Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!think.com!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Jack.O'keeffe From: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Re: (2 Of 2): Genetic Engineering? Message-ID: <18621@bunker.isc-br.com> Date: 11 Apr 91 04:44:54 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.isc-br.com Reply-To: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/26 - SoundingBoard, Pittsburgh PA Lines: 58 Approved: wtm@bunker.hcap.fidonet.org Index Number: 14762 [This is from the Silent Talk Conference] LB> ahhh... so just what do they do? is it a mechanical LB> replacement of the cochlea? or is it like a heart LB> transplant? what does the procedure entail? (just curious.. I LB> think I ask too many questions.. Go read a darn book Lana!) I think it would be considered closer to a heart pacemaker than a transplant, Lana. I've seen the devices, which are like a thin wire with 22 electrodes. It's implanted in the cochlea to stimulate the different hair cells. There is a coupling coil implanted under the skin in the mastoid bone behind the ear. Nothing goes in the outer ear. An external device attaches magnetically over the coupling coil. Auditory training to learn to interpret the sounds is probably the most critical determinant for favorable outcome. There have been wonderful success stories, as well as some that were not. In another message I posted an address you can write for a booklet called "Issues and Answers". It's free. The address: Cochlear Corporation 61 Inverness Drive East - Suite 200 Englewood, CO 80112 There is a toll free phone 1(800)458-4999 V/TDD but I'm not sure that would work from Calgary. This booklet probably has a positive bias toward implants, so read it with that in mind. It couldn't possibly be as biased as that absurd paper from NAD. LB> MRI? what's that? Magnetic Resonance Imaging (I think). Something like a CAT Scan, but newer technology. I guess the magnetic field from the imaging would react adversely with the implant. LB> In my opinion.. taking away the freedom of choice from LB> ANYBODY is wrong. I'm sure there are those who would argue LB> that by giving such an implant to a child is taking that LB> child's freedom of choice away. Is it? or is it presenting LB> them with a whole world of new choices to choose from. There are a multitude of choices that caring parents must make on behalf of their children. I don't buy the argument that this impinges on the child's freedom. Should we wait for a child to decide if they choose to be immunized against polio or other diseases? Some might not live to make the decision. NAD would arrogantly make the decision on behalf of ALL parents and ALL children. That's really stifling freedom to choose. ... Jack. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Jack.O'keeffe Internet: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org