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People thinking of voluntary assisted dying may be able to donate their organs. We need to start talking about this

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/robert-ray-1441988">Robert Ray</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a></em></p> <p>The number of people needing an organ transplant vastly outweighs the number of organs available.</p> <p><a href="https://www.donatelife.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-02/OTA%202022%20Donation%20and%20Transplantation%20Activity%20Report.pdf">In 2022</a> there were about 1,800 Australians waiting for an organ but only about 1,200 people received an organ transplant.</p> <p>But in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/imj.16085">a recent paper</a>, I outline one unexplored option for increasing the number of potential organ donors in Australia – transplanting organs from people undergoing voluntary assisted dying. This would involve transplanting organs only after someone had died.</p> <p>It’s estimated <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2616383">about 10%</a> of people eligible for voluntary assisted dying are likely to be medically suitable to donate their organs. Based on <a href="https://www.safercare.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-09/Voluntary%20Assisted%20Dying%20Review%20Board%20Report%20of%20Operations%20July%202021-June%2022_FINAL.pdf">Victorian figures</a> alone, this could lead to about an extra 40 potential organ donors each year.</p> <p>This type of organ donation has taken place <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9297969/">for more than 20 years</a> in Europe, and more recently in Canada.</p> <p>Organs transplanted from donors undergoing voluntary assisted dying <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2769118">have</a> <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ajt.16267">similar</a> <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ajt.16971">success rates</a> to more traditional donations.</p> <p>Yet, this is a discussion we’ve yet to have in Australia. Here are some of the ethical and practical issues we need to start talking about.</p> <h2>Is this ethical? It’s tricky</h2> <p>The main ethical challenge is ensuring a person isn’t motivated to end their life prematurely so they can donate their organs.</p> <p><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ajt.13746">Internationally</a>, <a href="https://jme.bmj.com/content/42/8/486.short">this challenge</a> is mainly addressed by having <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1600613523000291">independent assessments</a> by multiple doctors. This is to ensure the motivation is genuine and honest, much like assessing someone before voluntary assisted dying.</p> <p>Similarly, it is important the doctor of someone undergoing voluntary assisted dying isn’t persuading them to donate an organ. This means any doctor overseeing voluntary assisted dying may be limited in how much they can discuss organ donation with their patient.</p> <p>Again, this <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ajt.13746">has been managed internationally</a> by having separate, independent doctors overseeing organ donation and voluntary assisted dying, <a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/190/44/E1305.short">without one influencing</a> the other.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528192/original/file-20230525-27-sjwdaa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528192/original/file-20230525-27-sjwdaa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528192/original/file-20230525-27-sjwdaa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=437&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528192/original/file-20230525-27-sjwdaa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=437&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528192/original/file-20230525-27-sjwdaa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=437&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528192/original/file-20230525-27-sjwdaa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=549&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528192/original/file-20230525-27-sjwdaa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=549&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528192/original/file-20230525-27-sjwdaa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=549&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Elderly woman in bed hand on covers" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Is this what people really want, with so little time left?</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/senior-woman-laying-on-bed-hospital-1054837748">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Organ donation may also affect the way voluntary assisted dying is conducted, which <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1600613523000291">may impact</a> participants’ very limited quality of life.</p> <p>That’s because determining if someone is eligible to donate an organ involves a number of <a href="https://jme.bmj.com/content/43/9/601.short">investigations</a>. These may include blood tests, radiology (imaging) and numerous clinical encounters to exclude diseases such as cancer, which would prevent someone donating their organs. These investigations may be exhausting but necessary.</p> <p>This burden must be weighed against the participant’s wishes and motivation to donate their organs. So people must also be informed of the impact organ donation will have on their limited life left.</p> <p>The choices of people considering this option must be respected and they must be given multiple opportunities to review their decision, without undue influence or bias.</p> <h2>Practical issues: coordination, location, regulation</h2> <p>Practically, combining organ donation and voluntary assisted dying is <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ajt.13746">challenging</a>. This includes the difficulty organising and coordinating specialists in organ donation, voluntary assisted dying and transplantation.</p> <p>This is why, internationally, organ donation of this nature mostly occurs in large hospitals, where it’s easier to coordinate.</p> <p>So if people want to donate an organ this way, they may spend their last moments in an unfamiliar environment.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528195/original/file-20230525-15-irsqg9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528195/original/file-20230525-15-irsqg9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528195/original/file-20230525-15-irsqg9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528195/original/file-20230525-15-irsqg9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528195/original/file-20230525-15-irsqg9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528195/original/file-20230525-15-irsqg9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528195/original/file-20230525-15-irsqg9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528195/original/file-20230525-15-irsqg9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Patient being wheeled on stretcher through hospital corridors" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">People may have to be moved to a large hospital with the facilities and staff on hand.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/surgeon-assistant-team-transport-move-stretcher-2062330820">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Efforts have been made <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2776765">internationally</a> to prioritise these valuable last moments by giving people the choice of where voluntary assisted dying occurs (<a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/190/44/E1305.short">such as their home</a>). But this currently only occurs in a minority of cases and increases the complexity of organ donation.</p> <p>Regulating the process is also essential to developing a safe, trustworthy and effective program. Ideally a centralised organisation such as Australia’s national <a href="https://www.donatelife.gov.au">Organ and Tissue Authority</a> would organise, undertake and regulate this.</p> <p>However, this may be challenging given voluntary assisted dying practices are specific to each state.</p> <h2>The challenges ahead</h2> <p>If someone considering voluntary assisted dying wants to donate their organs and is deemed eligible, there is currently <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/imj.16085">no legal barrier in Australia</a> to stop them.</p> <p>What might prevent them is how their doctor responds, and whether there are the services and organisations willing to fulfil this request ethically and practically.</p> <p>The next step in considering this form of organ donation is to discuss the prospect publicly.</p> <p>Every extra donated organ is potentially lifesaving. So we should make every effort to consider potential safe and ethical ways to increase donation and transplantation rates.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/206298/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/robert-ray-1441988">Robert Ray</a>, Affiliate Associate Lecturer, School of Medicine, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/people-thinking-of-voluntary-assisted-dying-may-be-able-to-donate-their-organs-we-need-to-start-talking-about-this-206298">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Emotional moment father discovers his daughter's ultimate act of selflessness

