Category Archives: Health

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When To Worry About Moles

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No, I’m not talking about those furry little animals that dig up the garden. I’m talking about those little brown blotches that we all have dotted over our body – beauty spots to some, ugly sunburn marks to others. We’re all told to keep a keen eye on our moles, because in rare cases they can be signs of an infection or, at worst, skin cancer. But when should you really be worried? This guide should hopefully help to clear things up.

Which moles should you worry about?

Moles comes in all shapes, sizes and colours. Most are brown or grey, and the majority are flat. They are made up melanocytes – cells that give skin its colour and pigment. Most melanocytes are spread evenly through the skin, but occasionally they grow into clusters, which in turn become moles. Adolescence and pregnancy can cause them to darken.

The types of moles that should be of concern are ‘dysplastic moles’, which can turn into melanomas (cancerous moles). The more dysplastic moles you have, the larger the risk of developing a melanoma. You should look out for moles that are noticeably bigger than all the rest, uneven in colour or smudgy in shape. Moles that change shape or become itchy or start to bleed should also be of concern.

What to do if you think you have a melanoma?

Go and see your doctor, of if you’re worried about wasting their time, talk to a doctor online who is able to set up a video chat. Show them the mole that you are worried about and they will be able to properly diagnose it for you.

You may be recommended to a dermatologist who can provide a full body scan. This unfortunately means getting every part of your body examined (even the parts where the sun doesn’t shine), but if you want to prevent any risk or have previously suffered from skin cancer or problems regarding melanomas, it is your safest bet. Sometimes it may take a year to get the all-clear. In the meantime keep doing regular examinations of your body to make sure there are no changes.

If you don’t get the ‘all clear’

Don’t worry! This doesn’t automatically mean you have the big C.

You will probably be first invited in for a biopsy, which will be able to further tell if a particular mole is benign or a melanoma. A small part of the affected skin will be taken and examined for further detail.

If treatment is needed, know that a melanoma is almost always curable when caught early. The doctor may have to take a larger area of skin than the mole covers just to clear margins.

It is important to know that most moles aren’t melanomas and that sometimes the weirdest-looking of moles can in fact be perfectly healthy. Still, it always pays to check and if you ever have a hunch that one is not right, it is always best to seek medical reassurance.

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Everyday Health Problems And How You Can Beat Them

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Even the most healthy of us experience a wellness issue from time to time. That is just the nature of being in our bodies. But there are a lot of issues that people grit their teeth and bear, but they could actually do something about. Read on to find our what they are, and what you can do to beat them and regain your health.

Breathing Problems

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Firstly there are a lot of people who suffer from respiratory issues. If you have been struggling with your breathing the first thing on the lists is to pay a visit to your doctors. Its is important to get any breathing issues looked at by a medical professional in case there is a serious underlying cause.

Once you have a diagnosis, you can also make some changes in your own life that can help to alleviate the problem.

The biggest thing that you can do to help improve your breathing is to give up smoking. You can go cold turkey, use nicotine patches, or even switch to a vape pen instead of normal smoking tobacco.

Even though you will still receive a dose of nicotine by using a vape pen, it can be hard to get used to at the beginning. That is why it’s a good idea to get it all the supplies you will need including a charger, an extra battery, and a stash of e-liquids. Or, join a flexible subscription service that will post you supplies monthly. You can look at this website for more information.

Headaches

Headaches are a very common ailment, but these can cause a significant amount of suffering. Headaches can be caused by a number of things such as allergies, dehydration, stress and even the way that we sit.

Of course, sometimes they are symptomatic of other issues.  Such as needing a stronger prescription in our glasses or the onset of migraines. If you have explored the most basic solutions like your posture and water consumption. It is best to get it checked over by a medical professional.

Backaches

Backaches are also a common problem, especially as we get older. They are often caused by overstraining to lift things, or by long-standing injuries. Backaches can be tough to deal with because it’s hard to get comfy in any one position for a length of time.

If your problem is caused by an injury then seeing a chiropractor can help. As they will be able to realign your back and other joints so there won’t be as much pressure on them.

Depression

Depression is diagnosed as a feeling of sadness or hopelessness that has been present for over two weeks. Depression is not the same as having a bad day. In fact, it can be devastating to the person suffering from it and to those around them.

Depression can affect how that person sees themselves, what choices they make and how much enjoyment they can get out of their lives. If anyone you know is suffering in this way, it is best to work in small steps. Ask them to see a medical professional first to assess the problem. Then you can help them to incorporate more exercise and a better diet into their lives.

