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Program 15, January 16

2001

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

There's alot more awareness now of the harm alcohol can do to adeveloping fetus.  And more awareness of the cost.

A recent studyestimated that it costs nearly 1 and a half million dollars intreatment and care for every child born with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Twenty years ago, Chris Margetson was pregnant and an alcoholic.  Andnow two people have to live with the fallout of FAS.

 

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Can Prayer Heal?

Keep a diary and improve your chances of surviving cancer?  It may not be as far fetched as it sounds. 

A new study says that things like meditiation, relaxation and group support can prolong the life of cancer patients.  

An interview with Alastair Cunningham,co-author of the study and a senior scientist at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.

Next Week

January 23, 2001

Gene Therapy for the Heart

When a U.S. teenager died after receiving gene therapy, the revolutionary treatment received alot of bad press.

  And it's true that gene therapy hasn't produced the benefits doctors had hoped to see.  But here in Canada, researchers are running clinical trials on gene therapy for the leading cause of death -- heart disease.

And the results, so far, are promising.  Jack Finn believes the treatment saved his life.

Next Week

January 23, 2001

Restraining the Elderly

No one likes to talk about it, but there are still situations where the elderly and the chronically ill are restrained so that they don't fall out of a chair or out of their bed.  Is this practise humane?

Is it a necessary evil to keep patients from hurting themselves, or a barbarous practise that's indicitive of a healthcare system more intent on cost-cutting than patient care?