<p>A woman has shared the emotional moment her father discovered she was the one who anonymously donated her kidney to help him fight kidney disease.</p> <p>John Ivanowski, a 60-year-old man from Missouri in the US, was diagnosed with an immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency, which saw his immune system attack his kidneys, more than a year ago.</p> <p>John was placed on dialysis for his condition, and ended up on the transplant list to replace his kidney. </p> <p>When the Ivanowski family began discussing the transplant options, his 25-year-old daughter Delayne was determined to help give her father a better quality of life by donating her kidney. </p> <p>John had lost his son and Delayne's only sibling to cancer 16 years ago, and was resistant to his daughter becoming his kidney donor.</p> <p>"I thought, I lost my boy and if anything happened to Delayne, I don't know what I would do," he told <a href="https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/daughter-surprises-dad-kidney-donor-97494470" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">ABC News</a>, adding, "It was a big concern."</p> <p>Despite her father's protests, Delayne, who works as a nurse, knew John would remain on the transplant list if she did not volunteer her kidney. </p> <p>Delayne said, "I don't think that's any way that anybody should have to live."</p> <p>She added, "I was like, 'I'm going to do it. I don't care how mad he is at me. I don't care if he kicks me out of the house or hates me or doesn't say a word to me for the rest of my life.'"</p> <p>"At least he'll be living a good life and not hooked up to a machine."</p> <p>Delayne then secretly went through the months-long approval process to become her dad's kidney donor, which meant getting endless medical tests, and fielding dozens of calls with social workers and medical staff, all while living under her parents' roof.</p> <p>John then underwent his surgery at Washington University And Barnes-Jewish Transplant Center in St Louis, with hospital staff working hard to keep Delayne's secret.</p> <p>Jason Wellen, who is the centre's kidney and pancreas transplant surgical director and John's doctor, said the staff had to do a lot of "behind-the-scenes" work to make sure the father and daughter were kept in separate pre-op areas, and had to ensure they didn't spot each other in post-op as well to maintain secrecy until Delayne was ready to break the news to John.</p> <p>And when she did, the emotional moment was captured on video. </p> <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 610px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7203398361297440046&amp;display_name=tiktok&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40hoperisesnews%2Fvideo%2F7203398361297440046%3Fq%3Ddelayne%26t%3D1677630976317&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2F63835bef2c2c4873aace09811331bf14%3Fx-expires%3D1677650400%26x-signature%3DNEPi6l8%252FIQn4tNRL%252FGqtrGDpkcw%253D&amp;key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p>Filming the emotional moment she walked into her dad's hospital room hooked up to an IV drip after the surgery, John immediately knew what had happened without Delayne saying a word.</p> <p>"Oh my God. Are you kidding me?" he says in the video, which was posted to TikTok and has been viewed more than four million times. </p> <p>An emotional John then tells his daughter, "I knew you were up to something," to which she cheekily responds, "I'm always up to something."</p> <p>Despite initially being "upset", John said he was grateful for his daughter's selfless act and it was a "big relief" not to be "hooked up to the machine anymore".</p> <p>"I can't stop crying," he added.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

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Prince Harry believes he was born to offer spare organs to his brother

<p>Prince Harry has shared that he believes he was only bred to offer spare organs to his brother, Prince William. </p> <p>In yet another bitter revelation from the Duke of Sussex's memoir <em>Spare</em>, he revealed that he thinks he was only brought into the world in case the heir apparent needed help. </p> <p>“Two years older than me, Willy was the Heir, whereas I was the Spare,” the exiled prince wrote, explaining the title of his memoir, which was officially released on Wednesday.</p> <p>“I was the shadow, the support, the Plan B. I was brought into the world in case something happened to Willy,” he wrote of his brother and current heir to the throne.</p> <p>He said he understood his role was to be a “diversion” and “distraction” from his brother, or to provide, “if necessary, a spare part” to him.</p> <p>“Kidney, perhaps. Blood transfusion. Speck of bone marrow,” he added in morose detail.</p> <p>He also shared how his dad, now King Charles III, could never be on a plane with his elder son, William, “because there must be no chance of the first and second in line to the throne being wiped out”.</p> <p>“But no one gave a damn whom I travelled with; the Spare could always be spared,” Harry claimed.</p> <p>“This was all made explicitly clear to me from the start of life’s journey and regularly reinforced thereafter,” he claimed of his apparent throwaway standing in the family.</p> <p>Harry complained that the heir and spare clarification “wasn’t merely how the press referred to us”, but was also “the shorthand used by” his royal family, including “Mummy,” the late Princess Diana, “and even Granny,” the since-deceased Queen Elizabeth II.</p> <p>He wrote that when he was 20-years-old, he was told that his father reacted to his birth by saying to Princess Diana, “Wonderful! Now you’ve given me an Heir and a Spare — my work is done.”</p> <p>Despite naming his memoir Spare, and using his clear distaste for his role in life to justify his ultimate split from his family, Harry maintains that he was initially accepting of it.</p> <p>“I took no offence, I felt nothing about it, any of it,” he wrote — initially acknowledging his incredibly privileged life.</p> <p>“Every boy and girl, at least once, imagines themselves as a prince or a princess. Therefore, Spare or no Spare, it wasn’t half bad to actually be one,” he conceded.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Anne Heche to be taken off life support

<p dir="ltr">US actress Anne Heche will be taken off life support days after she was reported to be brain dead.</p> <p dir="ltr">The decision comes after the 53-year-old was matched with an organ recipient, per CNN, in line with her wishes, after Heche was pulled out of her burning car, which she had <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/actress-fighting-for-her-life-after-horror-car-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">driven into an LA home</a> while driving 104 km/h on August 5.</p> <p dir="ltr">Heche's publicist broke the news that the <em>Six Days, Seven Nights</em> star was "not expected to survive" on Friday, revealing that Heche had "suffered a severe anoxic brain injury".</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend,” her spokesperson told <em>Page Six</em> at the time.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-02f14bcd-7fff-85ab-3ecc-d0d822147ddc"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdUqTdKLo6E/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdUqTdKLo6E/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Anne Heche (@anneheche)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The following day, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said in a statement that the investigation into the crash would not move forward.</p> <p dir="ltr">"As of today, there will be no further investigative efforts made in this case," the LAPD said in a statement to <em><a href="https://pagesix.com/2022/08/14/anne-heche-police-investigation-dismissed-following-stars-death/?_ga=2.230917663.184706205.1660479883-1122528718.1567945808" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Any information or records that have been requested prior to this turn of events will still be collected as they arrive as a matter of formalities and included in the overall case.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When a person suspected of a crime expires, we do not present for filing consideration.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After the results for Heche’s blood test following the crash <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/anne-heche-s-blood-test-results-revealed-after-horror-smash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">detected “the presence of drugs” in her system</a>, police investigations escalated to a “preliminary” felony DUI.</p> <p dir="ltr">Gossip magazine <em>TMZ </em>reported on August 10 that the investigation was escalated after a woman claimed she was injured and needed medical assistance due to Heche crashing into her home.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7a45620a-7fff-a523-348f-68564680d4f2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">However, an LAPD public information officer told <em>Page Six</em> that the felony was preliminary due to pending further toxicology testing.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChKkPVLukOi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChKkPVLukOi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by James Tupper (@mrjamestupper)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Heche, who never regained consciousness after the crash, is survived by her 13-year-old son Atlas, who she shares with actor James Trupper, as well as her 20-year-old son Homer, shared with ex-husband Coleman Laffoon.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-661f6c10-7fff-c097-316a-6f5c947cb84c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">On Saturday, Tupper shared a sweet tribute to his late wife to Instagram, posting a single photo of Heche along with the caption: “love you forever 💔”.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChLAEgaPFFF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChLAEgaPFFF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Coley Laffoon (@coleylaffoon)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Laffoon took to social media to wish his ex-wife peace on her journey, sharing a throwback photo of Heche with their son as a baby.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s important to remember the real love in the best times. Thank you Anne. Peace on your journey,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-dd5ef628-7fff-d8e9-c738-71dae7ec97e9"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @anneheche (Instagram)</em></p>

