The Gross Science Realm
The Remarkable Story of Fertility Drug Made from Nuns’ Urine
Did you know that one of the first fertility drugs was made from Catholic nuns’ urine? Yes, you read that right. In the 1950s, a doctor named Bruno Lunenfeld was determined to find a way to help women who were having trouble getting pregnant. He knew that when women enter menopause, they start releasing high levels of fertility hormones in their urine. So, he wondered if he could isolate those hormones and use them to help women conceive. The problem was that he needed a lot of urine from older women to test this idea, and that was not an easy thing to find.
Lunenfeld and his colleagues got special permission from the Pope to collect gallons and gallons of urine from hundreds of older Catholic nuns. And in doing so, he actually isolated hormones that are still used to help women get pregnant today. These hormones are now synthesized in a lab, and gallons of urine are no longer necessary.
This fascinating piece of history shows how scientific curiosity and innovation can lead to unexpected discoveries and advancements. It also highlights the importance of being open-minded and exploring all avenues, even if they may seem unconventional or gross at first.
This story is just one example of the many remarkable discoveries that can be made by exploring the gross side of nature, medicine, and technology. And it serves as a reminder that sometimes the most valuable insights and breakthroughs can be found in unexpected places.
Exploring the world of gross stuff: why it’s important
Talking about gross things can be a great tool for education and a way to preserve curiosity. As children, many of us are fascinated by gross things because we just want to experience as much as we can and don’t have any idea about the relative acceptability of touching a ladybug versus a stink bug. Gross experiments such as dissecting owl pellets or culturing bacteria can help children explore and understand how everything works.
However, as we grow older, we tend to suppress our fascination with gross stuff because we have learned to associate it with immorality. According to the psychologist Paul Rozin, humans have extended the concept of disgust to morality. Many of the things we categorize as gross are things that remind us that we’re just animals, such as bodily fluids, sex, physical abnormalities, and death. The idea that we’re just animals can be unsettling because it can be a reminder of our own mortality, leading to existential angst.
Engaging with gross stuff is not just about curiosity; it’s also about finding out where the limits are, pushing the boundaries of what’s OK. At a certain point, kids begin to internalize this link between disgusting things and immorality. Engaging with gross stuff can also be a way of reclaiming agency over our own bodies and health. It’s important to start this dialogue about gross stuff from an early age, so kids can know that it’s alright to have agency over their own body and health.
Why curiosity and education go hand-in-hand with talking about gross things
Talking about gross stuff can be an excellent tool for education and a great way to preserve curiosity. When we engage with gross things, we often find insights that we never would have thought possible. In the video, the speaker shares her experience of being fascinated by gross stuff from an early age, which helped her to develop her love for science.
Children are like little explorers who just want to experience as much as they can and don’t have any idea about the relative acceptability of touching a ladybug versus a stink bug. The fascination with gross stuff doesn’t go away with age; we just pretend like it’s not there. Engaging with gross stuff is not only about curiosity, but it’s also about pushing the boundaries of what’s acceptable.
The fact that we associate gross stuff with immorality can be unsettling because it reminds us that we’re just animals. But engaging with gross stuff can help us to understand the bigger picture of life on our planet. There are cycles of decay that drive forest growth, and there are networks of fungus beneath our feet that are connecting all of the plants around us.
Talking about gross stuff early and often with young people can allow them to claim this bigger picture of life on our planet. It’s important to let kids know that it’s alright to have agency over their own body and health. Doctors and the scientific community can only address issues when they know there’s something to address. By talking about gross stuff and engaging in open dialogue, we can help to fill gaps in our knowledge and promote health and well-being.
The link between disgust and morality, and how it affects our curiosity
Disgust is a powerful emotion that is closely linked to morality. In fact, some researchers argue that disgust evolved as a way to help us avoid harmful or immoral things. However, this link between disgust and morality can also make it difficult for us to be curious about things that we find disgusting.
For example, in the video, the speaker talks about how many people are disgusted by the idea of eating insects. This disgust is often linked to a moral judgment that insects are dirty or unclean. However, if we can overcome this disgust and be curious about the nutritional benefits of insects, we might be able to find new and sustainable sources of food.
Another example the speaker gives is the issue of menstrual blood. Many people are disgusted by the idea of menstrual blood, which can make it difficult to have an open and honest conversation about periods. This can lead to a lack of education and understanding about menstruation, which can have serious consequences for people who menstruate.
Overall, the link between disgust and morality is complex and can sometimes get in the way of our curiosity and desire to learn. However, by being aware of our own biases and working to overcome them, we can become more open-minded and curious about the world around us.
The importance of having a forum to talk about gross topics
Having a space to discuss and learn about gross topics is crucial. Such forums can be in the form of classrooms, social media groups, podcasts, or books. It allows us to explore things that we would otherwise avoid or shy away from. When people come together to share their thoughts and questions about gross topics, it creates a space for intellectual curiosity and understanding.
One of the benefits of having a forum to talk about gross topics is that it helps in breaking the stigma around the subject. For example, talking openly about menstruation can help reduce the taboo and shame associated with it. When we understand that everyone goes through it, we can be more empathetic and supportive.
