Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Essay on Religious Tradition of Nirvana in Hinduism and...

The word nirvana is heard pretty often. For example, people might say theyve achieved nirvana when theyre really happy or they might talk about going to nirvana as an eternal reward after death. Then, of course, there’s the rock band who adopted the term Nirvana with a certain amount of irony. Furthermore, the word is fully imbedded in the modern vocabulary. But in reality, to most people in ¬ the Western world, religious nirvana is a total mystery. Both known religious traditions Hinduism and Buddhism focus on liberation from the endless cycle of rebirth and death and the suffering that comes with that cycle – known as samsara. However, there are important distinctions in how the two traditions view this liberation. Many associate†¦show more content†¦On the surface, the Noble Eightfold Path ideals are incredibly vague and theyre open to almost any interpretation. Buddhist sects view them differently, but generally follow the path by approaching the world wi th patience and joy, compassion, and contemplating the universe through meditation. The fundamental goals are to foster meditation (dhyana), morality (shila), and wisdom (prajna). The Buddha traveled all over India and attracted many disciples. After Buddha’s death, 500 of his closest disciples formed a council and created a canon of Buddha’s words. It is believed that the physical appearance of a being has a direct connection to a person’s spiritual attainments. Nirvana is believed to be the final ending of suffering and is a state beyond the cycle of birth and death. Buddhism’s liberation from samsara is known as nirvana which literally means blowing out or extinction, like quenching a flame. In Buddhist teaching, humans are bound to samsara through the flames of anger, ignorance and desire. So when one attains nirvana, one quenches anger (which focuses on the past), ignorance (which focuses on the present) and desire (which focuses on the future). In Buddhism, humans escape life and death by quenching all the anger, ignorance and desire while the physical body may still be alive. This is why Buddhists speak of rebirth rather than reincarnation. Nirvana is

Monday, December 16, 2019

Physician Assisted Suicide And The United States - 1905 Words

Physician-Assisted Suicide in the United States Jacob Lutgen Fort Hays State University Abstract Physician-assisted suicide is a topic that hits home to many people, both in the United States and across the world. Currently, five states have legalized physician-assisted suicide in the United States and it is crucial that every state reconsiders their stance on the issue. Each state needs to look at the pros and cons, as well as the implications of their decision on their stance on physician-assisted suicide. Citizens also have a critical role, as they must tell their legislators their stance on physician-assisted suicide so that the legislators can properly represent their states. This paper looks to show the major arguments for both the groups that support physician-assisted suicide as well as the groups that oppose physician-assisted suicide, while also taking other issues into consideration, such as different pressures legalization of physician-assisted suicide would have on different demographics. Although controversial, physician-assisted suicide laws affect thousands of people across the country annually. Physician-assisted suicide is the process in which a doctor prescribes a lethal dose of medication, usually painkillers or sedatives, to a patient to end their own life (Euthanasia Glossary, 1999; United States, n.d.). In many states in which physician-assisted suicide is legal, the patient must be at least eighteen years old, terminally ill and haveShow MoreRelatedLegalizing Physician Assisted Suicide Across The United States Essay2115 Words   |  9 PagesLegalizing Physician-Assisted Suicide Across the United States Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS) has grown into quite a contentious topic over the years. According to Breitbart and Rosenfeld (1), physician-assisted suicide can be defined as â€Å"a physician providing medications or advice to enable the patient to end his or her own life.† One may find many articles that are written by physicians, pharmacists, patients, and family of patients who receive PAS; from there, it is possible to gain a betterRead MoreShould Physician Assisted Suicide Be Allowed? All Of The United States? Essay1314 Words   |  6 Pages Should Physician Assisted Suicide be allowed in all of the United States? That is the topic I will be discussing in my paper. 