The Starting Gate
offers an in-depth understanding of the factors that may be responsible for the
low-birth weights in this country. The disparity between white and black babies
birth weights are staggering and the book puts forth two main theories that may
be driving this phenomenon; social inequality and genetics. These prevailing
theoretical frameworks both have validity and are, more than likely, working in
conjunction to cause low-birth weights. Subsequently, a debate has naturally
arisen from these seemingly sound hypotheses; which one plays a larger role in
the low-birth weights?
Although this
debate is academically stimulating, I think the more important question should
be: which one do we have more control over? I am aware that there is a
substantial amount of research in the field of human genetics, which may show
promise in the years to come, however, social inequality may be more malleable
or “changeable” in terms of social intervention. If both genetics and social
inequalities are factors in the health-care debate, would it not be more
logical to focus on an aspect in which we have more control over?
With that being
said, the real question then becomes: would it actually be “easier” or more
realistic to create social interventions that diminish social inequalities or
to rely on genetic research to solve this national problem? Although it may not
be easy, I believe that it is more realistic to create social interventions
that focus on those at risk and provide the facets of health-care or nutrition
that they would otherwise lack due to social or economic inequalities. If these
interventions do not work, then it would be safe to say that genetics play a
substantial role in the low-birth weights. However, if the interventions show favorable
results, then it proves that social factors are more important to baby’s birth weight.
Also, because LBW babies are more prone to give birth to LBW babies, assuming that the intervention works, then it may eliminate the vicious
cycle of low-birth weights. In a way the social intervention may also be
addressing genetic factors in a hypothetical sense.
This concept of social interventions to determine if its purely genetics or has to do with social inequalities seems like a viable way to answer the question presented in the book. It will also help alleviate the difficulties these families that produce low birth weight children face since the majority seem to come from low-income houses. I’m sure the results of this research will point to the fact that it does not involve genetics as much as it does complications during the pregnancy but that claim will not be verified unless this proposed study is carried out.
ReplyDeleteIn theory, I think that a social intervention is a good indicator as to what causes low birth weight, however, I think that social and biological factors are too intertwined to isolate them. Therefore, it would be difficult to determine if any changes that occur are due solely to the social intervention or if during the intervention, something biologically was triggered. As discussed in lecture, Barker's hypothesis suggests that fetal development is the crucial period where everything about the baby's life is programmed. The lifestyle of the pregnant mother determines the rest of her child's life. This theory backs up the idea that I agree with that social factors expose genes that were already predetermined. It makes it very difficult to say for sure what is a social reaction and what is a biological reaction.
ReplyDeleteI feel that a social intervention would be extremely helpful in determining the true causation of low-birth weights in babies. However, what if there is really no specific cause of low birth weight, and what if it can't be pinpointed? It could take years to figure out the specifics and for every low-birth weight baby it could be a different cause. Some could be racial, economic, living standards, genetics or a combination of a couple or a few of these. I do agree that it is more realistic to create social interventions and get people the health care and the benefits they need and see what happens from there. But then even if there is a drop how do you know for sure that it was the health care and not another factor? The fact that genetics plays a role in low-birth weight babies makes the whole concept a lot more difficult no matter what aspect you try to solve it from, because genetics is harder to look at more time consuming and expensive. Although we definitely do have more control over the social perspectives, it is hard to make progress in finding out the true causes of the vicious cycle of LBW babies.
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