and “How can I Know?”
Science and Religion, in fact part ways over the first question, what each can know. Religion and to some extent philosophy, believes it can know, or at least address the question “why?” For example, religion answers to this question ultimately comes down to the way God ordered it. Religion is inherently conservative; even one proposing a new God creates a New order. The question “why” is too deep for science. Science believes it can only learn “how something occurs.”
Indeed, methodology matters more than anything else, methodology subsumes, for example, Thomas Kuhn’s well-known theory of how science advances. Kuhn gave the word “paradigm” wide usage by arguing that at any given point in time a particular paradigm.
A kind of perceived truth will dominate the thinking in any science. According to Kuhn, the prevailing tends to freeze progress, indirectly by creating a mental obstacle to creative ideas and directly blocking research from going to truly new ideas, especially if they conflict with the paradigm theory.
Thomas Samuel Kuhn (/kuːn/; July 18, 1922 – June 17, 1996) was an American historian and philosopher of science whose 1962 book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions was influential in both academic and popular circles, introducing the term paradigm shift, which has since become an English-language idiom.
Thomas Kuhn made several claims concerning the progress of scientific knowledge: that scientific fields undergo periodic “paradigm shifts” rather than solely progressing in a linear and continuous way, and that these paradigm shifts open up new approaches to understanding what scientists would never have considered valid before; and that the notion of scientific truth, at any given moment, cannot be established solely by objective criteria but is defined by a consensus of a scientific community. Competing paradigms are frequently incommensurable; that is, they are competing and irreconcilable accounts of reality. Thus, our comprehension of science can never rely wholly upon “objectivity” alone. Science must account for subjective perspectives as well, since all objective conclusions are ultimately founded upon the subjective conditioning/worldview of its researchers and participants.
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (SSR) was originally printed as an article in the International Encyclopedia of Unified Science, published by the logical positivists of the Vienna Circle. In this book, heavily influenced by the fundamental work of Ludwik Fleck, Kuhn argued that science does not progress via a linear accumulation of new knowledge, but undergoes periodic revolutions, also called “paradigm shifts” (although he did not coin the phrase, he did contribute to its increase in popularity),[15] in which the nature of scientific inquiry within a particular field is abruptly transformed. In general, science is broken up into three distinct stages. Prescience, which lacks a central paradigm, comes first. This is followed by “normal science“, when scientists attempt to enlarge the central paradigm by “puzzle-solving”.[6]: 35–42 Guided by the paradigm, normal science is extremely productive: “when the paradigm is successful, the profession will have solved problems that its members could scarcely have imagined and would never have undertaken without commitment to the paradigm”.[6]: 24–25
Thomas Kuhn’s theory on paradigm shift
Thomas Kuhn’s theory of scientific revolution
Thomas Kuhn’s theory of scientific change
Galen of Kos – Biography, Facts and Pictures (famous scientists.org)
In medicine, Galen tried expanding upon the work of Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician who was born in the 5th century BC on the island of Kos. He was so influential that many of his works were among the first to be retranslated from Arabic and Greek and printed after the appearance of the printing press. Galen’s influence was profound. Galen points, for example, to the ‘egg’ that statues of Asclepius hold in the hand, 54 symbolizing the earth and the universe, and indicating ‘that the whole world needs medicine’.
Hippocrates of Kos (/hɪˈpɒkrətiːz/; Greek: Ἱπποκράτης ὁ Κῷος, translit.
Hippokrátēs ho Kôios; c. 460 – c. 370 BC), also known as Hippocrates II, was a Greek physician of the classical period who is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine. He is traditionally referred to as the “Father of Medicine” in recognition of his lasting contributions to the field, such as the use of prognosis and clinical observation, the systematic categorization of diseases, or the formulation of humoral theory. The Hippocratic school of medicine revolutionized ancient Greek medicine, establishing it as a discipline distinct from other fields with which it had traditionally been associated (theurgy and philosophy), thus establishing medicine as a profession
For instance, Aelius Galenus or Claudius Galenus[2] (Greek: Κλαύδιος Γαληνός; September 129 – 216 AD), often anglicized as Galen (/ˈɡeɪlən/) or Galen of Pergamon,[3] was a Roman Greek physician, surgeon and philosopher.[4][5][6] Considered to be one of the most accomplished of all medical researchers of antiquity, Galen influenced the development of various scientific disciplines, including anatomy,[7] physiology, pathology,[8] pharmacology,[9] and neurology, as well as philosophy[10] and logic.
