Nami Lee

AP Human Geography/ H. English 12

Henderlong 01/ Roy 02
Argumentative Essay

Ethics in Science
The vast advances in science have helped dietary experts and the general
public to understand more and more about our food and vast diets. One specific
study has recently helped us to understand minor contributing factors of allergies
on a literal and chemical level. In a recently released article, it was stated by
Cathryn Nagler "It's exciting because we know what the ______ are; we have a way
to intervene," There are 4 questions that Im sure any parent or allergy prone
person would automatically think of after seeing an article like this: What is it that
causes my or my childs allergy?, If intervening is possible what can be done?,
Who/What will be tested under these intervening methods? , and Are these
testing situations safe, ethical, etc.?. One of the key ideals this essay will convey is
the ethics in tampering with predetermined conditions and the lengths at which
science travels to reverse them.
In the same article as previously stated above, which is titled Gut bacteria
discovery could lead to probiotic therapy for food allergies, its stated Although the
causes of food allergies and the reason they have become more prevalent in
recent years remain unknown, there are many theories. One leading theory is that
modern hygiene, diet and use of antibiotics and antimicrobials act to disturb the
body's natural bacterial composition. (Quick, 2). The quote clarifies that although
there is not a definite cause associated with allergies- but theories instead. For

many this is an immediate turn off concerning the article. Standing in the shoes of a
person who has allergies (and probably a parent of a child with allergies); there is a
certain yearning for a definite answer when it comes to an allergic reaction that is
fairly uncomfortable or even deadly. No one wants a theory on something that could
or could not impede harm or potentially kill them- its unacceptable! Science needs
to prove to the general public that the interest, time, and funds are producing actual
results and outcomes.
In a different article, the writer explains The presence of a common gut
microbe called Clostridia protects mice against peanut sensitization by keeping the
allergens from entering their bloodstream, according to findings published in
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week. (Fang, 1). Although
the article failed to state that Clostridium is indeed present in both mice and
humans, it was found that in both body system Clostridia works in a similar fashion
to the chemical present in humans. This stomach chemical reacts with foods that
are familiar and unfamiliar with the consumers body. The familiar foods encounter
this substance and carry out their journey through the body while unfamiliar foods
cause a reaction that can be quite uncomfortable. It was then elaborated To see
how altered micro biota affect immune responses to food, a team led by Cathryn
Nagler from the University of Chicago exposed three groups of mice to peanut
allergens: germ-free mice without any resident bacteria, mice given antibiotics as
newborns to reduce their GI bacteria, and control mice with a normal cohort of GI
bacteria. (Fang, 3). Now, if one were refer back to the four previously asked
inquiries and specially the last question: Are these testing situations safe, ethical,
etc.?. Testing unexhausted theories on mice is ridiculous not to mention it lacks
definite results in humans. In the study, although the method worked it was a study

performed on a species differing from human whose anatomic makeup could easily
have an opposite reaction in a humans body. Theories involving chemicals are
tested, thought to be proven but then are often recalls because these experts see
that their animal trials were in vain because it lacked desired results among
humans.
Referring back to the original question: If intervening is possible what can be
done? , the first article explains the team found that Clostridia prompted innate
immune cells to produce high levels of interleukin-22 (IL-22), which is a signaling
molecule known to decrease permeability of the intestinal lining. (Quick, 5). This
explanation offers that there is correlation between these two chemicals concern
food allergy reaction and when used together can curve or even eliminate the
reaction all together. IL-22 is a chemical that is also heavily associated with the
proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties of asthma. Published in the
Journal of Allergy Volume 2013, its indicated Recently, we and others have
explored the roles of IL-22 in the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation and
have shown that IL-22 expression is induced in the lung of antigen-sensitized mice
upon antigen inhalation (Hirose, Takahashi, and Nakajima, 2). It is very important
for dietary experts to give parents and individuals with allergies the relief of not
having to worry about flare ups with existing asthma or developing asthmatics with
the use of this combination. Its probably safe to say that no one wants to tamper
with a situation like this in attempts to make it better but instead making it
progressively worst.
"There are of course no guarantees, but this is absolutely testable as a
therapeutic against a disease for which there's nothing. As a mom, I can imagine
how frightening it must be to worry every time your child takes a bite of food."

(Quick, 9). The reoccurring theme that science cannot tell consumers definite
answers although the public can see the good intentions held within these ideals.
Toward the closing of the third article, Mary Jane Marchisotto, senior vice president
of research at Food Allergy Research & Education had this to say Food allergies
affect 15 million Americans, including one in 13 children, who live with this
potentially life-threatening disease that currently has no cure," (Stefka, 11). This
selection helps readers to understand that allergies like life-threatening diseases
may just be a thing that we have to work with overtime. The statement gives a
factual background while firmly stating that there still lies no defined for food
allergies- only possibilities.
Although science has lead the human race to a fairly proficient understanding
of the occurrences concerning one species, the public is still fairly trapped in the
dark when it comes to allergies in humans and known process of how to reverse it.
Science gives all of humanity a hope of understanding. In this field brave people are
able to test and prove theories of exhausted and unexhausted natures but the
question is left for each person to individually answer. Is tampering with
predetermined conditions (that do not necessarily have to be a bad thing) ethical?

Bibliography
Fang, Janet. "The Gut Microbe That Protects Against Peanut Allergies." The Gut
Microbe That Protects Against Peanut Allergies. N.p., 27 Aug. 2014. Web. 09
Mar. 2015.
Nakajima, Hiroshi, Kentaro Takahashi, and Koichi Hirose. "Roles of IL-22." Roles of IL22 in Allergic Airway Inflammation. Creative Commons Attribution, 2013.
Web. 08 Mar. 2015.
Quick, Darren. "Gut Bacteria Discovery Could Lead to Probiotic Therapy for Food
Allergies." Gut Bacteria Discovery Could Lead to Probiotic Therapy for Food
Allergies. University of Chicago Medicine, 31 Aug. 2014. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.
University of Chicago Medical Center. "Gut bacteria that protect against food
allergies identified." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 August 2014.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140825152016.htm>.