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Various forms of medically assisted dying and/or assisted suicide for the terminallyRead MoreAssisted Suicide Should Be Legal Essay1490 Words   |  6 PagesThe process of assisted suicide, or physician-assisted death, is a hotly debated topic that still remains at the forefront of many national discussions today. Assisted suicide can be described as the suicide of patient by a physician-prescribed dose of legal drugs. The reason that this topic is so widely debated is that it infringes on several moral and religious values that many people in the United States have. But, regardless of the way that people feel, a person’s right to live is guaranteedRead MoreAssisted Suicide Is Not Common For All Areas Throughout The United States890 Words   |  4 PagesAssisted Suicide Imagine being diagnosed with a life-ending disease and experiencing such excruciating pain that doctors say cannot be healed. Pain is a terrible thing to experience, especially when it is permanent. What can be done to relieve that pain? What if the only option to rid the pain from the patient is death? No one knows how that feels until it happens to them, that is why assisted suicide is used. Assisted suicide is a practice throughout most of the United States that terminatesRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide : Controversial Healthcare And Political Realms Alike1218 Words   |  5 Pages Physician-Assisted Suicide Elissa Munoz-Tucker University of Arizona Abstract Physician-assisted suicide is controversial in healthcare and political realms alike. Currently, this end-of-life option is practiced in five states within the United States. Social concerns regarding assisted suicide revolve around ethical quandaries; providing the means to a patient’s death is contradictory to ethical principles of healthcare providers. Political concerns surroundingRead MorePhysician Assisted Suicide And Voluntary Euthanasia1348 Words   |  6 PagesPhysician-assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia is still under scrutiny for a number of reasons. â€Å"In spring, 1996, the Ninth and Second Circuits were the first circuit courts in the country to find a constitutional prohibition against laws which make physician-assisted suicide a crime† (Martyn Bourguignon, 1997). New York was one of the states that followed this prohibition. Eventually, The Ninth and Second Circuit, â€Å"allow physician-assisted suicide while attempting to protect individuals fromRead MoreThe Ethics Of Assisted Suicide1526 Words   |  7 PagesAbstract Physician assisted suicide, otherwise noted as â€Å"PAS,† has existed for many years, however has made a controversial appearance in legislation recently. Patients’ and their end of life decisions have shaped the way PAS has been portrayed today. Nurses play an important role in the everyday life of transitioning patients, which places them at the forefront of assisted suicide. Nurses must have clear and defined rules when it applies to assisted suicide, and what they can do if thisRead MoreEthical Considerations in Dealing with Changes in the Healthcare System929 Words   |  4 Pagescontroversial discussion is the subject of physician-assisted suicide. Physician-assisted suicide is described as the act in which a physician provides the means necessary for the client to perform the act of suicide. The issue of physician-assisted suicide is viewed through many different perspectives. The topic of physician-assisted suicide has been debated since the development of medicine. Physician-assisted suicide was first legalized in the United States in Oregon in 1997. (Lachman, 2010). TheRead MoreShould Physician Assisted Suicide Be Legal?847 Words   |  4 PagesShould-Physician Assisted Suicide Be Legal In Every State When it comes to the topic of, should physician-assisted suicide be legal in every state, most of us will readily agree that it should be up to a terminally ill person to make that decision. Whereas some are convinced that it is inhumane, others maintain that it is a person’s decision to end their own life. I agree that physician-assisted suicide should be legal in every state because in most cases, people that are terminally ill should have

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Professional Career Development Meticulous Standards

Question: Describe about the Professional Career Development for Meticulous Standards. Answer: Critical Thinking: As per Autio et al. (2014), critical think presupposes approval of meticulous standards of superiority. Critical thinking helps in reflection, planning and analysis of the any critical situation. On easy note, it can be said critical thinking is the ability of an individual to scrutinize the way of thinking. The Moreover, it also facilitates incorporation of the evidences, one can represent as the justification of his idea. Critical thinking is important for the clear and rationale understanding of any activity (Shipton et al. 2016). Critical thinking can work as an asset for the career of a person as it does not restrict the domain of thinking to a particular section. Critical thinking actually evaluates arguments and counterarguments systematically to obtain the most appropriate outcome from any task. As critical analysis results in development of the skill and attitudes it will help to assess the importance of any activity and will relate to the core meaning of the task. Hence, I would like to think critically when there is any crisis regarding the management of the organization. It is difficult to satisfy every requirements and demands of both the customer and authorities in the hospitality industry. I will imply the positivity of critical thinking where my action will fulfill the demand of the customer without violating any prospects of the company. My learning style has developed through the course as it has helped to think in an emphasized