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Don’t Put Off Talking To Your Teen About Drugs And Alcohol

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Studies show that teens who have discussions with their parents about drugs and alcohol are less likely to develop an addiction. But unfortunately, many parents are still failing to talk to their kids about this important topic. Many feel that it’s something they won’t have to worry about until their teen is older. But statistics show that many a large percentage of teens have their first alcoholic drink at 15. Kids who are just starting high school can also be offered drugs by older teens in their school. So to help your kids make smart choices, start the conversation by using these top tips.

Ask your kids what they know

One of the best ways to start this conversation is by asking your kids how much they know about drugs and alcohol. They might be embarrassed at first, but encourage them to share their knowledge. You might be surprised by just how much they know or have learned from TV or social media. This gives them an opportunity to ask you questions while also giving you a chance to fill in any gaps in their knowledge. You should also ask them whether someone has offered drugs or alcohol to them and if they tried. Encourage them to open up and share their concerns with your. Once, they have told you of their experiences and their knowledge, you can then tailor your approach more effectively.

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Talk about your experiences

During your conversation, don’t be afraid to share your past experiences with drugs and alcohol too. After all, you were a teenager once too. Talk about how you felt and what they consequences were for your actions. You don’t have to go into a lot of detail. Just share basic details that will show your kids that you have been in the same situation as them. This can be incredibly insightful for your teen as they can learn from your mistakes and make better choices. It can also make them more aware of how these situations can arise. You can talk through what they should say if someone offers them a substance and how to distance themselves from negative influences.

Explain what the risks are

When your kids are encouraged to try a substance by others, they are likely to be told how amazing and fun it is. If they don’t know what the risks are before this happens, this can entice them to try drugs or alcohol even more. So during your talk with them, outline what risks and consequences there are. They might get expelled, end up in hospital or rehab and even spend time in jail. While you can prevent them being offered drugs or alcohol, you can give them the knowledge they need to stay no.

While it can be easy to put off this often difficult conversation, you need to make it a priority. Talk to your teenager and answer any questions they may have with complete honesty and openness. If you suspect your teen might already have an addiction, get further advice from a young person’s rehab center.

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Banish Back Pain Forever With These Genius Ideas

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Back pain is a serious health problem for millions of people. It’s so common, and there are so many causes. With chronic back pain, you struggle to do so many things. Something as simple as sitting at a desk or standing up is now a tough task. If you do nothing about your back pain, it can lead to other health issues down the line.

So, figuring out how to tackle this pain is a big concern. In this piece, I have some ideas that can banish your back pain forever. Give them a try, and start leading a pain-free life!

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(Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/5n7m9P)

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a great way to relieve yourself from muscle pains. Many people are put off by this as they don’t like the idea of being pricked with needles. But, it’s not a painful procedure, and can be extremely effective. Primarily, acupuncture pain management is meant for your lower back. This is where a lot of muscles can get tight and painful. If you have lower back pain, it’s likely you’ll have trouble standing up for long periods, and don’t enjoy sitting either. The needles used will help stimulate blood flow in a specific area. When the blood is flowing in your lower back, it warms up the muscles, causing them to relax. The result should leave you with nice and loose muscles that aren’t causing you pain. Combine this with a massage for the best effect.

Stretching & Strengthening

There are so many causes of back pain, it can be difficult to give proper stretching advice. For anyone with disc issues, stretching your back might not be the best answer. But, for muscle problems, stretching will help cure your pain. Stretching helps release tight muscles and bring balance to your body. A common stretch for lower back pain is to get into a lunge position and stretch your hip flexor. Tense your glutes and abs to tuck your pelvis under and get a better stretch. Stretching your hips is good as there’s a muscle called the psoas that attaches to your lower back. When this gets tight, it pulls on your lower back and makes those muscles tight too. Combine stretching with strengthening exercises as well. Strengthening your abdominals and glutes is great for healing lower back pain.

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Address The Root Cause

Finally, the only way you’ll rid your back of pain is by addressing the cause of the pain. For many, back pain is caused by excessive sitting and poor posture. So, you have to ensure you set up your desk in an ergonomic fashion. Make your sitting position more posture-friendly, and stand up to take regular breaks. Similarly, if you have disk or nerve problems that cause the pain, you need to get these seen to. See a doctor and consider medical treatment for complex back pain problems.

There you have it folks, three ways you can banish back pain forever. Stop ignoring the pain and allowing your health to get worse and worse. Become pain-free and live a much healthier life.

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5 Safety Guidelines For Beginner Motorcyclists

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Motorcycles – they’re a lot of fun, cheaper to run than a car, and super convenient. But, let’s not beat around the bush, here – they are also incredibly dangerous. The cold, hard facts are that you are 30 times more likely to die on a motorbike than you are in a car. And, when you are just starting out with your new hobby, those statistics go through the roof.

