More than a year since its beginning, the true origin of the COVID-19 pandemic is still unknown, but investigations into the matter have uncovered new questions about a scientific practice known as “gain-of-function” research. Most of the scientific community still contends that the novel coronavirus wreaking havoc on the world is of natural origin . Others argue gain-of-function (GoF) research may have potentially played a role, though, and critics have warned for years the field was dangerous enough to cause a pandemic. The simplest explanation of GoF research is that it is the process of taking a disease and making it more dangerous for some kind of scientific benefit. It can take a variety of forms, but the desired outcome is typically to make a disease more contagious, more deadly or both. (RELATED: These Members Of Congress Have Tested Positive For COVID-19 Since The Capitol Riot) This is primarily done for one of two reasons: to aid in the … [Read more...] about Why Aren’t We Talking More About China’s ‘Gain Of Function’ Coronavirus Research?
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The dangers of pausing the J&J vaccine
The rapid development of several effective vaccines is one of the few scientific success stories of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, the recent “ pause ” on using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will dampen the impact of this success. Many older people are still waiting for the vaccine, both here and abroad. The pause will unnecessarily reduce the supply of vaccines, leading to additional deaths. Before the pandemic, I helped design parts of the system that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) use to detect and evaluate vaccine side effects. Once a side effect has been identified, public health scientists and regulators must also consider the disease's risk and harms and patient characteristics. Early this week, the CDC/FDA Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) detected an increased risk of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) for the J&J vaccine. CVST is a very rare but serious condition where blood clots form in the brain. If not … [Read more...] about The dangers of pausing the J&J vaccine
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary Of Medical Marijuana Program
By: KDKA-TV News Staff HARRISBURG (KDKA) — Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf marked the fifth anniversary of the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act on Saturday. READ MORE: Pa. Opens Up Registry, Patients To Receive Medical Marijuana Within 6 Months The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act, officially known as Act 16 of 2016, led to the establishment of a medical marijuana program in the state. The governor reiterated his commitment to the program on Saturday. READ MORE: State DOH Releases List Of Physicians Approved To Prescribe Medical Marijuana “On the five-year anniversary of the creation of Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program, we continue to forge ahead in getting medicine to those with serious medical conditions,” Wolf said. “The work that the Department of Health does to ensure that products are available and that patients are able to receive medicine as seamlessly as possible, particularly during the pandemic, is exemplary.” According to state data, over … [Read more...] about Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary Of Medical Marijuana Program
More Than 3,800 Sign Up For Medical Marijuana In Pennsylvania In First Week
Follow KDKA-TV : Facebook | Twitter HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – More than 3,800 patients have registered for Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program in its first week. READ MORE: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary Of Medical Marijuana Program Gov. Tom Wolf says more than 200 caregivers have also registered for the program. He says the demand shows the “need for this vital medication.” A 2016 state law gives people under a doctor’s care access to medical marijuana if they suffer from an illness on a list of 17 qualifying conditions. READ MORE: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Plans To Welcome Back Patrons With 'We Are The Global Majority' Exhibit The law permits pills, oils, vapor or liquid marijuana, but not marijuana in plant form. Doctors must certify the illness and patients must obtain an identification card from the health department. Qualifying conditions include AIDS, autism, cancer, chronic pain and Crohn’s disease. MORE NEWS: Mon Incline … [Read more...] about More Than 3,800 Sign Up For Medical Marijuana In Pennsylvania In First Week
State DOH Releases List Of Physicians Approved To Prescribe Medical Marijuana
Follow KDKA-TV : Facebook | Twitter PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Pennsylvania Health Department has released a list of physicians who have been approved to prescribe medical marijuana. READ MORE: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary Of Medical Marijuana Program Twenty physicians in southwest Pennsylvania and four physicians in northwest Pennsylvania have successfully completed their practitioner registration and the required training and may issue certifications to patients with serious medical conditions. READ MORE: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Plans To Welcome Back Patrons With 'We Are The Global Majority' Exhibit The state recently opened the “Medical Marijuana Patient and Caregiver Registry” and promised to deliver medication to patients in the next six months. MORE NEWS: Mon Incline Reopens To The Public Click here for a full list of approved physicians. … [Read more...] about State DOH Releases List Of Physicians Approved To Prescribe Medical Marijuana