way, synthesizing the aspects of the situation. My capability of decision making has been improved. I have become potential in case of resolving any critical situation. Hospitality industry demands continuous responsive and communicative approach towards the clients (Lin et al. 2013); that is why I have focused on the improvement of my communication skill throughout the learning program. I am capable of critical thinking and I have applied it in a context of conflict management. For an instance, during my internship, there was an issue regarding the product quality of an edible item and customer satisfaction; I was supposed to handle the crisis. To resolve the complication, I made a decision to give the customer a privilege of having the food first and later paying the charge for the product (which is not allowed in the organization). As I was sure about the quality of the product I made this critical decision to achieve the loyalty of the customer by satisfying him with the service. Management of career: Management of career is the foundation for any profession as it will help to focus on the future prospect of the profession. Moreover, it will prohibit an individual from losing the sight of the career. There are few steps that can help one to manage the path of the career. First step is to set the clear goal about the career. Page (2014), mentioned that, it is essential for a person to have an idea about the requirement; he wants to set in as his career ambition. Next is the potentiality of thinking differently. Having innovative ideas enhances the creativity quotient of a person that in turns helps in obtaining of the better options to grow in career. Another important aspect for the career management is to get in touch with apt communication system that is career oriented and helps to focus on the career path along with motivating people to improve the personality, knowledge and skill. Edison, Bin Ali and Torkar (2013), suggested that evaluation of the purpose of the profession and reevaluation of the career accordingly to the changed situation is necessary to stay in the competition. Management of the career requires additional effort and time so that analysis of the activities, that have already done, can be revised as well as it allows taking lesson for the improvement of the quality for the further activities in future. This step shapes the career path with the help of its analytical approach. There are no points of argument that internet and online activities have made the every service easier and accessible to the mass. In hospitality industry where interactive behavioral approach is integrated part of an organization to establish its recognition and brand value in the market, online presentation should be done in such a way that attracts maximum audience. It is important to curate the specialties of a particular organization that visualize interesting facts and uniqueness of that particular organization (Camisn and Villar-Lpez 2014). I will gather knowledge about the details for an organization before presenting its features online. I will attempt to represent the company in a way that it will allow clients to understand the services and facilities easily without confusing them. Moreover, I would like to revise my online presence as this approach is only to hold an uninterrupted connection with the clients and service users. It is important to be available while the cus tomer requires the service. I must not consider personal activities during the working schedule to avoid the breaching with the policies and regulation of the company. Self-motivation: Self-motivation is the intrinsic stimulator that drives an individual to stand up to the expectation and requirement (Goetsch and Davis 2014). The main significance of self-motivation is it pushes an individual without involving any external factors to achieve his goals. Self-motivation is the positive aspect of oneself that concerns with the improvement of the skill, knowledge and potential for that particular person. It involves the hope and optimism that energize an individual to pursue his goals in life. Moreover, Mowday, Porter and Steers (2013), mentioned that self-motivation is the factor that made an individual spontaneous towards any opportunity. A task can be completed within limited resource and help by an individual who is passionate and self-motivated enough to complete the task by any means. On an addition, self-motivated people require less management comparing to the people with unclear focus about their career and goals. Apart from that, an employee can be committed to the organization and produce efficiently if he is driven by the self-motivation. Aims can be changed time to time; however, motivation is the ultimate element that makes a person to keep on going to meet his agenda. According to, Ulrich (2013), self-motivated people are not easily influenced by the opinions of others; they only follow the path that leads them to their aims. I am self motivated. I feel motivated when I revise all the positive side of my characteristics. Moreover, I am determined to complete any task, that I have been allocated. If there are any obstacles in the path of my goal, I would deal with it allowing proper analysis of the situation and forward with best possible solution rather