That said, with a little focus on safety, the vast majority of motorcyclists never experience an accident. And in today’s guide, I’m going to take you through some of the key points you need to know to stay safe. Read on to find out more.

Don’t drink or speed

Want to reduce the odds of having a bad motorcycle accident by a significant amount? Well, the onus is on you to avoid alcohol when riding and never, ever speed. Almost 50% of motorcycle accidents are caused by the rider speeding. And 4 from every 10 involve alcohol. So, by keeping yourself in check, you will have a much better chance of survival – your fate is in your own hands in the vast majority of cases.

Too hot to handle?

There are 50-cc bikes, superbikes, and everything in between. It’s a lot of choices, but which is the right option? Many motorcyclists are obsessed with power, to the extent they can often choose bikes that are simply too much for them. Try and be sensible, and be aware that even small engines can offer an awful lot of power., As a rule, never buy a bike that feels too heavy for you. And, if you aren’t planning on traveling on the highways, there is little point buying anything over 500-750-cc.

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Suit up

Don’t underestimate how important it is to wear the right gear. In the event you have a crash, it can be the difference between survival and an untimely end. I’d like to think you are sensible enough to wear a helmet at all times, of course. But you should also invest in the correct clothing and footwear. While jeans and a t-shirt might be more comfortable, it’s a recipe for more pain than they are worth if you crash. Biking boots are essential, too. According to the reviews featured at Bikers Basics, there are some vital things to consider. Waterproofing, flexibility, and armor protection can all make the difference.

Take the MSF

There are plenty of courses you can take to learn how to ride your bike in a safe manner. Look around your local area for your nearest Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course. It will give you the basics you need to stay safe on the road, and will also teach you some advanced techniques. Not only will it keep you safe, but it might also lower your insurance premiums.

Ride defensively

Finally, when you are out on the road, always assume the worst. No matter how confident you are, it’s not always you that will be the problem. Drivers may not see you or make stupid decisions, and if you are taking risks, disaster is more likely. Always ride defensively, and avoid tailgating and risk taking.

I hope these tips help you to stay safe on the roads!

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Sneezing And Wheezing? Home Help For Allergy Sufferers

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Allergies can cause all sorts of suffering, from itchy eyes to sneezing, and runny noses to wheezing. There are times when allergies are severe enough to warrant medical attention. But for mild cases, here are a few tips that might help around the home if you or a family member suffer from allergies and needs to stay on top of their health.

Neti Pot

Ever heard of a Neti Pot? We hadn’t either until it was recommended for those suffering from allergies. If you suffer from sinus allergies, this little ceramic pot that looks like a watering can, may just be able to help you. First, you have to fill the pot with a combination of salt and hot water. And then pour the solution into one nostril while tilting your head, for it to drain out of the other nostril. You then repeat for the other side. The Neti pot comes from Ayurvedic/yoga medical practices, and it certainly helps to relieve nasal congestion, facial pain, and pressure.

Anti Allergy Pillows

If you have a dust mite allergy, it is worth investing in Luxura hypoallergenic pillows. Many allergies are triggered by inhaling dust mite allergen when you go to bed. This is because dust mites thrive in dark, humid areas where there are dead skin cells readily available. Sounds gross! But unfortunately, duvets and pillows are where these cells flourish. Anti-allergy pillows are designed to eliminate these allergies by inhibiting the growth of dust mites.

The Honey Trick

If you eat a little honey, every day will produce from bees in your region it can actually help alleviate some of your allergy symptoms if you are allergic to pollen. Eating the honey can help you become inoculated to the effects of pollen, as bees transfer pollen from the flower to the honey. Think of it in much the way when you receive a vaccine; you also receive a little of the disease. There’s not any scientific evidence to back this up, but we think it’s certainly worth a try.

Use A HEPA Filter

If you suffer from asthma or allergies, it may be beneficial to invest in a HEPA filter. We may think we are mostly allergic to the air and dander outside, but actually, our homes contain a lot of dust mites and dirt as well. Cleaning with a vacuum can help to a certain extent, but a lot of the time it just transfers the dust from one place to another. A HEPA air purifier traps allergens and airborne irritants including dirt, dust, and dander. They work well I bedrooms and living rooms to aid in purifying the air.

Take A Steam Shower

Don’t underestimate the power of steam if you are feeling clogged up. You can take a steam shower or use a steam bowl to try to clear some of your allergies. A steamy shower not only gets rid of the dirt and dust from outside but can also clear sinuses and nasal passages. The same can method works by holding your head over a bowl of hot water and inhaling deeply. Just remember to put a towel over your head to create a tent, so that you can absorb all the steam.