News

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Life support of 12-year-old turned off after devastating accident

<p>The parents of 12-year-old Josh Field have made the heart-breaking decision to switch off their son's life support, after he was left fighting for his life following a devastating accident.</p> <p>They said their "Joshy" would be remembered as a "hero", as the young boy would live on through donating his organs to help others live.</p> <p>Josh suffered catastrophic head injuries when he fell from an unfinished home at a construction site in Maddington, Western Australia, on Monday.</p> <p>The 12-year-old was with his cousins and little brother, who looked on as he fell from a wall and was struck on the head by a metal beam.</p> <p>He was rushed to Perth Children's Hospital with critical injuries and has remained on life support until his family made the difficult decision to say goodbye.</p> <p>“Words can’t even explain it, he’s so much more than anyone can imagine,” older sister Charnte told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/wa/life-support-to-be-switched-off-for-josh-field-12-after-tragic-maddington-construction-site-fall--c-6761586" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>.</p> <p>“Even though we’ve lost him, he’s still here, he will still live on."</p> <p>“He’s a hero, he’s donating his heart, his lungs, his kidneys to save others.”</p> <p>Joshy’s older brother Jady said it was hard for it to sink in, adding the family felt “broken”.</p> <p>“It still feels like I’m dreaming,” he told 7News</p> <p>“We’ve lost the most exciting, happy person in our life... he helped us."</p> <p>His family have said that Joshy was a "beautiful soul" who was taken too early by the devastating accident.</p> <p>The family have set up a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jyrte-joshuas-funeral?utm_source=facebook" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> account to help cover Joshy's funeral costs.</p> <p><em>Image credits: 7News</em></p>

Caring

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Woman brutally dumped after donating an organ to her partner

<p><em>Image: TikTok</em></p> <p>Donating a kidney to somebody in need is not an easy decision. But when a young woman named Colleen had the chance to change her boyfriend’s life six years ago, she didn’t think twice about donating the vital organ.</p> <p>In a series of viral videos, the TikTok star explained how she made the decision to have the procedure to save his life according to<span> </span><em>The Sun.</em></p> <p>When they first got together, Colleen said her boyfriend had been upfront about how he’d been struggling with chronic kidney disease since the age of 17. This meant he had to be on dialysis and his kidneys functioned at just 5% at average capacity.</p> <p>She explained: “I decided to get tested to see if we were a match because I didn’t want to watch him die.” Luckily for the couple, the surgeries went well and both parties recovered.</p> <p>But while you’d naturally assume the man would be eternally grateful to his girlfriend for what she did for him, he then cheated on her seven months later.</p> <p>In a follow-up video, Colleen explained how her ex-boyfriend told her he was going to Las Vegas for a bachelor party with some guys in his church. At the time, the TikToker was in a busy exam period and trusted her boyfriend completely so didn’t think anything of it.</p> <p>Until he turned up on her doorstep and confessed to cheating.</p> <p>“A lot of arguments later, I eventually forgave him and gave him a second chance,” she said. However, three months later the now ex brutally dumped Colleen over the phone.</p> <p>She claims he said: “If we are meant for each other, God will bring us back together in the end.”</p> <p>Unfortunately, the break-up only got messier from there, when her ex told her: “You only donated your kidney to look good”.</p>

Relationships

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Tragedy strikes Sharon Stone’s family

<p>Sharon Stone has revealed her 11-month old nephew and godson, River, has died only days after he was found in his crib with 'total organ failure' that left him clinging to life in a coma.</p> <p>The <em>Basic Instinct </em>star, whose video tribute is set to Eric Clapton's <em>Tears in Heaven</em>, revealed the tragic news on Monday via her Instagram account.</p> <p>Stone took to her Instagram account, asking fans to pray for River saying he would need a ‘miracle’ to survive.</p> <p>He was the youngest child of Stone's brother, Patrick, and his wife, Tasha, who live in Ohio with their three children.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTNcofsJlLC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTNcofsJlLC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Sharon Stone (@sharonstone)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>While sharing the news of his death, Stone posted a video of her nephew with the caption: 'River William Stone. Sept 8, 2020 - Aug 30, 2021'</p> <p>It is still unknown at this time exactly what happened to the child and Stone has not yet shared any other information about his passing.</p> <p><strong>River’s mother posted a plea for prayers</strong></p> <p>River's mother Tasha also wrote an impassioned plea for prayers on her Facebook page last week, revealing that her son had been airlifted to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh on Thursday, where he was fighting for his life in a coma.</p> <p>Tasha wrote: 'This is the HARDEST thing I have ever had to post but I am BEGGING everyone and anyone who prays please pray HARD for River,' the devastated mother wrote. 'Every single second of this is literally killing me. I just want my sweet sweet boy back.'</p> <p>She didn't share the cause of her son's condition but she said doctors had told her River would “never be the same” if he ever woke up from his coma.</p> <p>'The doctor said if he does pull through he will never be the same,' Tasha wrote on her Facebook post: 'Please I am begging for prayers that my baby can be healed and come back with his family who love him so very much. I am beyond heartbroken.'</p> <p>Neither Tasha or Patrick have commented as yet on their son's tragic passing, and no details about the causes of his illness have been shared.</p> <p><strong>Stone was in Venice when she heard about River<br /></strong></p> <p>Stone was in Venice, Italy, when news of River's condition was revealed and she returned to the US over the weekend.</p> <p>There are a number of severe medical conditions which can lead to multiple organ failure in children but the leading cause is sepsis, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.</p> <p>Sepsis - which can be sparked by another infection in the body - is particularly dangerous for children, because the symptoms are more easily missed than they are in adult patients.</p> <p>Birth defects and other undiagnosed illness can also lead to paediatric organ failure but it is not yet known whether any of these conditions caused River's severe illness.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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What you didn’t know: Why can some organs regenerate while others can’t?