Galen’s understanding of anatomy and medicine was principally influenced by the then-current theory of the four humors: black bile, yellow bile, blood, and phlegm, as first advanced by the author of On the Nature of Man in the Hippocratic corpus.[11] Galen’s views dominated and influenced Western medical science for more than 1,300 years. Galen believed that illness was essentially the result of an imbalance in the body. He believed that balance could be restored by intervention; thus a physician would treat a disease successfully.
If there was a [poison in the body] that poison would be removed by evacuation, sweating, urinating and vomiting were all ways to restore balance.
Deep into the nineteenth century, Hippocrates and most of those who followed him also believed that natural processes should not be interfered with.
The various kinds of purging were meant to augment and accelerate natural processes, not resist them.
Steven Rosenberg M.D. PH.D., a Natural Cancer Institute Scientist who was the first person to stimulate the immune system to cure cancer. Led a team that preferred the first human gene therapy treatment experiments, points out that for years chemotherapy was recommended to virtually all victims of pancreatic cancer patients. Even though not a single chemotherapy regime had ever been shown to prolong their lives for one day.
Frederick Gates not related to Bill Gates, pointed out that in the book The New Testament to Homeopathic Medicine by Samuel Hahnemann’ – Bing video
Cancers make their own luck: theories of cancer origins
Abstract
Cancer has been a leading cause of death for decades. This dismal statistic has increased efforts to prevent the disease or to detect it early, when treatment is less invasive, relatively inexpensive and more likely to cure. But precisely how tissues are transformed continues to provoke controversy and debate, hindering cancer prevention and early intervention strategies. Various theories of cancer origins have emerged, including the suggestion that it is ‘bad luck’: the inevitable consequence of random mutations in proliferating stem cells. In this Review, we discuss the principal theories of cancer origins and the relative importance of the factors that underpin them. The body of available evidence suggests that developing and ageing tissues ‘walk a tightrope’, retaining adequate levels of cell plasticity to generate and maintain tissues while avoiding overstepping into transformation. Rather than viewing cancer as ‘bad luck’, understanding the complex choreography of cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors that characterize transformation holds promise to discover effective new ways to prevent, detect and stop cancer before it becomes incurable.
Like cancer, viruses are themselves “an enigma” that exist on the edges of life that are not small bacteria. Bacteria consist of only one cell, but are fully alive, each has a metabolism that requires food, produces waste and reproduces by division. Whereas, viruses on the other hand, do not eat or burn oxygen for energy. They do not engage in any process that could be considered metabolic. They do not produce waste or engage in sex. They have no side effects, by accident or design. They do not even reproduce independently.
They are less than a fully living living organism but more than an inert collection of chemicals. Several theories of their origin exist and these theories are not mutually exclusive. Evidence exists to support all of them and different viruses may have developed in different ways. Whatever the origin, a virus has only one function and that is to replicate itself. Thereby, it invades other cells that have energy and then like a foreign alien puppet master it subverts them, takes over and forces them to make thousands and in some cases hundreds of thousands of new viruses (the power of this lies within their genes.)
DNA and RNA are strings of these chemicals, in effect they are very long sequences of letters. Sometimes these letters do not form words that make any sense.
In fact, 97 percent of human DNA does not contain genes and is referred to as “non sense” of “junk” DNA. But when the letters spell out a sentence, then that or sequence is by definition a gene. When a gene in a cell is activated it orders the cell to make particular proteins.
Proteins can be used to be bricks as building blocks for tissues. Thereby the proteins that one eats generally do end up building tissues. But protein also plays crucial roles in most chemical reactions within the body, as well as carrying messages to “start” and “stop” different processes. Insulin for example, is a hormone but also a protein that helps regulate metabolism and particularly affects blood glucose.
Louis Sullivan understands viruses and when a virus successfully invades a cell, it inserts its own genes into the cells genome and the viral genes seize control from the cells own genes. The cell’s internal machinery then begins producing what the viral gene demands instead of what the cell needs for itself. So the cell turns out hundreds of thousands of viral proteins, which bind together with copies of the viral genome to form new viruses. Then new viruses occur, therefore, in this process the host cell almost always dies. Usually when the new viral particles burst through the cell surface to invade other cells.
