body and it regulates the fat and carbohydrates in the body. If Banting hadn't thought of this solution, then the world would have to deal with thousands upon thousands of starving people, all on strict diets in order not to intake extra fat and carbs.

All in all, there have been many new technological advances in the medical field that we sometimes overlook, as we do live in a technologically advanced age. These new advances are constantly changing and it's amazing how we are able to make and manipulate these machines to do what is needed for the better of the population.

Sources: 1 2 3 4