Unconventional conception

Many Canadian couples dream of having children. They'd prefer not to adopt, opting to conceive naturally. A startling Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) investigation reveals increasing numbers of Canadians turn to the black market in their quest to conceive a baby, illegally buying human eggs.

As part of the research, six Canadian women advertising their eggs on the Internet were contacted. Within days, three wrote back with an offer and each said they were willing to undergo treatment that could net as many as 20 human eggs. Their price ranged from Cdn $5,000-$7,000. How this fee structure evolved is unclear.

Dr. Roger Pierson, a fertility doctor in Saskatoon, was beside himself. "We would assume there would be a subterranean traffic in eggs and sperm based on telephone conversations, but to have it written down is beyond my comprehension..."

As an effort to prevent cloning, the Assisted Human Reproduction Technology Act was passed in 2004. Curiously enough, it's not illegal for women to sell eggs, but it is illegal for anyone to buy them. Anyone convicted of buying eggs can face a fine of up to $500,000 or 10 years in jail. To date, no case has arisen in a major dispute. Nonetheless, hushed financial settlements remain commonly accepted.

Its widely known that egg donor in Canada have been compensated. Sellers don't apparently donate their time and body for the money, but rather, to help childless couples. But given physical and emotional tolls, compensation is requested. For obvious legal reasons, buyers and seller will sign documents for clinics to say that no money has been exchanged, then, turn around and do it in the nearby parking lot, like a kind gesture of good karma.

Concern had been expressed by decision-makers that women of lower socio-economic status would stoop to selling their eggs as an easy way to get money. Rather than legitimize what is already happening, the legal system seems to cover it up and focus on the negative impact it may have on more vulnerable populations. Weird approach, when policy-makers selectively turn a blind eye. Unconventional conception itself isn't breaking the law, but people will go great lengths to make it happen.  Who controls who gets what compensation remains personal and private.

Justification of restriction

Parents dream of ‘healthy’ children, but societies are redefining what this means. An April 26th article in the Australian newspaper, The Age caught my attention. NSW judge Paul Conlon condemned physicians’ widespread diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their propensity to medicate children from a very young age. Apparently, “ More than 264,000 prescriptions for the drug Ritalin were issued [in Australia] last year, compared to just 11,114 scripts written in 1992.”

Why suddenly medicate so many children? Might this reflect increasing numbers of parents deprive children of attention or, aren’t willing to deal with teach discipline? Might this reveal growing influence of drug companies on society? Judge Conlon explained he had, “ lost count of (numbers of) offenders coming before the courts who were diagnosed at a very young age with ADHD for which they were 'medicated.' “ ADHD has been set apart in poor concentration, distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsiveness and other symptoms that are age-inappropriate. If untreated, believers of the disorder feel it negatively affects learning, relationships and organizational skills.

A jump in medicated Aussie kids led me to research historic Australian populations that coincide with trends of medicated ADHD children. I discovered something shocking. Although the population rose from 17,099,900 (1992) to 20,810,069 (Jan 2007), which reveals a 10.2% growth rate, the fertility and childbirth rate actually decreased. Higher populations are based on immigrants who are often retirees. This suggests medicating ADHD in Australia increased 23.6 times between 1992 and 2006 without a coinciding increase in birth rate.

If you compare other national trends, a March 2007 study published by the university of Berkley, California, indicated the use of psycho-stimulant drugs to treat ADHD has more than tripled worldwide since 1993, challenging beliefs this neuro-developmental disorder is concentrated in the U.S. The study reveals, about “1 in 25 adolescents 15-19 is prescribed such drugs,” in countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Members are largely North American, European and Northeast Asian nations. While the U.S., Canada and Australia show higher-than-expected rates of ADHD medication use between 1993 and 2003, a selected country analysis also shows increases in ADHD drug consumption in countries including France, Sweden, Korea and Japan. What does this tell us? Should we be raising awareness of implications?