<p><strong>What are cells?</strong></p> <p>As you may know, the body is made of cells. We sometimes call these cells “the building blocks of life”. Nature builds all the parts of our bodies with cells.</p> <p>In other words, you might have played with Lego before. Cells are like pieces of Lego! Just like Lego blocks do, cells come in lots of shapes and colours. Cells can also do lots of different things.</p> <p>Your skin is made of different cells. Some of them make your hair, and some make your scars when you get a cut, for example.</p> <p>Even your blood is made of many different cells. The red blood cells give your blood its red colour.</p> <p>So going back to your question, some cells in our body are very special because they can multiply. Not only that, these special cells can turn into other cells as well. The name of these special cells is “stem cells”, and they are the key to our organs regenerating.</p> <p>Imagine if your Lego blocks could do that!</p> <p><strong>Which organs can regenerate themselves?</strong></p> <p>Maggie, you’re very clever at nine to know what “regeneration” means, but in case some other young readers don’t, regeneration is when our organs fix themselves after they’ve been damaged. Our organs might have been damaged if we get injured or we’re very sick.</p> <p>Organs like our skin (yes, the skin is the biggest organ of the body!) need to regenerate often. The skin’s stem cells produce new cells when the old ones are lost, like when we get a paper cut.</p> <p>Our livers are very good at regenerating themselves because they too can make new cells. The cells of the liver are called “hepatocytes”. Hepatocytes start to multiply when the liver is damaged. So hepatocytes work like stem cells.</p> <p>Intestines are another good example of an organ which regenerates itself. Our intestines regenerate all the time, even when we’re healthy. They lose cells when we digest food, but the stem cells in the intestines multiply to keep this important organ working well.</p> <p><strong>Which organs aren’t very good at regenerating?</strong></p> <p>The brain actually can’t regenerate itself well because when the brain is damaged its cells find it harder to make new ones. This is because the brain has very few of the special cells, or stem cells.</p> <p>In recent years, we’ve found some areas of the brain can regenerate. But we still need to do more research to better understand how this works.</p> <p>We do know the brain is better at regenerating itself when we are young than when we are old.</p> <p><em>Written by Jose Polo. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-why-can-some-organs-regenerate-while-others-cant-128217"><em>The Conversation.</em></a></p>

Caring

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Scientists create first ever living programmable organism

<p>A remarkable combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and biology has produced the world’s first “living robots”.</p> <p>This week, a research team of roboticists and scientists <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/01/07/1910837117">published</a> their recipe for making a new lifeform called xenobots from stem cells. The term “xeno” comes from the frog cells (<em>Xenopus laevis</em>) used to make them.</p> <p>One of the researchers <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonchandler/2020/01/14/worlds-first-living-robot-invites-new-opportunities-and-risks/#379ef46c3caf">described the creation</a> as “neither a traditional robot nor a known species of animal”, but a “new class of artifact: a living, programmable organism”.</p> <p>Xenobots are less than 1mm long and made of 500-1000 living cells. They have various simple shapes, including some with squat “legs”. They can propel themselves in linear or circular directions, join together to act collectively, and move small objects. Using their own cellular energy, they can live up to 10 days.</p> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M18nPjLZrMA"></iframe></div> <p>While these “reconfigurable biomachines” could vastly improve human, animal, and environmental health, they raise legal and ethical concerns.</p> <p><strong>Strange new ‘creature’</strong></p> <p>To make xenobots, the research team used a supercomputer to test thousands of random designs of simple living things that could perform certain tasks.</p> <p>The computer was programmed with an AI “evolutionary algorithm” to predict which organisms would likely display useful tasks, such as moving towards a target.</p> <p>After the selection of the most promising designs, the scientists attempted to replicate the virtual models with frog skin or heart cells, which were manually joined using microsurgery tools. The heart cells in these bespoke assemblies contract and relax, giving the organisms motion.</p> <p>The creation of xenobots is groundbreaking.</p> <p>Despite being described as “programmable living robots”, they are actually completely organic and made of living tissue. The term “robot” has been used because xenobots can be configured into different forms and shapes, and “programmed” to target certain objects – which they then unwittingly seek.</p> <p>They can also repair themselves after being damaged.</p> <p><strong>Possible applications</strong></p> <p>Xenobots may have great value.</p> <p><a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/f/615041/these-xenobots-are-living-machines-designed-by-an-evolutionary-algorithm/">Some speculate</a> they could be used to clean our polluted oceans by collecting microplastics.</p> <p>Similarly, they may be used to enter confined or dangerous areas to scavenge toxins or radioactive materials.</p> <p>Xenobots designed with carefully shaped “pouches” might be able to carry drugs into human bodies.</p> <p>Future versions may be built from a patient’s own cells to repair tissue or target cancers. Being biodegradable, xenobots would have an edge on technologies made of plastic or metal.</p> <p>Further development of biological “robots” could accelerate our understanding of living and robotic systems. Life is incredibly complex, so manipulating living things could reveal some of life’s mysteries — and improve our use of AI.</p> <p><strong>Legal and ethical questions</strong></p> <p>Conversely, xenobots raise legal and ethical concerns. In the same way they could help target cancers, they could also be used to hijack life functions for malevolent purposes.</p> <p>Some argue artificially making living things is unnatural, hubristic, or involves “playing God”.</p> <p>A more compelling concern is that of unintended or malicious use, as we have seen with technologies in fields including nuclear physics, chemistry, biology and AI.</p> <p>For instance, xenobots might be used for hostile biological purposes prohibited under international law.</p> <p>More advanced future xenobots, especially ones that live longer and reproduce, could potentially “malfunction” and go rogue, and out-compete other species.</p> <p>For complex tasks, xenobots may need sensory and nervous systems, possibly resulting in their sentience. A sentient programmed organism would raise additional ethical questions. Last year, the revival of a disembodied pig brain <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01216-4">elicited concerns about different species’ suffering</a>.</p> <p><strong>Managing risks</strong></p> <p>The xenobot’s creators have rightly acknowledged the need for discussion around the ethics of their creation.</p> <p>The 2018 scandal over using CRISPR (which allows the introduction of genes into an organism) may provide an instructive lesson <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614761/nature-jama-rejected-he-jiankui-crispr-baby-lulu-nana-paper/">here</a>. While the experiment’s goal was to reduce the susceptibility of twin baby girls to HIV-AIDS, associated risks caused ethical dismay. The scientist in question <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/30/gene-editing-chinese-scientist-he-jiankui-jailed-three-years">is in prison</a>.</p> <p>When CRISPR became widely available, some experts called for a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/mar/13/scientists-call-for-global-moratorium-on-crispr-gene-editing">moratorium</a> on heritable genome editing. Others <a href="https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/crispr.2019.0016?utm_source=miragenews&amp;utm_medium=miragenews&amp;utm_campaign=news&amp;">argued</a> the benefits outweighed the risks.</p> <p>While each new technology should be considered impartially and based on its merits, giving life to xenobots raises certain significant questions:</p> <ol> <li>Should xenobots have biological kill-switches in case they go rogue?</li> <li>Who should decide who can access and control them?</li> <li>What if “homemade” xenobots become possible? Should there be a moratorium until regulatory frameworks are established? How much regulation is required?</li> </ol> <p>Lessons learned in the past from advances in other areas of science could help manage future risks, while reaping the possible benefits.</p> <p><strong>Long road here, long road ahead</strong></p> <p>The creation of xenobots had various biological and robotic precedents. Genetic engineering has created genetically modified mice that become <a href="http://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/news/research-medical-benefits/glowing-mice/">fluorescent</a> in UV light.</p> <p><a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/1/4/e1500077">Designer microbes</a> can produce drugs and food ingredients that may eventually <a href="https://solarfoods.fi/">replace animal agriculture</a>.</p> <p>In 2012, scientists created an <a href="https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/brainwaves/what-would-it-take-to-really-build-an-artificial-jellyfish">artificial jellyfish</a> called a “medusoid” from rat cells.</p> <p>Robotics is also flourishing.</p> <p>Nanobots can <a href="http://news.mit.edu/2013/nanotechnology-could-help-fight-diabetes-0516">monitor people’s blood sugar levels</a> and may eventually be able to <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/tiny-robots-can-clear-clogged-arteries-180955774/">clear clogged arteries</a>.</p> <p>Robots can incorporate living matter, which we witnessed when engineers and biologists created a <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/07/robotic-stingray-powered-light-activated-muscle-cells">sting-ray robot</a> powered by light-activated cells.</p> <p>In the coming years, we are sure to see more creations like xenobots that evoke both wonder and due concern. And when we do, it is important we remain both open-minded and critical.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/129980/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: http://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/simon-coghlan-108606">Simon Coghlan</a>, Senior Research Fellow in Digital Ethics, School of Computing and Information Systems, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-melbourne-722">University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kobi-leins-939980">Kobi Leins</a>, Senior Research Fellow in Digital Ethics, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-melbourne-722">University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/not-bot-not-beast-scientists-create-first-ever-living-programmable-organism-129980">original article</a>.</em></p>