just surrendering to the odds. Moreover, any external factors like opinions and judgmental remarks from others do not influence as long as I am aware of my activity and justified purpose behind this. To place an instance I can say that I can start a project or a task without taking any direction from others as I always look forward to complete any task with implementation of innovative ideas. Another important aspect that I always maintain during any work is discipline. Discipline and creativity are the consequence of ones self motivation that shapes the demand and requirement of a person. Moreover, I contribute all my effort and dedication within a task to complete it within expected time and fulfilling all the requirements. Creative thinking and its importance: Creative thinking involves the capability of generation new ideas that can bring uniqueness to any task. Hu et al. (2012), mentioned that, creative thinking involves fresh insight into a problem so that unorthodox suggestion can be obtained. Moreover, both the structured and unstructured factors can influence the creative thinking. Brainstorming and lateral thinking are two components that stimulate creative thinking (Wang, Tsai and Tsai 2014). In the present scenario, both the social and economic situation fluctuates frequently. There are also technological sophistication that has changed the organizational set up along with the requirements and demands. Hence, creativity is required to counter any competition as well as to increase the market value for any organization. Landy and Conte (2016), mentioned that renewal of the strategy and adaption to the new situation is facilitated by the creativity of the thinking. Creativity in the service, products and working approach is the ulti mate way to gain the long term and stable outcome from the growing competition. Hospitality industry is no difference in this context. In this industry market competition has been intensified over years as well as complication and uncertainties have also been increased gradually. Hon, Bloom and Crant (2014), mentioned that, creativity in thinking and implementation of the planning does not only impact the performance of an organization it also influence the survival of the company in the critical social, political and economic condition. If a company fails to innovate new ideas and strategies to hold the market share the existence of the company can come under question. In hospitality industry companies always try to come up with new service, packages and products; hence to counter these strategies creativity in the organizational planning and its implement is necessary (Schaufeli and Taris 2014). I would like to put my creative thinking to enhance the quality of the service without affecting the costing and other expenses of the organization. Transferable skills and Analysis of strength and weakness: Transferable skills can be defined as the ability to flow the skill across different areas of operation (Korschun, Bhattacharya and Swain 2014). It involves rapid action on a particular situation; thus, shifting of the strategies and implementation of the procedures from other task is required here. An individual must give quick and active response to a situation that is different from the one; the person is currently involved de (Arajo Burcharth, Knudsen and Sndergaard, 2014). Transferable skills may also include coordination of the skills and knowledge required for two different tasks. Transferable skills are effective when organized and composed behavioral approach is required. Analysis of the strength and weakness of an individual is pivotal for the assessment of the potentiality along with the identification of the areas, those a person is required to develop. As per my concern one of my strong point is I am self-motivated; intrinsic drive from within helps me to continue my task until the accomplishment. Moreover, I have the capability to think creatively. I am potential of the critical thinking when there is requirement of the analysis of the situation and taking a valid decision. Having the adequate knowledge on the task is important; that is why I try to gather maximum and minute details about any activity prior to the performance. I am flexible with the co-workers when there is team-work needed. I respect the opinion of the others and try to form a decision by compacting it allowing consideration of others point of view. However, there are some weak points that I need to improve. The first one is the communication. I need to develop a communication s kill that is effective; moreover, it is required to obtain the most functional outcome from the communicative approach. In hospitality industry interactive communication is essential as this industry requires direct interaction with the clients. I need to modify the approach to others so that an image can be obtained that supportive, helping and always available for the clients. There are certain qualities that an employer searches for, in an employee. One of the important components is the setting of a goal for the career. The employee must have the idea on what he does want to do in career and how can he achieve it. Moreover, employers also search for an employee who is consistent on his work. Candidates who are responsible and can stand