My insight into ADHD relates to my role as a university lab researcher in psychopharmacology for Ritalin studies in the mid 1990s. I also have a friend whose sister was diagnosed with hyperactivity and treated with Ritalin. In addition, I did considerable volunteering in psychiatric wards and community centers with the intention of pursuing psychiatry. My undergraduate Honors thesis investigated how popular culture, science trends and mainstream films, characterize and reinforce social stigma associated with multiple personality disorder (MPD) over a period of 30 years. Diverse experience built my multidisciplinary perspectives.

The drift to widespread diagnosis of ADHD in children echoes a disturbing trend recognized as the dangers of “chemical straightjackets” in Western countries. Diagnosis of mental illness evolves based on perceived advances in genetics and biochemistry, but also according to economic power dynamics.  Why is it experts involved in drug development/ marketing and prescribing physicians, expect growing trends of diagnosis to increase sharply? Both agree global costs for individuals and societies to medicate ADHD will also increase over the next decade.  Hmm.

Although the U.S. leads the world in ADHD medication spending ($2.4 billion in 2003), growth trends indicate that other countries are following in its tracks, according to the study. For example, global spending on ADHD medications increased nine-fold among OECD countries during the time period studied. This increase is largely due to the advent and availability of more costly and long-acting medications such as Concerta, Strattera and Adderral XR, among others.

Drug trade names may vary among countries, but the increasing use as a trend is similar. This situation prompts us to question whether widespread diagnosis of ADHD in children is really a symptom of serious imbalances in social, political, environmental, economic and other behavioral trends in society. To what lengths are we willing to go to justify imposed codes of conduct, and personal restrictions on anything from diet to etiquette? It's wise to ask yourself  who benefits from current trends, who defines them, and what do you have to gain or lose. How or why you justify restrictions on yourself is one thing, but what about on others?

Chocolate destiny

Many people dream of chocolate, consider it an aphrodisiac and even legitimate food group. Chocolate lovers and supporters of its anti-oxidents may have reason to become concerned about a new chocolate debate in the U.S. that challenges the definition of chocolate itself. Should % cocoa in production mean some candies will be unable to be called "chocolate" food? Would this cause you to reflect more on the ingredients of what you consume? Or, do only the after-effects matter?

Currently, the U.S. rarely allows vegetable fats as ingredients of products labeled as "chocolate." BUT, this may be about to change. An industry trade group called the Grocery Manufacturers of America, has combiend with the Chocolate Manufacturer's Association of America, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and a variety of groups. They desire to incorporate cheap veggie oil and lower chocolate food value. This curious effort to lobby the FDA to weaken chocolate standards has won allies among industrial-meat interest groups. They include the National Cattlemen's Beef Assn., the National Meat Institute, National Fisheries Institute, the National Meat Canners Association. Why might such groups suddenly take an avid interest in chocolate?

Consolidated buying enables large cocoa users to wield a significant impact in economies. Big profits mean its easier for companies to take advantage of poorer nations, that rely on cocoa production as a key element in foreign exchange. ADM is a key producer of cocoa, cocoa butter and chocolate, as well as products from livestock feeds to distiller's grains and processed foods. This suggests the company is seeking a wider market influence than we imagine. As the result of ADM's efforts, Congress is leaning toward considering the latest docket agenda that would replace cocoa butter and dairy components of chocolate with cheaper vegetable fats or PGPR. This means reducing quantity of actual cocoa in the finished product and creating an unknown result. So much for encouraging public health awareness?

It's as yet uncertain if repercussions of this debate will affect companies that choose to use real cocoa butter and high quality cocoa. If markets are flooded with low-quality chocolate, the price of 'good stuff' may sky-rocket because of its increasing exclusivity. How many people realize major chocolate makers profit from unsustainable growing practices and slavery to bring you those one-dollar bars? Free trade chocolate is not the only kind that protects farmers.

