ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Jan 29 2025HEALTH

Breathing Easier: How Stem Cells Might Fix Lungs

Lungs are vital for life, but they face threats like cystic fibrosis or air pollution. When lungs get really sick, doctors might suggest transplants, but this isn’t always an option, and the body might reject them. Here’s where basal stem cells (BSCs) come in. These tiny marvels can repair and replace various lung cell types. Scientists are studying BSCs to treat lun...

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Jan 23 2025HEALTH

Big AI's Role in Suicide Prevention: A Fresh Look

Suicide prevention is a pressing global health matter. Annually, about 800, 000 people die by suicide, with around 20 attempts for every death. Large language models (LLMs) could boost digital suicide prevention services, making them more accessible and affordable. However, this also raises important clinical and ethical questions. These AI systems can analyze texts...

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Jan 16 2025SCIENCE

The Race to Revive Extinct Animals: Dream or Reality?

Bringing extinct animals back to life is not just a fantasy anymore. Thanks to advancements in genetic engineering and synthetic biology, companies like Colossal Biosciences are working on resurrecting creatures like the woolly mammoth and dodo. Recently, they secured a massive $200 million investment, totaling $435 million. This money is fueling their ambition to re...

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Jan 13 2025HEALTH

Psychedelics: A New Approach to End-of-Life Care

Imagine this: using psychedelic substances to ease the journey at the end of life. That's what some people are exploring. This isn't about getting high or escaping reality. Instead, it's about finding comfort and peace when facing the ultimate challenge. Picture this: a person with a terminal illness. They're in pain, both physically and emotionally. Traditional medi...

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Jan 07 2025HEALTH

AI in Pain Medicine: Ethical Crossroads

Artificial Intelligence (AI) could revolutionize medicine, including pain management. But before we dive headfirst into this tech, we need to address some big ethical questions. Can AI respect patients' choices (autonomy)? Will it make mistakes (reliability)? Can it be fair to everyone (no bias)? Plus, data privacy and security are huge concerns. We need to ensure n...

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Nov 08 2024HEALTH

AI in Mental Health: Promises and Pitfalls

Mental health problems are spreading rapidly around the world. Could big language models, a type of artificial intelligence, be the answer? These AI systems are already taking steps into mental health care, from offering guidance to providing treatment. Initial trials hint that they might be good at this, but there are significant concerns. To really be helpful, the...

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