up on the commitment will get priority over others (Yidong and Xinxin 2013). Other components are positive attitude of a person that can influence the productivity of an organization. Hence, employers search for the employees with positive energy that can also be influential for the other employees in an organization. Furthermore, self-motivation is another component that is required to increase the efficiency of a company. As mentioned by, Findlay, Kalleberg and Warhurst (2013), employers like employees where they have to invest fewer amounts of energy and effort for the management of them. People with self-motivation nee d less direction from and assistance and can complete the task in a complicated situation. Candidates must be flexible and adaptive so that they can work successfully in any situation. During any crisis company requires the employees to act accordingly; moreover, in this regard the critical thinking is important. Innovative ideas and ability to critically analysis the situation are two common attributes that are mostly demanded by the employees. Co-operation and its significance in hospitality: Hospitality industry requires cooperative approach as this sector involves various operational components. To make an integrated system across an organization staffs must work in a cooperative manner. Ability to work in a team is another attribute that employees search in an employee. Incapability to work cooperatively can increase conflicts in an organization. Therefore, it is required to obtain a collaborative approach for an employee so that conflict management can be done easily. Furthermore, communication is important aspect for this industry. To hold functional and effective communication employees must work in a united approach. Supportive behavior to each other is required by the employees. Dries et al. (2014), mentioned that cooperation among team helps to suppress ones weakness and obtain successful team performance. To make the service successful cooperation is essential. To obtain the customer satisfaction cooperative management is required among employees. Apart from that, both the quality and quantity of a task depends on the cooperative management of the staffs of an organization. Employers also supervise the quality of cooperative approach in employees. Thus, it is an important factor that can influence the career objectives of an employee. Moreover, cooperation among the employees can be facilitative to complete any task within time. Carnevale and Smith (2013), mentioned that cooperation among the employees can help to accomplish any task with available resources. Accommodation of knowledge and skill regarding any task is increased by the cooperative mentality among the team members. Innovation is an important part that is required for the development and growth of the company; collaboration encourages new ideas from team workers and helps to obtain creative steps to fulfill the requiremen t. Moreover, cooperative approach towards holding an innovative strategy can help an organization to sustain the market in competitive business scenario. Quality of the task can be improvised while employees are putting the efforts cooperatively. The mandatory question: I can contribute to the success of the company and enhance the quality of the service as I am capable of critical analysis. I can be a part of the extended organizational structure as have the potentiality to think creatively for the sake of good and success of the business. Reference List: Autio, E., Kenney, M., Mustar, P., Siegel, D. and Wright, M., 2014. Entrepreneurial innovation: The importance of context.Research Policy,43(7), pp.1097-1108. Camisn, C. and Villar-Lpez, A., 2014. Organizational innovation as an enabler of technological innovation capabilities and firm performance.Journal of Business Research,67(1), pp.2891-2902. Carnevale, A.P. and Smith, N., 2013. Workplace basics: The skills employees need and employers want.Human Resource Development International,16(5), pp.491-501. de Arajo Burcharth, A.L., Knudsen, M.P. and Sndergaard, H.A., 2014. Neither invented nor shared here: The impact and management of attitudes for the adoption of open innovation practices.Technovation,34(3), pp.149-161. Dries, N., Forrier, A., De Vos, A. and Pepermans, R., 2014. Self-perceived employability, organization-rated potential, and the psychological contract.Journal of Managerial Psychology,29(5), pp.565-581. Edison, H., Bin Ali, N. and Torkar, R., 2013. Towards innovation measurement in the software industry.Journal of Systems and Software,86(5), pp.1390-1407. Findlay, P., Kalleberg, A.L. and Warhurst, C., 2013. The challenge of job quality.Human Relations,66(4), pp.441-451. Goetsch, D.L. and Davis, S.B., 2014.Quality management for organizational excellence. pearson. Hon, A.H., Bloom, M. and Crant, J.M., 2014. Overcoming resistance to change and enhancing creative performance.Journal of Management,40(3), pp.919-941. Hu, Q., Dinev, T., Hart, P. and Cooke, D., 2012. Managing employee compliance with information security policies: The critical role of top management and organizational culture.Decision Sciences,43(4), pp.615-660. Korschun, D., Bhattacharya, C.B. and Swain, S.D., 2014. Corporate social responsibility, customer orientation, and the job performance