Human Wonder

I'm in the mood for some wonderful medical breakthroughs, so I read with interest that the first organ grown entirely from a patient's stem cells was just accomplished in Sweden.  A man with tracheal cancer had been through all other forms of treatment including brutal chemo.  Researchers built a model of his trachea from a foam material, dunked it in a solution made from his stem cells, incubated it for two weeks, and surgically replaced his diseased one with the new.  Within two days, the trachea had developed a cough reflex.

But here's the kicker.  Some people worry about this new development.  Sure, there should be worries.  We should be worried that something unforeseen might happen, that the organ will not work as it should, that it will last only a short while, etc.  But that is not the worry.  Some are worried that THIS COULD LEAD TO HUMAN CLONING.  I say what THOSE people should be worried about is that we do the right thing to THEM.  I won't say what that might be.  You all can create your own scenario.  But whatever just and humane thing you come up with, we should do it.  We'll have to vanquish the other thoughts or at least keep them to ourselves.

Despite the malady, yesterday I went to get beautified.  I have many beauty secrets I won't share with you, but I will tell you this much, all the vanishing creams and unguents and secret formulas won't prevent the other thing from winning.  But we made our feeble attempts to keep me from being stoned to death by outraged mobs of villagers yesterday.  And while the beautiful Russian Jewess with the delicious (I wish I could write that word phonetically as it comes from her mouth) heavy accent was washing my hair, I said, "Oh, keep doing this.  I haven't been touched by female hands since the last time I was here."  The fellow she works with, a gay hispanic man with a quick wit and evil tongue said immediately, "Good for you."  Yes, I thought, it is all perspective.  "When was the last time you were touched by a woman's hands," I laughed.  "When my mother breast fed me," he smiled.

I will try another seduction of health this weekend.  I will take long walks, perhaps, and see if I can't whisper in her ear.  I went to the doctor yesterday.  He echoed all my postulations.  The difference is that he has the prescription pad, and he wasn't echoing what I said about that.  I believe a good dose of opiates would go a long way in making me well.  Rest is health's most important ingredient.  Give the body a chance to heal, I say.  A week on the pipe would do most people good.  Only just enough to match the pain.  And then just a tiny bit more.

The weather is perfect for me today, overcast and gray.  I could not stand a sunny day.  In truth, I think that I shall be better today, and even better the day after.  But my summer plans have been ruined.  All that is left is recovery and repair.  If I get a chance, though, I may be coming to your own home town.

Oh, and today's heading refers to the woman in the portrait as well as to the miracle of cloning.  Nature does not dole out all things equally.