Technology

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What exactly does our skin do?

<p>Our skin is a big deal – literally. It’s the largest organ in the body and one of the most complicated. It has many roles in the maintenance of life and health, but also has many potential problems, with more than <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28259441">3,000 possible skin disorders</a>.</p> <p>Not only does the skin hold everything in, it also plays a crucial role in providing an airtight, watertight and flexible barrier between the outside world and the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2843412/">highly regulated systems within the body</a>. It also helps with temperature regulation, immune defence, vitamin production, and sensation.</p> <p>The skin is unique in many ways, but no other organ demands so much attention and concern in both states of disease and health. There is a huge focus on skin health, with fierce competition to have glowing, clearer, healthier, younger and fresher skin. And this focus can cause secondary problems with self-esteem and mental health.</p> <p>So, what exactly is our skin meant to do and how does it impact our life?</p> <p><strong>The structure of the skin</strong></p> <p>The skin is divided into three layers known as the epidermis, dermis and subcutis. These layers are well defined but together they allow the skin to function effectively.</p> <p>The epidermis is the outermost, cellular layer of the skin which varies in thickness depending on the body site. On average it’s <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10354068">less than half a millimetre thick</a>. The epidermis resembles a “brick wall” of cells known as keratinocytes, which are bound tightly together and act to prevent free movement of moisture, pathogens and chemicals into or out of the body.</p> <p>Keratinocytes replicate from the basal layer and work their way up to the outer surface (known as the stratum corneum) over a period of about 28 days. Once they reach the surface the tight bonds between them break apart and they are shed.</p> <p>Other than keratinocytes, pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes and immune cells known as Langerhans cells also exist within the epidermis. Melanocytes inhabit the basement membrane, at the base of the epidermis and produce a pigment known as melanin both innately (giving the skin its natural colour), and in response to ultraviolet light (UV) exposure (giving the skin a sun tan).</p> <p>The melanin is a brown pigment that is taken up into the overlying keratinocytes. This pigment will then absorb UV light (from the sun) when it hits the skin, thereby protecting the basal calls underneath from UV damage.</p> <p>The epidermal cells also develop hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous (oil) glands which extend down into the layer below known as the dermis. The small ducts from each of these glands open onto the skin surface. Sweat and sebum (oil) provide an antibacterial and protective barrier on the skin.</p> <p>The dermis lies beneath the epidermis and is <a href="https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1294744-overview">20-30 times thicker</a>. It’s made up of a dense layer of fibrous (collagen) and elastic (elastin) tissue. The dermis gives the skin its integrity, strength and elasticity; and houses blood vessels, glands and hair follicles, as well as nerves and their receptors.</p> <p>Beneath the dermis lies the subcutis (also known as the hypodermis), a specialised layer of adipose (fat) and fibrous tissue. The thickness of this layer varies dramatically depending on the site and a person’s body shape and weight. It cushions the body from external trauma, insulates from the cold and stores energy (fat).</p> <p><strong>The function of the skin</strong></p> <p>The extraordinary array of functions performed by healthy skin is still coming to light. The basic day-to-day functions include:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005273606002410">Working as a barrier</a> – protecting against water loss as well as physical and chemical injury, and bugs</li> <li>Helping us fight off bugs, allergens, toxins and carcinogens via the parts of our immune system that exist in our skin</li> <li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24692134">Regulating our temperature</a> by dilating and constricting our blood vessels near the skin surface, controlling the transfer of heat out of the body. Temperature is also regulated by evaporative cooling due to sweat production and by the insulating effect of erect hairs on the skin surface. Heat loss is also affected by the insulating layer of subcutaneous fat</li> <li>Protecting us from UV radiation by <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22404235">producing melanin</a></li> <li>Giving us the sense of touch _ providing interaction with physical surroundings, allowing all fine and gross motor activities and allowing pleasurable and sexual stimulation</li> <li>The <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278935/">production of Vitamin D</a>, which helps <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3356951/">prevent many diseases</a> including osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, obesity and neurological diseases</li> <li>Wound healing</li> <li>Beauty and physical attraction – the quality and condition of the skin greatly contributes to the perception of health, wellness, youth and beauty.</li> </ul> <p><strong>What is normal skin and how can you optimise it?</strong></p> <p>Normal healthy skin has many important roles and thus should be treated with care and respect. Many people only start focusing on the skin once there is an abnormality or at least a perceived problem.</p> <p>Common concerns include dryness, sensitivity, oiliness, congestion, wrinkles, sun damage and signs of ageing. Although these states are all within the spectrum of normal functional skin, they may be considered problematic if severe or undesirable.</p> <p>Normal, healthy skin that is not exposed to excessive physical or environmental insults may not require any specific care or protection, but for those who want to optimise or improve their skin, some basic steps can make a big difference.</p> <p>The key to skin care is consistency and routine, and it can take time to appreciate the changes. A basic regime of daily protection from excessive UV radiation, protection from excessive irritation and drying (by avoiding drying soaps, excess water or irritating chemicals) and aiding of the skin’s barrier properties (using a moisturising protective layer) will result in noticeable improvement in almost all skin.</p> <p>Switching and changing products and routines is usually counterproductive and will prevent you from seeing expected improvement in time. It’s worth looking after your skin, as you’ll wear it every day for the rest of your life.</p> <p><em>Written by Cara McDonald. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-skin-is-a-very-important-and-our-largest-organ-what-does-it-do-91515">The Conversation.</a> </em></p>

