Kate’s Controversies

We'd all like to think we have good ideas from time-to-time, especially when we're collaborating on CR4. Last week, a thread about using shipping containers for temporary housing in Haiti was considered to be a "good idea" by many on the site. Unfortunately, turning good ideas into reality can be tough, which is why I was interested to see (albeit late) the "Pepsi Refresh Project" in the news.

What is the Pepsi Refresh Project?

The Pepsi Refresh Project invites individuals, businesses, non-profits, etc. to think about the world we live in and how to save, create, or change things for the better. Pepsi is encouraging ideas for all sectors of our lives, including Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Education, Health, and Neighborhoods. The best ideas, as voted by online users, will receive a Refresh grant ranging from $5,000 - $250,000.

Clear, constructive suggestions can be submitted to www.refresheverything.com. The site began taking submissions on January 13^th, but up to 1,000 submissions are still being accepted a month. Ideas must have achievable goals, measureable results, and be ready to start soon.

The Process

When submitting an idea, a user creates a project profile that can be saved and edited throughout. This project profile includes a plan detailing the 5 Ws, potential challenges, time estimates, personnel needed to complete the project, and other necessary steps in accomplishing the goal. Users are also asked to realistically estimate which grant amount would make their project possible.

Because grants are given to ideas with the most votes, Pepsi encourages adding some "bells and whistles," such as pictures, video, animations, etc. to make ideas eye-catching and exciting. Social networking is highly suggested for promoting ideas as well. As matter of fact, I read about this project through Good, whom I follow on Twitter.

Voting decides which ideas get funded. So even if you don't submit an idea yourself, you can vote for ones that you think are good. Voting officially began February 1^st and finalists will be announced March 1^st. In the meantime, go to the Pepsi Refresh site and make your voice known for each of the grant categories.

Fine Print

Although CR4 is a global community, the Pepsi Refresh Project is not as inclusive. Qualifying ideas must be from persons 13 years or older who are legal U.S residents. If a user is submitting an idea on behalf of an organization, the company must also operate within the U.S.

Don't worry about these limitations, however. There may be a silver lining here, as online collaboration makes many things possible. Many good ideas have come out of CR4 discussions; maybe this project can put some of them to use!

Resources:

http://www.refresheverything.com/

http://www.refresheverything.com/how-it-works

http://www.refresheverything.com/docs/idea-toolkit.pdf

Today is International Data Privacy Day, a holiday seeking to raise awareness and promote data privacy education. It is coordinated by The Privacy Projects, a non-profit organization founded in 2008 for investigating and recommending enhancements to current privacy polices, practices, and technologies.

In today's fast-paced, networked world, our identities, locations, contacts, purchases, histories, etc. are documented in various bytes and bits. Data Privacy Day asks that we stop and question how information is being collected, who is collecting it, and what they're doing with it. It also aims to raise awareness in people who may not be particularly web-savvy or knowledgeable about how to protect themselves and how their information is being used.

On January 26, 2009 the United State House of Representatives declared January 28 2009 Data Privacy Day. The U.S. Senate passed a resolution two days later, marking the first data privacy celebration. The day is currently celebrated in the United States, Canada, and 27 European counties.

The Privacy Projects says that data privacy is not only for individuals, but that businesses need to understand the importance of their compliance with privacy laws and regulations. The group stresses that business operators must understand that consumers need/want to trust their products or services before they're willing to pay for them; it is up to the consumers to enforce this attitude. This link contains a list of organizations participating in Data Privacy Day 2010.

Personally, I hadn't heard of this event until I was perusing Engineering News this morning, but it's good to be aware of. Had anyone else heard of this day, or any organization doing anything for it?

For more information on Data Privacy Day, please see the following links:

http://dataprivacyday2010.org/

http://theprivacyprojects.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_Privacy_Day

This blog is no stranger to the topic of bisphenol-A (BPA). The chemical is considered the most common form of polycarbonate plastic, and is largely found in #7 plastic materials and as an antioxidant in plasticizers for #3 plastics. BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which may mimic the body's hormones and lead to negative health effects through chemical leeching from the plastic into the body.

Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared plastics containing BPA to be safe in 2008, the chemical has been credited with a number of human health aliments ranging from increased estrogen receptors in the body to neurological issues. In 2009, The Endocrine Society released a scientific study expressing concern about the current rate of human exposure to BPA. Basic research on the topic of BPA points to a number of other issues related to this chemical as well.

A More Aggressive FDA?

Increasing numbers of medial reports and studies, like the one from The Endocrine Society, have continued to bring the issue of BPA leeching to light. A study of over 2,000 people found that 90% of participants had BPA in their urine. Traces were also found in breast milk, the blood of pregnant women, and umbilical cord blood. The study also fueled another aspect of this massive health debate – that babies were even being exposed to BPA in the womb.

Last Friday, January 15^th, the FDA said that it had "some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children." The FDA also said it would be joining other federal health agencies in studying the chemical effects on animals and humans; however, the agency still maintains that there is no proof that BPA is dangerous to humans.

Ch-Ch-Cha-Changes (Maybe)

The U.S. government will spend $30 million to research BPA's effects on humans and animals. This study will take place over 18-24 months. The research will include effects on human behavior, obesity, diabetes, reproductive disorders, cancer, heart disease, asthma, and generational effects. Additionally, the FDA is considering changing it's classification of BPA from "food additive" to "food contact substance." The new classification would allow the agency more power - and the ability to act quickly if needed.

After fighting the good fight against BPA for a couple of years, I was surprised to learn about the FDA's new concern over this chemical. Of course, so much has happened since I first wrote about BPA. People have protested. Companies have changed their manufacturing processes (Nalgene bottles no longer contain BPA!) and even recalled items containing BPA. Yet it still took this long. Better late than never?

Resources

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/16/health/16plastic.html

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All eyes are on Haiti after a tumultuous, 7.0-magnitude earthquake destroyed much of the capital city of Port-au-Prince this week. Although the world has seen similar disasters in the last decade, experience does little to lessen the pain of such an event. Unfortunately, reports are beginning to indicate that the extent of the damage in Haiti could have been less had proper engineering measures been in place.

A Warning Unheeded

Last month, a study by the Organization of American States (OAS) concluded that the conditions of most buildings in Haiti were unlikely to survive any natural disasters - even a 2.0-magnitude earthquake. Specifically, the OAS warned about structures built on sloped land and without satisfactory foundations, buildings made with improper building techniques, and structures built with insufficient amounts of necessary building materials such as steel.

The Price of Poverty

One of the largest factors behind the poor building conditions is Haiti's overwhelming poverty. In developing countries, there is little money to be spent on building and construction. In these places, construction standards and building codes also tend to be more lax than in larger, developed nations.

In fact, Haiti (and much of the Caribbean, really) lacks a national set of building codes. Some construction companies voluntarily work with an existing code, such as the French or Canadian standards or the International Building Code, but compliance is not enforced.

This lack of building standards was also cited as a reason for the loss of lives, goods, and land in Eastern Haiti during 2004. Since then, the OAS has warned that building codes in Haiti need to be a priority. As Cletus Springer, director of the Department of Sustainable Development at OAS explained, "So now we need to work with the Haitian authorities to develop a building code that is suited to Haiti and its peculiar conditions… (but) because of the poverty levels, not everybody's going to be able to build to the exacting standards that a building code would require."

How You Can Help

This morning, reports estimated that over 3 million Haitians have been affected by the earthquake thus far. More information on the tragedy continues to come to light as the dust literally settles. For those CR4ers who would like to help Haiti, there are numerous ways to be involved. Below are a few ways to contribute financially:

The Disasters Emergency Committee in the UK is taking donations for Haiti via phone, website, or post. Click here for more information.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is also taking donations on their website.