Additionally, having a space to talk about gross topics helps in developing critical thinking skills. It enables people to learn about scientific methods and principles, and how to evaluate evidence. By discussing controversial or taboo subjects, people can learn how to make informed decisions and come to their conclusions based on sound reasoning.
Overall, having a space to talk about gross topics can help individuals broaden their knowledge and perspective on various subjects. It can also help in reducing the shame and stigma associated with certain topics, and promote empathy and understanding.
The Gaps in Scientific Knowledge Surrounding Women’s Health
The conversation around gross stuff often brings up the issue of scientific knowledge gaps surrounding women’s health. Historically, medical research has been conducted mainly on male subjects, with women’s health issues often being overlooked or not given the attention they deserve. This has led to a lack of understanding and inadequate treatment options for many conditions affecting women.
One example of this is endometriosis, a painful condition where the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of it, causing inflammation and scarring. It affects an estimated 10% of women of reproductive age, yet the average time it takes to diagnose is 7 to 10 years. This is partly due to the fact that the symptoms are often dismissed as “normal” menstrual pain, and also because of a lack of research into the condition.
Another example is the disparity in healthcare access and outcomes for women of color. Black women in the United States, for instance, have higher rates of maternal mortality and are more likely to suffer from certain conditions like fibroids, but often receive substandard care compared to their white counterparts.
Overall, the conversation around gross stuff can serve as a starting point for addressing these knowledge gaps and pushing for more research into women’s health issues. It can also help to break down the stigma and taboo surrounding these topics, leading to greater awareness and understanding.
The Surprising Benefits of Exploring Gross Things: From Neuroscience Research to Nobel Prizes
While the idea of exploring gross things may seem unappealing to some, it turns out that doing so can have significant benefits. For instance, studies have shown that exposure to disgusting stimuli can lead to increased immune function, a phenomenon known as the “behavioral immune system.”
In addition, exploring gross topics can lead to important scientific discoveries. One notable example is the discovery of the hepatitis C virus, which was only made possible through the study of blood samples from individuals who had been infected with the virus. Similarly, the development of the drug captopril, used to treat high blood pressure, was inspired by the venom of a Brazilian pit viper.
Furthermore, exploring gross things can help to break down societal taboos and stigmas surrounding certain topics, allowing for more open and honest discussions. This, in turn, can lead to important advancements in areas such as women’s health.
Finally, hugging our curiosity and willingness to explore the gross and taboo can even lead to Nobel Prizes. One example is the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded to Osamu Shimomura, Martin Chalfie, and Roger Tsien for their discovery and development of green fluorescent protein (GFP), which has become a crucial tool in modern biological research. The discovery was inspired by the bioluminescence of a jellyfish, a topic that could be considered quite “gross” to some.
In conclusion, exploring gross things may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the benefits of doing so are clear. From improved immune function to scientific discoveries and societal advancements, hugging our curiosity and willingness to tackle taboo topics can have far-reaching benefits.
Hugging our fascination with gross stuff and the unexpected discoveries it can lead to
While many of us may feel a natural aversion to the grosser aspects of life, it’s important to recognize that our fascination with these things can actually lead to unexpected discoveries and breakthroughs. By pushing the boundaries of what we find acceptable to talk about and explore, we can expand our understanding of the world and ourselves.
One example of this is the discovery of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, which was found in the stomachs of patients suffering from ulcers. The discovery of this bacteria transformed the treatment of ulcers and won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2005. Without scientists who were willing to explore the “gross” and “taboo” topic of stomach bacteria, this discovery may never have been made.
Additionally, hugging our curiosity about gross topics can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of our own bodies and health. By educating ourselves and talking openly about topics like menstruation or sexual health, we can break down stigmas and improve our overall well-being.
It’s also important to recognize that our fascination with gross things is not something to be ashamed of. By hugging our curiosity and pushing the boundaries of what we find acceptable to talk about, we can challenge societal norms and promote a more open and accepting culture.
In conclusion, while our fascination with gross things may sometimes be seen as strange or taboo, it’s important to recognize the benefits it can bring. By exploring these topics with an open mind and hugging our curiosity, we can lead to unexpected discoveries, personal growth, and a more accepting society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, exploring gross things and talking about them openly can lead to surprising discoveries and breakthroughs in science and medicine. From the discovery of a fertility drug made from nuns’ urine to the identification of a new virus that helped researchers win the Nobel Prize, studying the gross and the unusual can yield invaluable insights.
However, the topic of gross things and bodily functions remains largely taboo in society, particularly when it comes to women’s health. This lack of discussion can lead to gaps in scientific knowledge and hinder advancements in research and treatment.
It is essential to create a forum where people can talk about these topics freely without fear of judgement or shame. By fostering curiosity and education about gross things, we can encourage a more open and inclusive scientific community that welcomes diverse perspectives and experiences.
Moreover, hugging our fascination with the gross and the unusual can help us to overcome moral disgust and challenge our assumptions about what is acceptable. It can lead to unexpected connections and insights that can further our understanding of the world around us.
In short, it is time to hug our curiosity about gross things and acknowledge their potential for scientific discovery and societal progress. By doing so, we can open up new avenues for research and treatment, break down barriers to discussing women’s health, and challenge our own biases and assumptions.
