Did you know: Depending on the size of the individual, there are between 1.5 and 2 million sensory receptors in the skin which are sensitive to pain, pressure (touch) and temperature. These specialized sensory neurons, also called nociceptors, detect painful thermal and mechanical stimulation of the skin and transmit the information to the brain, where it is processed and consciously experienced as pain.
Scientists have altered a gene so that test animals, mice, don't feel pain or temperature as soon as they normally would. What could something like this be used for and is it ethical right to change our genetic makeup?
2 comments:
This could be used for severe burn victims so that they feel less pain during their year-long recovery. It could also be used for firefighters or military personal to feel less pain as to perform their job better. However I feel that could bring about alot of problems. Pain is our body's signal to stop an activity because it is hurting us and now we would not have as good of a warning signal.
I think using this would slow the pain for maybe a light surgery, such as stitches instead of being put out which is very dangerous. However, since we won't be able to feel pain we won't be able to stop and it could cause more harm than good. We wouldn't know when to stop something.
Post a Comment