Recent News Stories

I love checking the news and finding information about the topics we have discussed in Bio 100. It makes me feel like the class is more worthwhile when you're learning about these current events.

Legal Marijuana Infused Soda
A new marijuana soda is hitting the shelves in California and stirring some controversy.
Some questions to think about:

• Are these products causing people to put more pressure on their doctors to get them a prescription for it?
• If you could put marijuana in a beverage - then would it be able to be used as a topical anesthetic? In other words, could you rub a marijuana solution on your arm before getting a shot so it doesn't hurt? Why or why not?

School Lunches and Government Funding

This news story presents another way the federal government can regulate the sale of junk food. Instead of taxing junk food, the government has been providing additional funding to schools who are serving healthier options.
Some questions to think about:

• For those who think the government should stay out of it completely: If the government shouldn't decide what to feed students at lunchtime... who should?
• At the end of the segment they talk about the need for additional funding and how the 6 cent increase makes a big difference. Could this additional funding come from a soda tax? Is that taking it too far?
• Is it more important for an individual to eat healthily as a child or as an adult? What factors would you need to consider?

New Antidepressant With Fewer Side Effects Gets Approval

This last story is about a new Antidepressant medication that got FDA approval this past week. The drug  works the same way as those discussed in class in combination with another mechanism.