Beauty & Style

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The truth benefits of organic skincare products

<p>From your coffee to your T-shirts, everyone is trying to convince you how their product is more organic or natural, ergo better, than the rest.</p> <p>But when it comes to skincare, just how much of the "organic" hype should be believed?</p> <p>The amount of chemicals we apply to our skin on a daily basis is something that concerns many of us. And, like in the case of antibacterial soaps, there does seem to be a steadily growing case that maybe they aren't so great for us after all.</p> <p>So, it's no wonder that many of us are turning to products that claim ingredients only "found in nature".</p> <p><strong>Wholefood, whole-skin</strong></p> <p>Irene Falcone, organic skincare guru and founder of Nourished Life, says the push towards organic skincare is a natural progression of the healthy food movement.</p> <p>"As people are becoming more conscious about what they are putting into their bodies, naturally this extends to what they are putting onto their bodies," she tells Fairfax.</p> <p>"Organic personal care products really are an extension of the organic and whole food movement, if we remember back to when artificial colours and flavours being removed from food, removing them from beauty and skincare products is the next logical step."</p> <p>Often accompanied with the promise of containing no apparent "nasties" or "toxic" ingredients – things like parabens, sulphates, phthalates and mineral oil and the like – organic skincare in favours nicer sounding ingredients like rosehip and almond oil.</p> <p>But are these alternatives any better than your standard cleanser and moisturiser or is it all just another version of "bottled water"?</p> <p>Short answer is yes – to both these questions.</p> <p><strong>“Organic” defined</strong></p> <p>According to Sydney-based dermatologist and spokesperson for the Australasian College of Dermatologists Dr Natasha Cook, the main issue in the debate about natural or organic skincare is how these terms are applied.</p> <p>"There really isn't a debate about whether natural is better," she tells Fairfax.</p> <p>"The periodic table is natural; these are chemicals found in nature and they're the same chemicals that some companies will tell you are bad for you so it can get confusing when consumers are confronted with information that pushes a “natural” and “organic” is best philosophy."</p> <p>One of the biggest names in the beauty industry, the founder of Paula's Choice, Paula Begoun, argues against the idea that organic is better than "synthetic" skincare, primarily because organic products tend to be heavily laced with volatile and fragrant essential oils such as peppermint, lavender and orange.</p> <p>However, Begoun also believes that the parfums found in many over the counter products are equally as bad for the skin and that good skincare should be completely fragrance-free.</p> <p>Have you been buying “organic” make-up since the trend toward whole-foods started? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by Benjamen Judd. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong></a></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/09/tips-for-treating-dry-skin/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 tips for treating dry skin</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/09/greenpeace-want-to-ban-microbeads-in-beauty-products/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Greenpeace want to ban microbeads in beauty products</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/08/things-to-eat-and-drink-to-make-your-skin-glow/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">6 things to eat and drink to make your skin glow</span></em></strong></a></p>

Beauty & Style

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Great grandmother gives up spot on organ transplant list for younger woman

<p>An American woman has selflessly forgone a liver transplant so that she could save the life of a woman younger than her.</p> <p>Benda Jones, 69, had joined a transplant waiting list after she was diagnosed with liver failure a year ago, local broadcaster <em>WFAA-TV</em> reports. On July 18 of this year, she got the call announcing that a liver had become available for her.</p> <p>However, when Mrs Jones reached Baylor University Medical Centre hospital for the surgery, she discovered that 23-year-old Abigail Flores had also just arrived in the emergency room. Doctors told Miss Flores that without a new liver, she would live another day at best.</p> <p>So, when doctors approached Brenda with the information, she felt compelled to step aside.</p> <p>“In my heart, I wouldn’t have been able to live with the liver if I had let this little girl die," she said.</p> <p>Ms Flores is now recovering in hospital and thanks god for Brenda’s good deed “each and every day”.</p> <p>"If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be sitting right here right now,” she said.</p> <p>And in a true happy ending, Mrs Jones has now also undergone surgery and received a new liver.</p> <p>What a special person. Are you an organ donor? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/08/grandson-surprises-grandparents-with-brand-new-car/"><em>Grandson surprises grandparents with brand new car</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/08/police-make-dinner-for-lonely-elderly-couple-found-in-tears/"><em>Police make dinner for lonely elderly couple found in tears</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/08/bride-walked-down-the-aisle-by-man-who-received-her-fathers-heart/"><em>Bride walked down the aisle by man who received her father’s heart</em></a></strong></span></p>

News

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Grandpa goes to beautiful lengths to save his grandson’s life

