by: Giovanni J.R.C.

Throughout history, man has sought the basis for the transmission of different traits. In ancient Greece, for example, it was speculated that the blood had something to do with the inheritance of specific traits (up until now the word "blood" is still used to denote ones ancestry). This was changed however, in the 20th century upon the discovery of the properties of genes through the experiments performed by Gregor Mendel. Mendel was an Austrian Roman Catholic monk in the 1840s who performed his experiments on the hereditary traits of seeds on the monastery grounds. Through his works, he was able to observe and document the transfer of different phenotypic traits of specific plants. And in the 1940's, scientists furthered these studies through the recognition that genes where directly responsible for the transferring of traits from parent to offspring. The progress of these studies led to a new branch of science called genetics that eventually brought a new perspective in medicine. Now genetics and the products that have been produced through research and development have been utilized in the treatment of many different disorders. Somatotropin, for example, has been artificially produced through cloning or through transgenic organisms for the use in treating Prepubertal Dwarfism and other growth disorders. Through advancements in genetic research, scientists bring forth to medicine the ability to treat not only fatal disorders but also deformities that are physical in nature, and though these treatments are necessary for those with such physical disorders, misuse of such products may lead to rampant abuse from people who do not need such measures.

Prepubertal Dwarfism is a form of dwarfism that is caused by insufficient production of hormones due to genetic mutations in the body. And although the life span nor any other systems in the body of the person who suffers from this disorder is not affected, there are, however, some physical deformities that distort the person's appearance. These phenotypes may include an extremely small trunk despite of a normal sized head, and the person may also have short extremities1 . Though a relatively none fatal disorder, Prepubertal Dwarfism may still be a disabling disease for those who suffer from it. Since they have very limited body movements and are incapable of doing certain social functions, the need for medical treatment is unavoidable.

Somatotropin, or more commonly known as Human Growth Hormone (HGH), is one of the administered treatments for Prepubertal Dwarfism1 . HGH is naturally produced in the body and is one of the many endocrine hormones ( like progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, melatonin and DHEA) that decline in production as age progresses 2. Lack of such a hormone in the body may cause hypoglycemia, hypoproteinemia and prepubertal dwarfism1 . HGH is the most abundant hormone secreted by the pituitary gland and is produced at the rate that peaks during adolescence. Daily growth hormone secretion diminishes with age and is primarily released during sleep. The hormone is immediately converted in the liver to become a metabolite called Insulin-like Growth Factor type 1 (IGF 1) or Somatomedin C. And most of the effects of HGH are directly associated with IGF 1 2.

Somatotropin replacement for those who suffer from its deficiency such as prepubertal dwarfism is now administered in order to correct deformities that it causes. And recently, recombinant human growth hormone had been approved by the FDA for its use in medical treatment 3. This gives people who suffer from such disorders a better chance of fending off

disability and having a greater chance to live a normal life. In addition, through such a technology as recombinant human growth hormone treatment, scientists are now also able to make significant advances in the treatment of other disorders such as AIDS. According to research done in the UCSF-affiliated general hospital in San Francisco, patients who took daily injections of the human growth hormone gained significant amounts of weight (lean body mass in particular) 4. And though results may vary from patient to patient, studies show that daily intake of HGH greatly reduced the suffering of AIDS patients from AIDS-associated wasting which greatly compromised their ability to perform normal tasks.

The different successes of recombinant human growth hormone treatments, such as HGH intake, greatly benefit patients who suffer from its deficiency in the body (such as prepubertal dwarfism). It also gives a greater chance for patients who suffer from the AIDS virus to live a relatively healthier and perhaps a longer life. These advances in medicine, however, may also be abused by those who do not necessarily need any such treatments.

HGH replacement is clinically proven to enhance muscle mass, reduce fat and improve the over all physical built of a patient. It is also proven to increase energy and is supposed to bring back mental acuity as a result of the improvement of the vascular and intracellular nutrient support for cells5 . With this knowledge, many who seek to regain some of their youth, look to somatotropin as a way to bring themselves back to their past vigor. And since somatotropin declines in production as the body ages, the artificial intake of this hormone proves to be the catalyst in reducing the aging process. And though it may seem extremely inviting to steadily aging people to try such a therapy, it is still necessary to consider whether such an action is appropriate or not.

Looking at history, it is evident that a person's advanced age is considered as a mark of knowledge and experience. He or she is sought after as an elder of the community and is revered by his or her peers. In this day in age, however, the roles are inverted and aging is considered to be an irreversible decline of a person’s worth and use in society. Thus, in order to end the discrimination of the elderly it is necessary to re-educate society and to exercise a person's abilities and talents despite of his or her age and not by something so temporary like HGH therapy. For no matter the argument a person may use for the unnecessary intake of HGH or any other hormone therapy, it is still nothing more than a higher and more advanced form of drug abuse.

In conclusion, the works of many research scientists from the past have led to the development of a relatively new branch of science called genetics. Now genetics have been the catalyst in the advancement of medical technology through research in genetic disorders and its treatment. Somatotropin or Human Growth Hormone therapy is one of these treatments that this branch of science had developed to treat HGH related disorders such as prepubertal dwarfism. In addition to this use of HGH therapy, new researches also proved its affectivity on the treatment of AIDS related wasting that would normally decrease the life span of a patient if remained unchecked. Therefore, this advancement in medical technology brings forth a new type of treatment that gives hope to those patients who are in dire need of such a therapy. However, there are those who also seek to abuse such a technology for their own selfish purposes. These people, out of vanity exploit such important cures for the purpose of vanity and the pointless pursuit of agelessness. Though many may condone such actions and give ramifications regarding such actions, it is still unquestionably nothing more than a different form of drug abuse.

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