Robot surgeon 'spiralled out of control' after hitting nurse …

Kevin Donald | 8 Nov 2018 | MailOnline

WBAMC first in DoD to use robot for surgery 160502-A-EK666-484
WBAMC first in DoD to use robot for surgery | Photo not specifically related to story
A surgeon has described the tense atmosphere in an operating theatre as a pioneering robotic heart operation went catastrophically wrong. At one point one of the assisting medics had his arms knocked by the robot which was being used to repair retired music teacher and conductor Stephen Pettitt's heart valve, an inquest was told…

Speaking about gaining patient consent, Mr Nair said: 'I made it clear to him that he is going to be the first robotic mitral valve repair patient.

‘I had explained to him about risks. I agree, I did not tell him he ran a higher risk being the first robotic mitral valve patient.’

Asked if he was keen to get the robotic mitral valve replacement surgery up and running, he said: ‘Developing it in a country is something an innovative surgeon would be looking to do.’

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What is consciousness?

Xavier Symons | 24 Nov 2018 | BioEdge.org

Noetic Medal of Consciousness and Brain Research
Noetic Medal of Consciousness and Brain Research
Brain organoid research is advancing at a rapid pace. These are essentially miniature human brains grown in a laboratory from stem cells. Scientists have detected brain waves in some, which might indicate the presence of consciousness. There have also been attempts to attach brain organoids to robot machines, and to implant brain organoids in non-human animals.

Yet there is growing concern about the lack of scientific oversight of this research. In an article in The Conversation this week, Julian Koplin (Monash University) and Julian Savulescu (University of Oxford) argue that such research raises “serious ethical questions”. In particular, there is concern that brain organoids might one day develop a sophisticated form of consciousness, and resemble conscious human beings. Read more.

Angel fish
Public Domain, Link

...and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind ... the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind ...the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. -Genesis 1

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A SistersSite eBook

Flesh and Bone and The Protestant Conscience is an e-book on Amazon.com. It is 99¢ and in the Amazon lending library as well. It is also available here in PDF format. The book description follows.

Would you let your conscience be your guide?

Does God care if the skin and bone of the dead are passed along to the living for medical uses? Is organ donation OK with God? Should you sign a Living Will?

Did you know that dead organ donors are often anesthetized before their organs are removed? Do you know the current definition of death? The conscience cannot function without facts.

As we ponder the ethics of in vitro fertilization, stem cell research and man-made chimeras, our thoughts trail off. How then should we live? (Ez 33:10)

How should a Christian think about euthanasia by starvation when doctors and the state attorney general all agree it is time to withhold feeding from a brain injured patient? Some things are family matters, but someday it may be our family.

Here is a small book to help you think about whether you want to sign your driver's license, donate a kidney, cremate your loved one, and many other practical questions that may arise in the course of your healthcare decisions or watch over others.

It offers a special focus on the doctrine of the Resurrection that is related to such decisions. Sunday School classes and Bible Study groups could use this book to facilitate discussion about the issues covered.