of frontline employees.Journal of Marketing,78(3), pp.20-37. Lamba, S. and Choudhary, N., 2013. Impact of HRM practices on organizational commitment of employees.International Journal of Advancements in Research Technology,2(4), pp.407-423. Landy, F.J. and Conte, J.M., 2016.Work in the 21st Century, Binder Ready Version: An Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology. John Wiley Sons. Lin, H.E., McDonough, E.F., Lin, S.J. and Lin, C.Y.Y., 2013. Managing the exploitation/exploration paradox: The role of a learning capability and innovation ambidexterity.Journal of Product Innovation Management,30(2), pp.262-278. Mowday, R.T., Porter, L.W. and Steers, R.M., 2013.Employeeorganization linkages: The psychology of commitment, absenteeism, and turnover. Academic press. Page, T., 2014. Notions of innovation in healthcare services and products. International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development,8(3), pp.217-231. Schaufeli, W.B. and Taris, T.W., 2014. A critical review of the Job Demands-Resources Model: Implications for improving work and health. InBridging occupational, organizational and public health(pp. 43-68). Springer Netherlands. Shipton, H., Budhwar, P., Sparrow, P. and Brown, A., 2016. Human resource management, innovation and performance: looking across levels. InHuman Resource Management, Innovation and Performance(pp. 1-12). Palgrave Macmillan UK. Ulrich, D., 2013.Human resource champions: The next agenda for adding value and delivering results. Harvard Business Press. Wang, C.J., Tsai, H.T. and Tsai, M.T., 2014. Linking transformational leadership and employee creativity in the hospitality industry: The influences of creative role identity, creative self-efficacy, and job complexity.Tourism Management,40, pp.79-89. Yidong, T. and Xinxin, L., 2013. How ethical leadership influence employees innovative work behavior: A perspective of intrinsic motivation.Journal of Business Ethics,116(2), pp.441-455.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

The Effects Of HIV Mutations On The Immune System Science C.J. Stimson

The Effects of HIV Mutations on the Immune System Science C.J. Stimson INTRODUCTION The topic of this paper is the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, and whether or not mutations undergone by the virus allow it to survive in the immune system. The cost of treating all persons with AIDS in 1993 in the United States was $7.8 billion, and it is estimated that 20,000 new cases of AIDS are reported every 3 months to the CDC. This question dealing with how HIV survives in the immune system is of critical importance, not only in the search for a cure for the virus and its inevitable syndrome, AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), but also so that over 500,000 Americans already infected with the virus could be saved. This is possible because if we know that HIV survives through mutations then we might be able to come up with a type of drug to retard these mutations allowing the immune system time to expunge it before the onset of AIDS. BACKGROUND In order to be able to fully comprehend and analyze this question we must first ascertain what HIV is, how the body attempts to counter the effects of viruses in general, and how HIV infects the body. Definition HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV is classified as a RNA Retrovirus. A retrovirus uses RNA templates to produce DNA. For example, within the core of HIV is a double molecule of ribonucleic acid, RNA. When the virus invades a cell, this genetic material is replicated in the form of DNA . But, in order to do so, HIV must first be able to produce a particular enzyme that can construct a DNA molecule using an RNA template. This enzyme, called RNA-directed DNA polymerase, is also referred to as reverse transcriptase because it reverses the normal cellular process of transcription. The DNA molecules produced by reverse transcription are then inserted into the genetic material of the host cell, where they are co-replicated with the host's chromosomes; they are thereby distributed to all daughte r cells during subsequent cell divisions. Then in one or more of these daughter cells, the virus produces RNA copies of its genetic material. These new HIV clones become covered with protein coats and leave the cell to find other host cells where they can repeat the life cycle. The Body Fights Back As viruses begin to invade the body, a few are consumed by macrophages, which seize their antigens and display them on their own surfaces. Among millions of helper T cells circulating in the bloodstream, a select few are programmed to ?read? that antigen. Binding the macrophage, the T cell becomes activated. Once activated, helper T cells begin to multiply. They then stimulate the multiplication of those few killer T cells and B cells that are sensitive to the invading viruses. As the number of B cells increases, helper T cells signal them to start producing antibodies. Meanwhile, some of the viruses have entered cells of the body - the only place they are able to replicate. Killer T cells will sacrifice these cells by chemically puncturing their membranes, letting the contents spill out, thus disrupting the viral replication cycle. Antibodies then neutralize the viruses by binding directly