<p>A grandfather in the US has come up with an ingenious idea to save his grandson, who was born with just one kidney which doesn’t function properly. Unfortunately, Howard Broadman will be too old to donate a kidney by the time grandson Quinn needs a transplant, so he’s done the next best thing – a “kidney voucher”.</p> <p>This would involve Broadman donating a kidney to a stranger now, while he is able, in exchange for a “kidney voucher”. This credit could then be used by Quinn when the time comes that would place him at the top of the waitlist.</p> <p>Together with Dr Jeffrey Veale, the loving grandfather set up the UCLA Kidney Transplantation Exchange program, which he kicked off by donating one of his kidneys to a patient on the waitlist.</p> <p>“This is groundbreaking and could completely change the field of transplantation,” Dr Veale said. “The demand for a kidney transplant is tremendous, but with this program, I would argue that, for the first time in history, we can actually start reducing the number of people who are on the waitlist.”</p> <p>What an incredible and selfless idea. Do you think a program like this should be introduced in New Zealand? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/07/cancer-survivors-prove-scars-are-beautiful/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Cancer survivors prove scars are beautiful</em></span></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/06/teacher-donates-kidney-to-student/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Teacher donates kidney to her student</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/01/grandma-donates-kidney-to-sick-toddler/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Grandmother donates kidney to two-year-old grandson</strong></em></span></a></p>

News

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Teacher donates kidney to her student

<p>A teacher in the US has gone above and beyond the call of duty, donating a kidney to her 8-year-old student in need.</p> <p>After suffering for years from prune belly syndrome (a group of birth defects which affects the kidneys), Natasha Fuller is finally on her way to living a normal life, after her teacher Jodi Schmidt donated one of her kidneys to the young girl.</p> <p>“She has been sick her whole life, so she feels like that’s normal for her, and I’m just excited to watch her actually feel good,” Schmidt told <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/teacher-volunteers-to-donate-her-kidney-to-first-grade-student-661200451862" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">NBC News</span></strong></a>. The teacher says that discovering she was a match was “the best day ever”.</p> <p>In a statement released on Facebook, the Fuller family said both donor and recipient were recovering well. “Thanks to Jodi’s amazing gift and support of her family, we are with Tasha as she recovers and gets stronger after the transplant,” they said. “Her doctors […] say that everything went well and that we could not have asked for a better organ.”</p> <p>Thanks to Schmidt’s selfless gift, Fuller no longer has to rely on dialysis and can finally be as healthy and happy as she always wanted to be.</p> <p>What’s the most generous gift you’ve ever received from someone? Tell us about it in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/06/supermarket-worker-random-act-of-kindness/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Supermarket worker’s random act of kindness goes viral</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/06/three-lifelong-friends-celebrate-100th-birthdays-together/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>3 lifelong friends celebrate 100th birthdays together</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/06/sports-team-helps-elderly-man/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Primary school sports team help elderly man move firewood</strong></em></span></a></p>

News

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Mothers emotional letter to baby’s organ donor

<p>Seven-month year old Lincoln Seay received a heart in the nick of time last month, thanks to the humility of an organ donor.</p> <p>The new born has a rare condition called Heterotaxy Syndrome, which means his organs developed on the opposite side of the body, including his heart. Since birth, Lincoln has undergone multiple surgeries, but his heart continued to fail him even putting him into cardiac arrest. </p> <p>Lincoln was on the organ donation waitlist for 89 days before something incredible happened. On February 19th, he was given a new heart from an anonymous donor.  Dr. Michael McMullan, told the Seattle Times that Lincoln was "He was right on the edge.”</p> <p>"We have a list of patients and he was the one we were most worried about," he added. </p> <p>Because of organ donation privacy regulations, all Lincoln's mother knows is that the heart was received from another child of similar size to her son. Unable to thank them herself, she wrote a touching, open latter on social media.</p> <p> <em>"You and I may never meet, may never speak, may never cross paths, but we will be connected on a divine, spiritual level. Your child and mine will be forever intertwined as the heart that grew in your womb now pumps the blood through the body of the child created in mine. They have merged in a way, and your child will forever live on in mine. When my child bleeds, I will think of you. When I bandage his scraped knee, I will think of you. When I hear his heart beat, I will remember you. When his eyes flutter closed as he falls asleep, I will remember your beautiful child. I will say prayers of gratitude and blessings over your family, often. I will treasure the gift you've given. I promise. </em></p> <p><em>"I am so very sorry that your child's journey ended so soon. I am so very sorry that you endured life's greatest grief. I am just, so very sorry. But I hope that in your sorrow you can take comfort in knowing that you gave life. You gave life to other children. You gave comfort to other families. Your sweet child can live on in the lives of others. That is the greatest gift anyone can ever give. And your child gave that to my beautiful boy. Your child gave that to me. To my family. Your selfless act kept our family whole and spared me, a mother you've never met, the same grief you had to endure."</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/02/vintage-photos-capture-pure-innocence-of-children/">Vintage photos capture the pure innocence of children</a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/02/how-to-bring-up-a-happy-child/">22 tips for bringing up a happy child</a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/02/heartwarming-photos-that-prove-every-child-needs-a-pet/">15 heartwarming photos that prove every child needs a pet</a></strong></span></p>

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Is organic meat and dairy really the best option?

<p>Organic meat and milk could offer more health benefits than conventional products, according to a new wide-ranging study by British researchers from Newcastle University.</p> <p>Published in the <em>British Journal of Nutrition</em>, the largest study of its kind of date looked to see if there was any nutritional differences between organic and its conventional counterpart. In other words, is organic products worth the extra few dollars, nutritionally-wise at least?</p> <p>Analysing the data from 196 studies of milk and 67 papers on meat around the world, the researchers found obvious nutritional differences between conventional and organic meat and dairy.</p> <p>Both organic meat and milk provide 50 per cent more of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important in human nutrition. Organic meat also has slightly lower concentrations of two saturated fats that have been linked to greater risk of cardiovascular disease.</p> <p>Organic milk contains 40 per cent more linoleic acid, as well as carries slightly higher concentrations of iron, vitamin E and some carotenoids. However, conventional milk has 74 per cent more iodine and slightly more selenium, two minerals essential for healthy development.</p> <p>“People choose organic milk and meat for three main reasons: improved animal welfare, the positive impacts of organic farming and the perceived health benefits. But much less is known about the impacts on nutritional quality, hence the need for this study,” said lead author Professor Carlo Leifert of the Nafferton Ecological Farming Group at the University of Newcastle.</p> <p>“Several of these differences stem from organic livestock production and are brought about by differences in production intensity, with outdoor-reared, grass-fed animals producing milk and meat that is consistently higher in desirable fatty acids such as the omega-3s, and lower in fatty acids that can promote heart disease and other chronic diseases.”</p> <p>Chris Seal, co-author and professor of food and human nutrition at Newcastle said “Omega-3s are linked to reductions in cardiovascular disease, improved neurological development and function, and better immune function. Western European diets are recognised as being too low in these fatty acids and the European Food Safety Authority recommends we should double our intake. But getting enough in our diet is difficult. Our study suggests that switching to organic could go some way towards improving intakes of these important nutrients.”</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2015/12/6-signs-you-need-more-sleep/">6 signs you need more sleep</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/01/side-sleeping-avoid-neurological-disease/">Your sleep position linked to diseases</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2015/12/women-have-a-harder-time-sleeping-than-men/">Why do women have a harder time sleeping than men?</a></em></strong></span></p>