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Is It Really Possible To Bottle Up Your Concerns?

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We talk an awful lot about stress, often without really looking into its causes or fully understanding its effects. We might say “I’m just dealing with a lot of stress at work”. We may snap at someone, apologize and assure them that we’re just under stress. But for a lot of us, “stress” is something of a catch-all, foggy term that more or less means “I’m dealing with a lot, and it’s hard”.


The thing is, dealing with a lot is liable to cause stress. It’s one of the most common causes of chronic stress, but far from the only one. What a lot of us don’t realize is that stress is a reaction to a situation. While it can be chronic – that is, built up over time – it can also be acute. In many cases, stress is caused by a single incident that we then don’t fully process.

Sudden Bereavement

If you’ve recently lost someone, it’s common to decide to go back to work early on. You don’t want to be seen as exploiting the grief, and feel that keeping busy will be your best way of returning to some normality.

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What all such situations have in common is that people would entirely understand if the bereaved took longer to return. While too much time to think can be a problem, some counselling is the best approach here. Before you can return to work, it’s important to process what you have lost.

Witnessing A Traumatic Event

Although levels of violent crime are falling by any credible measure, humanity as a whole is more on alert for such crime. Part of this is down to the importance placed on knowing what you should do if it happens to you. But a lot is also down to the way things are reported in the news. A more high-adrenaline way of reporting news means that we’re more aware of violence.

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Someone witnessing a violent incident can be placed very much on edge by what happens. It could be something as minor as a fight between two strangers, or as major as a terrorist attack. Until this is processed fully, they keep reliving the incident. This is where critical incident stress management, or CISM solutions, come in. By talking about how the incident affected them and why, a person can put it to rest.

Arguing With A Loved One

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A situation that can affect us all too easily is if we go to work having just argued with someone we love. Although you want nothing more than to apologize and fix it, you’re at work and they’re somewhere else. You spend the whole day wishing you weren’t there, it affects every decision you make and the situation festers. A common reaction these days is to text the person to tell them you’re sorry.

Although this seems like the logical and right step, it is not necessarily so. An argument may have arisen for a number of reasons. These will need deeper discussion than your situation allows. Although an apology may be in order, it should be accompanied by a promise that you’ll talk properly later.

Simply texting “I’m sorry, you were right” just puts your loved one in an awkward situation. Either they have to accept an apology they’re not ready for, or reject it and seem like the baddie. Neither of these situations is fair on them, so take responsibility.

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Home Business Got You Seeing Red? Try Going Green

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We all know that running a home business can be stressful from time to time. For starters, it’s hard to separate work from pleasure when you’re constantly wedded to your place of work. But could going green help, if only in a small way? Check out these green ideas for your home office.

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Use Biodegradable Cleaners

 

Did you know that the majority of cleaners you use around your home contain toxic chemicals? These chemicals aren’t just bad for your health, they’re bad for your mood too. Some cleaners contain chemicals, like phthalates. These chemicals then wind up in your body, disrupting your hormones, and generally messing with your mood. What’s more, they’re bad for the environment, as many of them contain other chemicals that don’t break down in landfill.

 

Here’s a green idea that’ll help: use biodegradable cleaners. These cleaners skip a lot of the harmful chemicals ordinarily found in regular cleaning products. And they are okay for the environment to boot. Next time you run out of detergent or surface spray, opt for the environmentally friendly alternative.

 

Get Rid Of Paper

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There’s nothing more annoying in the home office than out of control piles of paper littering all your surfaces. Is there anything you can do about it?

 

Well, if you’re a paper-based business, you might think that there isn’t. Sure, there’s lots of software out there that will do the job just as well as a pen and paper. But that software can’t replace your paper-based archive, can it?

 

Well, the software that you’re using right now probably can’t. But today, there are document conversion services that are very clever. Here, you simply scan all your archived documents. Then the software will automatically categorise them for you using learning algorithms. This means that you can transfer your archives out of your office and into the cloud. That means less paper, less mess, and arguably, less rage when you come to find old documents. After all, they’ll be just as searchable as everything else online.

 

Replace Your Lightbulbs

 

Nobody who runs a home business likes getting whacked with a big electricity bill at the end of the month. According to the department of energy, about 20 percent of the energy we use at home is wasted. But something as simple as changing your light bulbs can change all that. Get rid of your old light bulbs and switch to LEDs. These use significantly less power, and they last up to ten times as long. Remember, you don’t have to opt for LED with harsh blue lights. Most LED bulbs come with shrouds that modify the light to make it appear more natural.

