Derech Hateva 2017.Pub
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Derech HaTeva A Journal of Torah and Science A Publication of Yeshiva University, Stern College for Women Volume 21 2016-2017 Editors-In-Chief Allison Tawil | Elana Perlow Co-Editors Hannah Piskun | Miriam Saffern Cover Design Miriam Rosenblum Layout Design Shmuel Ormianer Printing Advanced Copy Center, Brooklyn, NY 11230 Acknowledgements The editors of this year’s volume would like to thank Dr. Harvey Babich for all of the time and effort that he puts into this journal. Even as Dr. Babich was recovering from his accident, students were not deprived of his guidance and assistance for all matters (emails almost every day of summer opportuni- ties, positions in labs, editing articles, recommendation letters…). Dr. Babich’s dedication to his students is nothing short of legendary, and Stern was not the same in the months of his recovery. We’re so happy to have you back where you belong. Thank you for everything. The publication of Volume 21 of this journal was only possible thanks to the generosity of the following donors: Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Babich Rabbi Joel and Dr. Miriam Grossman Dr. Fred and Dr. Sheri (Rosenfeld) Grunseid Mr. and Mrs. Sam Koslowsky Rabbi Dr. and Mrs. Edward Reichman Mr. and Mrs. Morris Rosenthal Rabbi and Mrs. Baruch Solnica Mr. and Mrs. Mordechai Spitz Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Solomowitz Dr. Howard and Dr. Leah Weintraub Torah Activities Council YU Undergraduate Admissions We thank you for making this opportunity possible. Allison Tawil Elana Perlow Hannah Piskun Miriam Saffern Dedication In prior volumes of Derech HaTeva the coeditors authored the dedication. For this issue, I requested permission to compose the dedication. In November, 2016, while crossing the street, a vehicle struck me and fractured five verte- brae. As a result, I spent about 2-3 weeks in a hospital and 5-6 weeks in rehabilitation centers. It is most appropriate to state the blessing , “Blessed are You, HaShem, our God, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive and has sustained us and brought us to this season.” I would like to dedicate this volume of Derech HaTeva to all those who reached out to me in my time of crisis. Specifically, appreciation is expressed to the SCW administration, Dean K. Bacon, Dean E. Orlian, and Mrs. M. Schechter, to my colleagues both within the Biology Department and in other departments, to the students of SCW for their continuous prayers and well wishes, to Allison Tawil and Elana Perlow, who served as editors-in-chief of Derech HaTeva, and to the co-editors who volunteered to transform the manuscripts into a beautiful publication, to the rabbi of my shul, Rav Yisroel Reisman, Agudath Yisrael of Madison, and to the congregants, to my wife, children, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, brother and sister-in-law, and to Mark Platnick, who assisted in my transport to and from medical facilities. Two specific friends deserve special recognition, Louis (Eli) Goldberg, who probably saved my life by having my X-rays reread (but, this time correctly) and to David Jacobson, who put in much effort to make my return home to be as smoothly as possible. In 2016, Susan Jacobson, beloved wife of my friend, David, passed from this world to the next. Susan personified an eishes chayil; this volume is dedicated in her memory. I know that Sarah Malka bas Aharon, of blessed memory, who always accepted whatever Hashem deemed best for her, will be our advocate in the world above in the years to come. Harvey Babich, Ph.D. Biology Department The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. (Tehillim 19:2) Table of Contents Elana Apfelbaum, Gene-ocide -The Quest for Genetic Perfection ....................................................... 11 Hannah Baum, The Beginnings of Bad Breath .......................................................................................... 16 Talia Bean, Worth Their Weight in Gold: Prosthodontics in the Talmud ............................................. 18 Gabriella Ben Hutta, Don’t Let the Dead Go to Waste: Autopsy and Jewish Law ................................. 21 Tehilla Berger, The Historical Evolution of the Perceived Liver as Evident in the Bible, Talmud, and Rabbinic Literature ................................................................... 23 Jordana Gross, A Sound Body is a Sound Mind: A Connection Between Religious Observance and Mental Health ........................................................................... 26 Ariella Kerendian, Ancient Maladies: An Exploration of Disease and Pathophysiology in Tanach and in the Talmud ........................................................................... 28 Tova Lejtman, The Mitochondrial Replacement Theory in Jewish Law ................................................ 