Rather than eat chocolate meat because you think any chocolate is good for you, or your consumer choices don't matter, think again. The cheap stuff may become worse for your health than ever. Eating it may not support sustainable business that will positively influence the destiny of chocolate you know. Read labels! Many people hope higher cocoa % and cocoa butter content chocolate stays available. Fake chocolate is over-modified with emulsifiers and questionable sources of ingredients. The simpler the product, the less fillers, the tastier and more nutrititious it is. Chocolate lovers have the power to shape the confection's destiny.

BEE-lieve you can make a difference

Whether we achieve personal goals and dreams during our lifetime is perhaps less far-reaching than seeking to understand how every creature is connected to us, our health and well-being. Caring for other creatures, seeking to grasp and relieve them of their dilemmas,is thought to be something that would help human-beings. Consider how many of us depend on other people and creatures who may not specifically be motivated to help us. Yet, we all perform roles that influence others.

A curious report is drawing attention to the unexplained disappearance of millions of bees in the United States (U.S.). Beekeepers are at their wit’s end. A bewildered Congress is examining this critical situation facing a key insect, that is essential to the stability of national agriculture. Cornell University studies indicate these industrious insects pollinate crops valued at anywhere from 12 to 14 billion dollars. Bees could mean the difference between success or failure of life-preserving crops.

According to the newsflash, initial signs of an enigma emerged just after Christmas in Florida, when beekeepers discovered bees had vanished with no trace. Since then, the syndrome which experts are describing as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), has cut U.S. swarms by over 25%. Where have all the bees gone and what can we do about it?

Daniel Weaver, president of the US Beekeepers Association, stated over half a million colonies, each with nearly 50 thousand bees, are lost. He urges people to recognize this phenomenon has already affected 30 of the country's 52 states. Curiously, in many cases, the mortal remains of the bees have not been found. In fact, the situation has been compared with stories of the Bermuda Triangle.

Scientists explore many hypotheses. One theory is pesticide may have caused bees neurological damage and altered their sense of orientation. Other scientists blame drought and highly-used technology such as mobile phone waves. Widespread bee disappearance as a symptom of large-scale environmental destruction has not yet been seriously explored. Attributing localized blame for negative consequences is more prevalent than seeking concrete solutions. No one admits they know exactly what triggered this syndrome or when it will end. How do you bee-lieve you could make a difference to a disappearing species? Which life choices might affect it?

Pre-paid funeral madness

You may dream of organizing everything about your life so that it’s neat and tidy. Some people, regardless of age, like to think all details they can control will be covered, and this includes pre-organized funerals. Thus, that eventual happening can go on schedule, according to specifications of the deceased.

Consider that with over 200,000 cemeteries in the United State, many cemeteries operate through volunteer boards of directors and one or two employees. There are also about 25,000 funeral homes, where the vast majority of cemeteries and funeral homes (~87%), are small businesses and family-owned operations.

Fraud runs rampant in the prepaid funeral business. The government has issued warnings to protect the naive, the elderly and anyone who might think they're a good idea. Many companies sell services they never intend or don't have the capacity to make good on, and prepaid funerals, along with pet cemeteries, have become highly-suspicious. Do your homework. If 9-11% of Americans polled purchase prepaid funerals and over 2,000,000 people die in the U.S. per year, this can lead to a considerable amount of money. What research have you done?

Even if you choose a legitimate firm, a prepaid funeral doesn't necessarily make financial sense. Consider the numbers. The average pre-paid funeral costs $5,000. If you that money and invested it at 9%, in 17 years that could become over $20,000. If funeral companies claim interest made from prepaid funerals offsets inflation, just think what you could be doing with that money yourself.

Buying a prepaid funeral package locks you into the exact funeral arrangements stipulated in the contract you sign up for. In the meantime, life happens and things change. What if you move? Why lock into your funeral arrangements with certainty when you embrace your live now with its unknowns? Perhaps now is the perfect time to review life on your terms. Consider your age, financial situation and your priorities.  If your estate is put in order in a written will, you can redefine what it means to be in the land of the living.  No need to rush prepaid funeral decisions.