 

Go Green For Web Hosting

Green Web Hosting.

Green Web Hosting.

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Web hosting is a small, but annoying cost for most small businesses. But you could save a bit of money by switching to a hosting service with green credentials. Thanks to the plummeting cost of solar, many green web hosting services are cheaper than their fossil fuel competitors. This means that you can save a bit of money, and look after the environment by switching. Why not give it a go?

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Make Your Life Work For You: Keeping A Balance Between Work Life And Home Life

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Work Life Balance

 

Are you running a business? When it comes to running an organization, it’s a full-time job, especially businesses that are new. Trying to get your dream project off the ground from nothing into a fully functional organization is stressful. There could be working weeks of 60 hours or more. In addition to this, the sleepless nights and the worries they are linked with it could consume a lot more time than you think it might. And did you stop to think about how it is affecting your home life? You might have missed school recitals, birthdays or important anniversaries. So what is the best way to take back the work-life balance that you so desperately need?

 

Understand When You Work Best!

By this I mean what time of day are you most functional. If you’re running a business you need to make sure that you are doing all the tasks the best you can. A lot of people find that they function better in the morning, so if that is the case then take on the more difficult tasks at a time of day. Understanding your energy levels will help you prepare better for your work day. So the inevitable mid-afternoon energy slump can be factored into your day so you can do the most mundane tasks at that point as they don’t require as much attention as applying for a business loan. Companies such as Frosch Learning can assist when it comes to helping you understand your working practices better.

 

Leaving The Work Phone In Work!

This might be the most difficult one for many business owners. As we are so reliant on checking our phones then leaving the phone and the laptop in the office will do you good! Set up an answer phone message or an out of office email. Then you can enjoy time away from the office. It will go a long way to help maintain the boundaries between work and home life.

 

Go Far Away!

In running a business, if you can’t be sure the company will survive without you being there then you need to delegate duties to other members of staff. Sometimes the only way to test if the business will survive is for you to go far away. It may cause you a bout of separation anxiety. But getting away for a period of time will help you gain a new perspective on the organization while also reducing your duties.

 

Stress and sleep.

Stress and sleep.

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Relax!

Those that run businesses have difficulty in switching off and it’s not surprising when we all have difficulty in switching off at night. Smartphones and tablets are contributing to increased stress due to the blue light being emitted from the devices,  which causes problems with our circadian rhythm and so contribute to a lack of quality sleep, which leaves this feeling stressed or anxious or makes us take up habits that are not good for our health. We all have different triggers when it comes to stress so understanding what those triggers are for you will be a good way for you to overcome them. Finding a pursuit that relaxes you, such as meditation or yoga or spending time relaxing with your family will go some way to reverse damage from stress.

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Want Immortality? Cloning Yourself is Not the Answer!

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The issue of cloning has largely fallen off the radar, but for a while in the 1990’s, with the news of Dolly the cloned sheep, it was.

Then, there were stories which either had cloning as an issue or where something akin to it was being employed, either physically or mentally, such as the book and movie, “The Boys From Brazil”, and of course, the “Jurassic Park” series. And, there is the idea of cloning oneself to gain immortality or to make someone who thinks and acts the same.

But can this really be done? The making of a viable clone? Yes, it’s possible though the science today is still in its infancy. And no, you can’t make yourself immortal, nor can you produce a “personality twin” of yourself, either, through cloning.

All cloning does, if successful, is produce a biological twin of the person or animal, or organ or body part, being cloned, that is much younger than the original.

So, if you cloned yourself, you would not gain immortality, as the clone would not be you. It would only be a genetic copy of you and younger by as many years as you are old. You would not be seeing or feeling through the clone any more than you do through any other person. The clone is a separate being.

So, would a clone think and act as you? Again, no. Mentally, the clone could be anyone. And it would not likely matter even if the clone were raised in a duplicate way and environment as you. This is why the story, “The Boys From Brazil” could not possibly be made true. There are just too many variables within the human mind itself so that even a duplicated environment and parenting style, and even putting the same kind of people in the right places and times, if that could even be done, would not guarantee a clone being the same kind of person as the original!

So, to those who want to ban cloning because of fears of someone creating another Hitler, or of wealthy people using their money to buy immortality and having yet another advantage over the poor and middle class, your fears are completely unjustified.

What cloning can do, is bring about the possibility of making duplicate organs and body parts for people whose organs are failing. This would mean no more need for transplants, no waiting for new organs, and no fear of new organs and body parts being rejected! In addition, the stem cell controversy could also be ended, as stem cells could simply be cloned to fill the need.

This is why the banning of all forms of cloning is a bad idea!

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