Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/10/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I do not disagree but these same operations are insignificant in prolonging the general population's life span. Simple things like proper diet and potable water have a huge effect on prolonging the general population's life span. John Collier On Thursday, October 30, 2003, at 02:34 PM, Barney Quinn wrote: > John, > > I don't know if I understand what you are trying to say. There > certainly > are operations which will prolong one's life. Ask a cancer or heart > patient. And, serious disease, like blindness can most certainly > shorten > ones life in a number of ways which range from making one more accident > prone, more subject to opportunistic diseases, to destroying ones will > to > live. I think that your analysis vastly underestimates the pernicious > effects that chronic illness has on people. > > Barney > > John Collier wrote: > >> This is the classic misperception. That one or another operation will >> make us live longer. It may improve your quality of life but it will >> have little effect on how long you live. You imply that being blind >> will prevent you from functioning in society. I would agree with the >> proviso that you say "as I do now". Many people function perfectly >> well >> in society with a wide variety of conditions that "normal" people >> consider catastrophic. >> >> John Collier >> >> On Thursday, October 30, 2003, at 12:41 PM, Barney Quinn wrote: >> >>>> It is an opening into the broader debate of what consciousness and >>>> intelligence are. Should other "lesser" organisms be sacrificed to >>>> marginally improve our life span* (and looks)? >>> >>> Marginally improve my life span? I have very serious eye disease. I >>> have had >>> five operations. I may well need a sixth early next year. If it >>> weren't for >>> the modern, miracle medicinesand techniques which have been developed >>> in part >>> with animal research I would be blind, unale to support myself, and a >>> burden >>> to society. I am eternally greatful there there are doctors and >>> scientists >>> who have been willing to devote their lives to trying to help people >>> with >>> very real medical problems. >> >> -- >> To unsubscribe, see >> http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html > > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html > - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html