Eradicating a species
Discussion
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15182237
The UK government is backing a new campaign to try to rid the world of guinea worm by 2015.
There were almost 2,000 cases of the debilitating parasitic disease in Africa last year.
The push to eradicate guinea worm has been led by The Carter Center - set up by the former US president, Jimmy Carter - since 1986.
The Department for International Development (DfID) is ready to donate £20m to the drive.
It's thought this will fill about a third of the funding gap. Ministers are now calling for other donors to make significant contributions.
Although it doesn't usually kill, guinea worm causes agonising pain and leaves some sufferers bed-ridden after they contract it by drinking contaminated water.
Months after drinking the water, a metre-long spaghetti-like worm emerges from the patient's body through a blister in the skin.
Perpetual cycle
The worm ejects many thousands of larvae if it comes into contact with water - perpetuating a cycle of disease.
There is no cure or vaccine, so the UK aid money will be used by the Carter Center to help train people in tracking outbreaks and using cloths to filter drinking water.
Last year, there were 1,797 cases of guinea worm in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Mali and Chad.
Nigeria, Niger and Ghana have succeeded in recent efforts to wipe out the disease.
When the Carter Center began its work on guinea worm 25 years ago, there were about 3.5m cases in 21 countries in Africa and Asia.
Mr Carter said: "Guinea worm has horrendous consequences for sufferers in terms of their immediate health, and their education and employment.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
President Carter's commitment has brought guinea worm to the brink of eradication.”
End Quote
Stephen O'Brien
International development minister
"It prevents people from escaping poverty.
"I welcome the challenge laid down by the British government. I call on other donors to match their efforts."
If the campaign succeeds, it will be the first time a disease has been wiped out through education - rather than the use of a vaccine or medicine.
The international development minister, Stephen O'Brien, said: "President Carter's commitment has brought guinea worm to the brink of eradication.
"It has never been a question of if we can rid the world of this ancient disease - but when."
The UK government is backing a new campaign to try to rid the world of guinea worm by 2015.
There were almost 2,000 cases of the debilitating parasitic disease in Africa last year.
The push to eradicate guinea worm has been led by The Carter Center - set up by the former US president, Jimmy Carter - since 1986.
The Department for International Development (DfID) is ready to donate £20m to the drive.
It's thought this will fill about a third of the funding gap. Ministers are now calling for other donors to make significant contributions.
Although it doesn't usually kill, guinea worm causes agonising pain and leaves some sufferers bed-ridden after they contract it by drinking contaminated water.
Months after drinking the water, a metre-long spaghetti-like worm emerges from the patient's body through a blister in the skin.
Perpetual cycle
The worm ejects many thousands of larvae if it comes into contact with water - perpetuating a cycle of disease.
There is no cure or vaccine, so the UK aid money will be used by the Carter Center to help train people in tracking outbreaks and using cloths to filter drinking water.
Last year, there were 1,797 cases of guinea worm in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Mali and Chad.
Nigeria, Niger and Ghana have succeeded in recent efforts to wipe out the disease.
When the Carter Center began its work on guinea worm 25 years ago, there were about 3.5m cases in 21 countries in Africa and Asia.
Mr Carter said: "Guinea worm has horrendous consequences for sufferers in terms of their immediate health, and their education and employment.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
President Carter's commitment has brought guinea worm to the brink of eradication.”
End Quote
Stephen O'Brien
International development minister
"It prevents people from escaping poverty.
"I welcome the challenge laid down by the British government. I call on other donors to match their efforts."
If the campaign succeeds, it will be the first time a disease has been wiped out through education - rather than the use of a vaccine or medicine.
The international development minister, Stephen O'Brien, said: "President Carter's commitment has brought guinea worm to the brink of eradication.
"It has never been a question of if we can rid the world of this ancient disease - but when."
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Happy82 said:
I know that it's obviously not the nicest species on the planet, however when we're 'protecting' certain species (usually fluffy and cute until they eat you) that are failing to adapt to the modern world from extinction, is it right that we're going to attempt to eradicate another that has adapted?
It is wrong simply because we do not know what impact it may have on the eco-system.Man has a long history of being an arrogant f***wit and interfering with nature, it doesn't often end all that well. At some stage maybe we will learn.
s. 
Happy82 said:
I know that it's obviously not the nicest species on the planet, however when we're 'protecting' certain species (usually fluffy and cute until they eat you) that are failing to adapt to the modern world from extinction, is it right that we're going to attempt to eradicate another that has adapted?
Yes.Before I join this pseudo-intellectual debate: the 'let's not interfere with nature' crowd have all determined this isn't as inconsequential as the experts who have clearly determined it is, think, haven't they? And are probably linking to evidence as we speak. It's just, I'd imagine that would be a barrer to entry before you can even begin to argue against a process that saves people from the debilitation the parasite causes.
(Yes, I'm aware only one person has taken this stance so far. But just you watch...)
(Yes, I'm aware only one person has taken this stance so far. But just you watch...)
odyssey2200 said:
Elroy Blue said:
£20 million.
Thats's £1 million for the battle and £19 million for advisors and private jets.
Perhaps they'd like to fund cancer drugs in this country. Or fund our air ambulances. All of which would save lives in THIS country.
^^^^^ thisThats's £1 million for the battle and £19 million for advisors and private jets.
Perhaps they'd like to fund cancer drugs in this country. Or fund our air ambulances. All of which would save lives in THIS country.
MX7 said:
Happy82 said:
I know that it's obviously not the nicest species on the planet, however when we're 'protecting' certain species (usually fluffy and cute until they eat you) that are failing to adapt to the modern world from extinction, is it right that we're going to attempt to eradicate another that has adapted?
Yes.and pigeons...
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