Cockroaches and Health Essays - Bacteriology, Bacterial Diseases

General Purpose: To inform about a new discovery. Specific Purpose Statement: To inform the audience about the health benefits of cockroaches. Organizational Pattern: Topical Thesis: Molecules in the brains of cockroaches and locusts are being tested and succeeding in the treatment of bacterial infections. Introduction I.Attention Getter: An average of 18,000 people around the world die from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) each year (Webb, 2008). About 73,000 people are infected with E. Coli each year (Center for Disease Control, 2006). That is nearly equal to triple Purdue?s entire student campus dying of becoming infected each year. A new study shows molecules from cockroaches and locust brains can kill 90% of these and other superbugs (France-Presse, 2010). II.Relevance Statement: Every year or every few years, the doctor gives everyone shots to prevent infections from bacteria. Most of you do not know what is in the different types of antibiotics used to treat or prevent infections. Soon, some of your medications may include parts of brains from cockroaches and locust. III.Credibility Statement: Since fall is now upon us, flu and other seasonal sickness come with it. I conducted some research on ways to prevent catching microorganisms that are resistant to antibiotics, better known as ?superbugs?. IV.Thesis Statement: Molecules in the brains of cockroaches and locusts are being tested and succeeding in the treatment of bacterial infections. Directional Transition: I will begin by describing the study done in this new field of medicine. Body I. According to a September 2010 article published in New Scientist, extracts from the brains of locust and cockroaches can kill microorganisms which are antibiotic resistant, known as ?superbugs.? A.Various molecules from within the insect?s brains were used to fight bacteria. i.Nine distinct chemical extracts from locust brains killed Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) (Coghlan, 2010). ii.Seven other distinct chemical extracts killed Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (Coghlan, 2010). B.It is suspected the proteins in cockroach and locust brains are the reasoning for the resistance against the pathogens (Society for General Microbiology, 2010). i.Other parts of cockroaches and locust were tested, such as fat, muscle, and fluids within the body, but brain molecules were all that killed the bacterial infections (Society for General Microbiology, 2010). ii.Shark skin and other animals have also been tested; however, none were as successful (Society for General Microbiology, 2010). Directional Transition: Now that I have described the research, I will explain why these insects specifically are being used. II.Scientists have reasoning for picking the cockroach and locust as possibilities for treatments against bacteria and other pathogens. A.Locust and cockroaches live in an environment which would be very unhealthy to humans (France-Presse, 2010). i.Due to their unusual living conditions, cockroaches and locusts naturally produce own germ killers (Allen, 2010). B.Locust and cockroaches brains are their most vital organ and it must be protected at all times because if the nervous system fails the cockroach or locust will die. i.Destruction of their brains is their only death, since other limbs can grow back (Rutherford, 2010). ii.Their need for protection led scientist to believe they have something in their brains which can fight off microorganisms (Rutherford, 2010). Directional Transition: Now that I have explained why these insects are being used, I will discuss the benefits of cockroach and locust brain molecules to conventional antibiotics. III.The cockroach and locust brains being used for medication have many advantages to the original antibiotics. A.A diluted amount of molecules were used in test trials. i.90% kill rate which beats how comparable antibiotics because current antibiotics weaken bacteria and force body to fight it off (France-Presse, 2010) ii.A very lose dose was used to achieve such a high kill rate, an advantage over repetitive and high doses that are occasionally used now (Rutherford, 2010). B.In the test done, little harm or side effects were noticed. i.There were no toxic effects were seen on human brain cells. ii.All side effects are unknown due to the study being in its early stages. Directional Transition: I have now discussed the benefits, reasoning for use, and research behind the use of cockroach and locust brains being used as an antibiotic. Conclusion I.Restatement of Thesis: Molecules in the brains of cockroaches and locusts are being tested and succeeding in the treatment of bacterial infections. II.Clincher: In a few years the antibiotics you receive at your doctor visit might not be just a long name of molecules