The American Red Cross is also allowing users to donate by texting "Haiti" (90999); each text represents a $10 donation that will be charged to your cellphone bill.

Help Haiti Now is a non-profit organization that aims to "provide food, water, medical supplies, housing assistance, and financial assistance to families, schools and churches."

What's Next for Haiti?

There will probably be many more ways to be involved, too, even if you cannot contribute financially. Keeping Haiti in your thoughts, and understanding the factors behind such a disaster, helps also. As engineers, what measures or actions would you like to see go into the reconstruction of Haiti?

Resources:

http://www.oas.org/dsd/Nat-Dis-Proj/HBSD/Background.htm

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/13/haiti.construction/index.html

http://www.slate.com/id/2241439/

Humans are always striving to improve things, including matters pertaining to health. At one time, PETA wanted us to consider the advantages of using human breast milk. Now, scientists in Russia and the Netherlands are hoping to use transgenic proteins from the milk of rabbits and mice for what they claim are potentially lifesaving drugs for humans.

Transgenic Organisms: A Primer

Transgenic organisms and animals are considered to be a subset of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs). These terms refer to organisms that are inserted with DNA that originated in a different species. Transgenic animals are often used for biomedical research in regards to creating human drugs or hormones, such as insulin.

Mice and Lactoferrin

In Russia, an experimental farm is working with mice to produce the human breast milk protein, lactoferrin. This particular protein protects babies from viruses and bacteria while their immune systems are still developing.

Typically, breastfeeding mothers produce 4 to 5 grams (0.1 to 0.2 ounces) of lactoferrin per liter of milk. Mouse milk is naturally rich in protein. So, when used transgenically, it can translate into high concentrations of lactoferrin – up to 160 grams (6 oz) per liter.

To milk such small creatures, a team of researchers had to anaesthetize the mice and use specially-adapted pumps that were created to fit their tiny teats. Patrick van Berkel, a senior director at Danish biotech company, Genmab, believes that commercially producing mouse milk would be a "logistic and technical nightmare." "Larger animals such as rabbits, goats, or cows are required for commercial application," he said.

Rabbits and C1 Inhibitor Protein

Rabbits are also being eyed as a useful transgenic animal. Researchers at Pharming, a Dutch biotechnology firm, say they're ready to begin commercially milking rabbits, pending authorization from European authorities.

Pharming has been experimenting with milking rabbits for years. They've outfitted the animals with a human gene that produces the protein known as C1 inhibitor. C1 inhibitor deficiency is associated with hereditary angioedema, which causes swelling due to leakage of fluid from blood vessels into connective body tissue. Human C1 inhibitor proteins can also be obtained through blood donations, but Pharming claims that their method is best, as there would be no safety issues in terms of blood viruses.

According to a Pharming spokesperson, Marjolein can Helmond, rabbits can average up to 120 millimeters of milk a day. When modified with the protein, the rabbits' milk contains up to 12 grams of C1 inhibitor per liter. The rabbits, like the rats, are milked with miniature pumping machines that attach to the female's teats.

From their research, Pharming has developed a drug called Rhucin from the rabbit-milk produced C1 inhibitor protein. In September 2009, the company submitted Rhucin for market approval to the European Medicines Agency, which evaluates drug safety. Pending approval, Pharming would begin milking a herd of about a thousand rabbits.

Thoughts

I've covered different aspects of genetics in this blog for some time now, but sometimes I'm not sure where to stand. While using transgenic animals to help humans is good, I can't help but think that our species has survived long enough without these seemingly-drastic measures. Or, are we surviving longer because of methods like this – ones that are common now, but may have been objectionable at first? I'm interested in what the CR4 community thinks, so please share your thoughts in the comments section.

Resources:

http://www.bioprotein.com/gb/faq

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/06/090602-mice-milk-baby-formula.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C1-inhibitor

http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/T/TransgenicAnimals.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/12/091201-rabbits-milk-human-protein-drug.html

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