to their surfaces, preventing them from attacking other cells. Additionally, they precipitate chemical reactions that actually destroy the infected cells. As the infection is contained, suppresser T cells halt the entire range of immune responses, preventing them from spiraling out of control. Memory T and B cells are left in the blood and lymphatic system, ready to move quickly should the same virus once again invade the body. HIV's Life Cycle In the initial stage of HIV infection, the virus colonizes helper T cells, specifically CD4+ cells, and macrophages, while replicating itself relatively unnoticed. As the amount of the virus soars, the number of helper cells falls; macrophages die as well. The infected T cells perish as thousands of new viral particles erupt from t he cell membrane. Soon, though, cytotoxic T and B lymphocytes kill many virus-infected cells and viral particles. These effects limit viral growth and allow the body an opportunity to temporarily restore its supply of helper cells to The Effects Of HIV Mutations On The Immune System Science C.J. Stimson The Effects of HIV Mutations on the Immune System Science C.J. Stimson INTRODUCTION The topic of this paper is the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, and whether or not mutations undergone by the virus allow it to survive in the immune system. The cost of treating all persons with AIDS in 1993 in the United States was $7.8 billion, and it is estimated that 20,000 new cases of AIDS are reported every 3 months to the CDC. This question dealing with how HIV survives in the immune system is of critical importance, not only in the search for a cure for the virus and its inevitable syndrome, AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), but also so that over 500,000 Americans already infected with the virus could be saved. This is possible because if we know that HIV survives through mutations then we might be able to come up with a type of drug to retard these mutations allowing the immune system time to expunge it before the onset of AIDS. BACKGROUND In order to be able to fully comprehend and analyze this question we must first ascertain what HIV is, how the body attempts to counter the effects of viruses in general, and how HIV infects the body. Definition HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV is classified as a RNA Retrovirus. A retrovirus uses RNA templates to produce DNA. For example, within the core of HIV is a double molecule of ribonucleic acid, RNA. When the virus invades a cell, this genetic material is replicated in the form of DNA . But, in order to do so, HIV must first be able to produce a particular enzyme that can construct a DNA molecule using an RNA template. This enzyme, called RNA-directed DNA polymerase, is also referred to as reverse transcriptase because it reverses the normal cellular process of transcription. The DNA molecules produced by reverse transcription are then inserted into the genetic material of the host cell, where they are co-replicated with the host's chromosomes; they are thereby distributed to all daughte r cells during subsequent cell divisions. Then in one or more of these daughter cells, the virus produces RNA copies of its genetic material. These new HIV clones become covered with protein coats and leave the cell to find other host cells where they can repeat the life cycle. The Body Fights Back As viruses begin to invade the body, a few are consumed by macrophages, which seize their antigens and display them on their own surfaces. Among millions of helper T cells circulating in the bloodstream, a select few are programmed to ?read? that antigen. Binding the macrophage, the T cell becomes activated. Once activated, helper T cells begin to multiply. They then stimulate the multiplication of those few killer T cells and B cells that are sensitive to the invading viruses. As the number of B cells increases, helper T cells signal them to start producing antibodies. Meanwhile, some of the viruses have entered cells of the body - the only place they are able to replicate. Killer T cells will sacrifice these cells by chemically puncturing their membranes, letting the contents spill out, thus disrupting the viral replication cycle. Antibodies then neutralize the viruses by binding directly to their surfaces, preventing them from attacking other cells. Additionally, they precipitate chemical reactions that actually destroy the infected cells. As the infection is contained, suppresser T cells halt the entire range of immune responses, preventing them from spiraling out of control. Memory T and B cells are left in the blood and lymphatic system, ready to move quickly should the same virus once again invade the body. HIV's Life Cycle In the initial stage of HIV infection, the virus colonizes helper T cells, specifically CD4+ cells, and macrophages, while replicating itself relatively unnoticed. As the amount of the virus soars, the number of helper cells falls; macrophages die as well. The infected T cells perish as thousands of new viral particles erupt from t he cell membrane. Soon, though, cytotoxic T and B lymphocytes kill many virus-infected cells and viral particles. These effects limit viral growth and allow the body an opportunity to temporarily restore its supply of helper cells to