Is Cancer Just a Virus – Bing video
Oncogenic viruses can cause cancer through different mechanisms, which can include:
alteration of cellular genes, either by mutation or by tampering with how genes are expressed, suppressi ng or disrupting the immune system and causing long-term inflammation.
It’s important to remember that not all viral infections lead to cancer. There are several factors that can influence whether infection with an oncogenic virus will progress to cancer. These can include things like the health of your immune system, genetics, and environment.
Cancer is also a complex disease with many factors that can affect its development. This makes it tricky to say that a virus directly causes cancer. It’s more accurate to think of viruses as one contributing factor in the development of cancer.
Prevention tips
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of contracting an oncogenic virus.
Vaccines
You can avoid two oncogenic viruses by getting vaccinated:
The HBV vaccine is recommended for all infants, children, and adolescents. It’s also recommended for adults who may be at risk of HBV infection. The vaccine is given in a series of shots, so you need to get the entire series for full protection.
The vaccine Gardasil 9 protects against nine types of HPV, including seven high-risk HPVs. It’s also given in a series and is recommended for children aged 11 or 12 or adults up to age 26.
Other tips
In addition to getting vaccinated, you can do several other things to help prevent viral infection, such as: washing your hands frequently, particularly before eating, after using the bathroom, and before touching your face, mouth, or nose not sharing personal items containing saliva or blood, including drinking glasses, toothbrushes, and razors using barrier protection, such as condoms or dental dams, during sexual activity
getting regularly screened for HPV if you have a vagina
getting regularly screened for HIV and HCV
not sharing needles
being cautious when getting tattoos or piercings, ensuring that only new, sterile needles are used
The bottom line
Several viruses, known as oncogenic viruses, are associated with cancer. These viruses can cause mutations, affect gene expression, or lead to chronic inflammation.
Keep in mind that having an infection by an oncogenic virus doesn’t mean you’ll develop cancer. It simply means you may have a higher risk than someone who’s never had the infection.
8 Viruses That Can Increase Your Cancer Risk
EBV
HBV
HCV
HIV
HHV-8
HPV
HLTV
MCV
Mechanisms
Prevention
Takeaway
Viruses are tiny, infectious microbes. They’re technically parasites because they require a host cell to reproduce. Upon entry, the virus uses components of the host cell to complete its life cycle.
Some viruses can cause or contribute to the development of cancer. These viruses are called oncogenic viruses.
Unlike other viruses, such as influenza viruses, that cause an acute infection, oncogenic viruses often cause long-term, persistent infections.
It’s estimated that viruses account for about 20 percent of cancers. And there may be more oncogenic viruses that experts aren’t aware of yet.
1. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
EBV is a type of herpes virus. You may be familiar with it as the cause of infectious mononucleosis, or mono.
EBV is most often spread through saliva. It can be contracted through coughing, sneezing, and close contact, such as kissing or sharing personal items.
The virus can also be spread through blood and semen. This means you can encounter it through sexual contact, blood transfusions, or organ transplants.
Most EBV infections occur during childhood, although not everyone who contracts the virus has symptoms. Once you’ve contracted it, it remains in your body for the rest of your life. But it eventually lies dormant in your body.
Mutations that occur in cells due to EBV infection may contribute to certain rare cancers, including:
Burkitt’s lymphoma
nasopharyngeal cancer
Hodgkin’s lymphoma
stomach cancer
2. Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
HBV causes viral hepatitis. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Many people with HBV go on to recover following an acute infection. However, some develop a chronic (long-term) HBV infection.
The virus spreads through bodily fluids, including blood, semen, and vaginal secretions.
Common ways infection can occur include having unprotected sexual activity with someone who has the virus sharing needles, sharing personal items that could contain blood, including razors and toothbrushes.
Transmitting the virus to an infant during birth, if the mother has HBV
Having a chronic HBV infection leads to liver inflammation and damage, which are risk factors for liver cancer.
3. Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Like HBV, HCV also causes viral hepatitis.
According to the American Cancer SocietyTrusted Source, HCV is less likely than HBV to cause symptoms. But it’s more likely to cause a chronic infection. As a result, some people may have an HCV infection and not know it.