30 Judy Leserman, Articulation in Jewish Practice .......................................................................................... 33 Yonina Loskove, What Came First: The Bible or the Gene? ..................................................................... 35 Daniella Marcus, Eye Opening Observation: the Connection between Yeshiva Students and Myopia ........................................................................................ 38 Hannah Piskun, Gastroenterology in the Era of the Talmud ............................................................ 40 Batsheva Reich, Lycanthropy from Nebuchadnezzar to Modern Times .............................................. 42 Amanda Rubin, Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy ................................................................................ 44 Rivka Salhanick, Yoga: Is it Kosher? ......................................................................................................... 46 Tehilla Sollofe, Veterinary Medicine in the Talmud ........................................................................ 49 Rachel Somorov, A.C.H.O.O. .................................................................................................. 51 Yael Sterental, Bloodletting: A Timeless Practice ............................................................................. 54 Allison Tawil and Dr. Levy Amar, One Pasuk, a lot to Learn .................................................... 56 Amira Tepler, BRCA and the Jewish Community: What You Need to Know ...................................... 58 Kelley Tripp, Kidneys Cannot Talk, But the Body Surely Hears Them ............................................... 60 Maia Wiesenfeld, The Infectious Opposition to HPV Vaccination in the Jewish Community ................. 62 Diana Yakobov, Tzara’at and Melanoma ..................................................................................... 65 Dr. H. Babich, Dinosaurs and Wooly Mammoths—is there a Torah Viewpoint? ................................. 67 By Elana Gene-ocide -The Quest for Genetic Perfection Apfelbaum Technology is transforming the medical field as the world couples should have the right to select desired genes for knows it. Whether facilitating new scientific discoveries, their child, rather than limiting gene-control only to those accurate diagnoses, efficient and sophisticated treatment, exclusively pertaining to health. or patient management, biotech provides tools to service Some find the idea of selecting preferable genes to be the needs of both doctors and patients. Due to the eerily similar to eugenics utilized by the Nazis to wipe out creation of new technologies, surgical procedures are millions of people during World War II. The technology, if improved with tools that minimize recovery length and misused, could be dangerous. For instance, one bioethicist, risk of infection; technological implants are able to regulate Julian Savulescu, believes that the use of artificial normal bodily function; advanced prosthetics are designed reproductive technologies is a form of such eugenics [3]. with enhanced functionality; effective medicines are By selecting the “best” embryo, one effectively destroys created; cures for chronic illnesses are progressing. For the less desirable genomes. Savulescu posits that one must instance, 3D imaging allows for the discovery of suitable realize that children are a gift from G-d, and, therefore, ligands to block active sites of harmful proteins and their destiny cannot be humanly controlled. Contrarily, prevent disease. Even hospital rooms employ philosopher David Heyd points out that gender selection is technological advances for the betterment of their patients, not equivalent to eugenics, rather, it simply provides such as the implementation of circadian lighting. As parents with reproductive autonomy [4]. Reproductive scientists increase the available information, technology is decisions are already subject to the parents’ personal able to assist in turning the research into reality. At this desires with regard to aspects such as timing of conception point, the artificial reproductive technology that will enable and number of children. Giving parents additional parents to select “favorable” traits for their offspring is just procreation options is merely an extension of their around the corner. inherent rights, yet other experts fear the ultimate creation These “designer babies” are subject to debate among those of two unequal societal classes. While the upper class in the ethics community [1]. Many science fiction films and possesses the monetary means to pursue procedures that novels, such as Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, depict enhance their children’s genotypes, thereby contributing to the disastrous effects of controlling