Commenting on two classmates discussions about Science and Diversity

In response to your peers, provide feedback about their news story and describe the value of the scientific lens for understanding diversity.

Classmate # 1 Kati

CBS News aired a story on August 3rd, 2019 titled “How mosquitoes killed billions – and helped win the American Revolution” (CBS, 2019). The story revealed studies of female mosquitoes and their ability to transmit infection, killing what is thought to be 50 billion people during human existence (CBS, 2019). The story goes on to discuss yellow fever and malaria and how those mosquito-borne diseases factored into our world history and how DDT was a weapon to defend against mosquitoes until it was discontinued as it was discovered to be an environmental pollutant and had possible links to cancer (CBS, 2019). The ultimate goal of this research is to reduce the amount of threat from mosquitoes and reduce or eradicate the diseases they transmit. This story relates to diversity by allowing us to look through the history and natural science lenses and gives us information from history that can help us better understand why historical events happened. This is also important to allow us to change our future as a society and potentially reduce the amount of deaths caused by mosquito-borne diseases.

Classmate # 2 Megan

In recent news, there has been much controversy over the dangers of known vaping products. These products have been extremely popular amongst the younger population, being linked to mysterious lung diseases that have been occurring in otherwise healthy young individuals and have even ended fatally. The article from ABC news titled Marijuana vape sales lag as lung illnesses rise in US reports “The ailment has sickened at least 805 people and killed 13. Some vaped nicotine, but many reported using oil containing THC, marijuana’s high-inducing ingredient, and said they bought products from pop-up shops and other illegal sellers,” (Flaccus & Peltez, 2019). Massachusetts even issued a public health emergency announcement due to severe diseases associated with e-cigarettes and vaping products amongst the youth. As of September 11, 2019, Massachusetts issues a four month ban on all vape sales. The news article also states, “In roughly two years, they grew from a small fraction of overall sales to about one-third, with $9.6 billion in sales between 2017 and 2019, according to New Frontier Data, an economic analysis firm that tracks the industry,” (Flaccus & Peltez, 2019). Although no vaping products or ingredients have been linked to these illnesses, they all have one common factors; the use of vaping products. Doctors state the illnesses resemble inhalation injury, reacting to a caustic substance.

The sales of vaping products have been linked directly to the younger population, affecting all races and backgrounds. Something that is not mentioned in the study is the effects vaping products have had on adults as well as the youth. Although these products are more common in the younger population, many adults have also been consuming these products but are not talked about in any ongoing studies or in the media.

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