HCV spreads the same way HBV does. However, sexual activity seems to be a slightly less common cause of HCV transmission.
Similarly, to HBV, a chronic HCV infection can lead to prolonged liver inflammation and damage, increasing a person’s risk of liver cancer.
4. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
HIV is a retrovirus that can lead to the development of AIDS.
HIV infects and destroys cells in the immune system called helper T cells. As the numbers of these cells decline, the immune system has a harder time fighting infections.
HIV spreads through bodily fluids, including blood, semen, and vaginal fluids.
Some ways that transmission can occur include:
unprotected sexual activity with someone who has the virus
sharing needles
sharing personal items that could contain blood, including razors and toothbrushes
transmitting the virus to an infant during birth, if the mother has HIV
It’s important to note that HIV doesn’t cause cancer by itself. The immune system is important in both fighting infections and in finding and attacking cancerous cells.
The weakening of the immune system caused by HIV infection can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cervical cancer.
5. Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)
You may sometimes see HHV-8 referred to as Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Like EBV, it’s a type of herpes virus.
Infection with HHV-8 is rare. It’s estimated that less than 10 percentTrusted Source of people in the United States develop an infection.
HHV-8 is mostly spread by saliva, although it can also be transmitted through sexual contact, organ transplants, and blood transfusions.
What virus causes sarcoma’s – Search (bing.com)
It causes a rare type of cancer called Kaposi sarcoma. This cancer affects the lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels. HHV-8 can be found in the cells of these tissues.
Normally, the immune system keeps the virus under control. As a result, most people with an infection don’t have any symptoms or develop Kaposi sarcoma.
However, people who have a weakened immune system, due to HIV for example, are at an increased risk for developing Kaposi sarcoma. This is because their immune system may not be able to keep the HHV-8 in check.
6. Human papillomavirus (HPV)
According to the National Cancer Institute, there are more than 200 Trusted Source types of HPV. Some types cause warts to form on the skin, while others cause warts to form on the genitals, throat, or anus. However, HPV infection may not always cause symptoms.
Many types of HPV are spread through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Because the virus can spread through skin contact, condom and dental dam use can lower, but not completely prevent, the chances of transmission.
Many people with an HPV infection eventually go on to clear it. However, in some cases long-term HPV infection can lead to cellular changes that can contribute to the development of several cancers, including those of the:
cervix
vagina
vulva
penis
anus
oropharynx
Strains of HPV that can cause these cancers are called high-risk HPVs. There are 14 high-risk strains of HPV, although HPV16 and HPV18 are responsible for most cancers.
7. Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)
Like HIV, HTLV is also a retrovirus. It’s more common outside of the United States in areas such as Japan, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and South America.
HTLV spreads through blood. Potential means of transmission include:
unprotected sexual activity
childbirth
breastfeeding
needling sharing
blood transfusions
As a retrovirus, part of the HTLV life cycle involves integrating viral genes into the those of the host cell. This may affect how the cell grows or expresses its genes and can potentially lead to cancer.
Many people with HTLV infections have no symptoms. However, HTLV infection is associated with an aggressive type of cancer called acute T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). It’s estimated that 2 to 5 percent of people with the virus will develop ATL.
8. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV)
MCV is a recently discovered virus. Most people contract the virus during childhood and don’t have any symptoms.
It’s unclear how MCV is transmitted, though experts think skin-to-skin contact is a likely culprit, along with coming into contact with contaminated objects or surfaces.
MCV was first identified in cell samples from a type of cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare type of skin cancer. It’s now believed that MCV causes nearly all cases of Merkel cell carcinoma.
Fasting kills viruses – Search (bing.com)
Is intermittent fasting or restricting calories better for weight loss? New study offers answer (msn.com)
The Healthy Habits of People Who’ve Aged Gracefully (msn.com)
What To Know About Stress—and How It Affects Your Health (msn.com)
The Red Flags Of Excessive Stress: How To Recognize And Address It (msn.com)
Does Stress feed – Search (bing.com)
Healthy Ways to De-Stress Daily (msn.com)
11 Ways to Reduce Stress (msn.com)
Can stress cause viral infections – Search (bing.com)
- Does stress feed cancer.
- Does stress feel like heart attack?
- Does stress speed up metabolism.
- Does stress speed up aging.