News

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Mother hears baby son’s donated heart beating inside girl

<p>A mother whose seven-month-old son died suddenly has now heard her boy's beating heart inside the young girl whose life he saved.</p> <p>In an incredibly emotional moment, Heather Clark places a stethoscope on the chest of four-year-old organ recipient Jordan Drake. When she hears the heartbeat, she begins sobbing.</p> <p>Jordan’s mother, Esther Gonzalez, whispers to Clark, “That’s your baby.”</p> <p>It was the first time in three years, Clark had heard the heartbeat of her late son Lukas.</p> <p>It was "the happiest day of her life since her son was born," Donate Life Arizona Media Relations Coordinator Jacqueline Keidel told CBS News.</p> <p>When Clark's son died suddenly in June 2013, she agreed to donate his organs – a decision that ended up saving three lives, including Drake’s.</p> <p>"I knew if Lukas could prevent another family from experiencing the loss that I felt, that's what I needed to do," Clark said.</p> <p>Lukas’s heart saved Drake’s life, who at just 18 months old was fighting to live due to a congenital heart defect.</p> <p>While Gonzalez is happy a “miracle” saved her baby girl, she couldn’t help but cry for her donor family.</p> <p>"Whoever they were. I knew they had just lost a child," she said.</p> <p>While the reunion was years in the making, the two women hope their emotional meeting will inspire others to consider organ donation.</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/12/life-lessons-from-grandparents/">Top 10 life lessons kids learn from grandparents</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/5-types-of-grandparents/">There are 5 different types of grandparents – which one are you?</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/parents-and-kids-who-look-identical/">10 pics of parents and kids who look identical</a></em></strong></span></p>

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How to grow an organic veggie garden

<p><em><strong>Over60 community member, Norah Martin, who is currently obsessed with working on her new garden, shares her top tips for growing organic.</strong></em><em><strong> </strong></em></p> <p>Even though I usually do not travel during the summer, I visited Rome three years ago and the things that swept me off my feet were not the tourist attractions and medieval monuments, but the food. I stayed at a nice family-owned hostel that had its own little garden on the rooftop and they grew their own vegetables, completely organic and completely natural. After only a few meals, I knew this is something I simply had to try on my own!</p> <p>For me, the biggest benefit I have from my organic garden is knowing that what you eat is healthy and completely chemical-free, which you cannot count on with vegetables you buy in a supermarket. Moreover, I spend less on groceries and have a bigger choice of herbs. But the thing I love the most about this hobby is that I have a chance to spend time outside and literally taste the fruits of my labour – there is no bigger satisfaction for a nature lover than that.</p> <p>For those who want to know how to grow organic food, here are a few useful tips that I’ve learnt beginning my own garden:</p> <p><strong>Location and size</strong></p> <p>Among several things a beginner gardener should pay attention to is the location of your garden. If you have a backyard – or a rooftop, like my Italian hosts – your choice of a garden location will be easy, but if you do not, be ready to sacrifice a part of your lawn in favour of some vegetables. Make sure that it has a lot of sun and is close to a water source or at least accessible by a hose.</p> <p>Regarding size, less is more – going into this adventure with a half an acre makes no sense, especially if you are a beginner like I was. Instead, go with a couple of square metres and see how things are developing. Your garden with easily expand once you acquire some basic skills and knowledge.</p> <p><strong>The choice of vegetables</strong></p> <p>Finding seeds turned out to be rather easy – I simply asked around my neighbourhood and got more than enough I needed for starters. Additionally, I brought back some cherry tomato seeds with me from Rome. Once your garden starts blooming, you should collect seeds from it and ensure the continual development of your vegetables without having to use store-bought seeds.</p> <p>A very important thing to learn is when to plant certain vegetables. I usually plant things like broccoli, cabbage, kale and spinach in the spring and leave carrot, lettuce and radicchio for autumn. Since summers tend to be quite hot, I stick to only a handful of vegetables such as cucumber, peppers and tomatoes I use in refreshing summer salads.</p> <p><strong>How much water and when</strong></p> <p>Very few things can help vegetables grow as much as water and adding no fertiliser is more beneficial. That is why your organic garden needs a good watering system if you want it to grow.</p> <p>What I opted for was a drop-by-drop system which gives my plants a sufficient amount of water without overwatering. Moreover, I like using sprinkler systemsfor a more thorough watering. You can leave these on all day long, especially in the summer. However, you should look into collecting and reusing rainwater – it is not only healthier because it does not include chemicals, but also helps you with your water bills. I know mine is about 20 per cent lower since I started using it.</p> <p><strong>Protection</strong></p> <p>When it comes to protecting your crops against threats, you have to be extra resourceful to come up with an ecologically-friendly solution for your organic garden. Since you choose not to use store-bought substances, two natural ways to fight off pests are watering the soil instead of the leaves of the plants themselves (this helps reduce fungi) and planting complementary vegetables next to each other – I heard that some sorts help others with parasites, so this is what I will be looking into in the future. Finally, you should install plastic covers over your garden and a fence around it to prevent insects and other pests from entering.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/gardening/2015/06/choosing-a-potting-mix/">A guide to choosing the best potting mix</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/gardening/2015/06/diy-raised-veggie-garden/">How to set up a raised veggie garden</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/gardening/2015/05/grow-food-from-kitchen-scraps/">Foods you can (and should) grow from kitchen scraps</a></strong></em></span></p>

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15 food that aren’t necessary to buy organic

<p>As much as we love to eat organic it’s not always feasible due to cost or convenience. Luckily these 15 foods have naturally bug-repellent skin and require less human intervention to grow, meaning they’re ok to eat without organic certification. </p> <ol> <li>Asparagus</li> <li>Avocados</li> <li>Cabbage</li> <li>Cantaloupe</li> <li>Cauliflower</li> <li>Eggplant</li> <li>Grapefruit</li> <li>Kiwi fruit</li> <li>Mangoes</li> <li>Papayas</li> <li>Pineapples</li> <li>Sweet corn</li> <li>Sweet peas</li> <li>Onions</li> <li>Sweet potatoes </li> </ol> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/08/secret-disney-world-tunnels/">Secret underground tunnels below Disney World unearthed</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/08/blind-photographer/">Blind photographer takes stunning black and white photos</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/08/cockatiel-lip-syncs-nelly-dilemma/">This cockatiel can perfectly lip-sync</a></strong></span></em></p>

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