Friday May 31, 2024 – At sea en route to Greenock
Our second day at sea was restful and enjoyable as we embark on three port days in a row – Glasgow, Belfast and Liverpool.
In the first lecture, Dr. Chris Martin, having previously educated us on DNA, went into various cases that he was involved with, that either had DNA as an element tor resolving the case or dealt with the conflict that arises when advances in Medicine outrun advances in the Law or the Law treats situations in one country differently from those in another. In normal Mendelian genetics for example in the case of cystic fibrosis (CF), which is a recessive gene, if carried by both parents, then 4 outcomes are possible in the F1 (first filial) Generation – 1) A male sufferer of CF, 2) A male carrier; 3) A female carrier or 4) A female non carrier and healthy who stops the ongoing recessive gene from passing to subsequent F2 (second filial) generations. So for example in the “James Case” he was born with both parents giving him the recessive CF gene, resulting in full on CF and a life in a wheel chair. Once he reached a certain age of consent, he convinced his parents to put him on a plane, and say good bye, taking him to a country where medically assisted suicide was permitted. They eventually agreed, he was sent off and died a few days later. A week or so after this had occurred the parents were accused, tried and sentenced to murder. In the UK, it fit all the “boxes” for murder, pre-planning, actions leading to the expected outcome etc. Eventually the judge dismissed the case not on the legal basis, but rather on Public Perception basis. These sad parents had lost their son, he was in a different country when the death took place, so they were let go. DNA results are often used in paternity cases. In one case, a woman bore the illegitimate baby of a wealthy lover who was dying. She petitioned the court to save DNA samples to prove paternity when her baby was born, months after he died. Indeed it was proven and she received maintenance payments from the estate. In another case there was an issue with the placenta of a baby at birth that was to be used for certain testing. The mother wanted it to be destroyed, however, the question was – “Who is the rightful owner of the placenta”? The answer – the baby. The mother provides the womb, but the baby provides the placenta, so the judge had to decide what was in the best interest of the baby and ruled against the mother as she was not the rightful “owner”, thus had no standing. He also went through many cases where the wrong limb was operated on, surgical items were left in the body after an operation etc and explained the details of these cases. Another case was that of “Baby Cotton” where a couple could not conceive a baby so signed a legal contract for certain fees with another woman. Initial payments were made and when the child was born, it suffered from Downs Syndrome (a chromosome related disability). The parents refused to pay the bill as a Heathy Normal baby was in the contract. However, upon DNA testing it turned out that the Surrogate mother was the actual mother as the implanted gamete (a fertilized egg) did not take and it was the surrogate’s own egg that was fertilized by her husband’s sperm a day or so before the implantation. So Surrogate parents kept their own baby. There were other cases, which I found fascinating, but I will end with this last one whereby young parents decided to freeze fertilized eggs (gametes) in nitrogen until their careers were on a more stable footing. They also prepared a will saying, in part, that if both of them died simultaneously, their estate was to be left to their children in equal amounts. They died in a plane crash and in probate court, the 4 fertilized eggs were the inheritors of the estate!
Next came an interesting interview to a completely full theatre to the point where there was not even standing room in the aisles. What brought out the crowds – a live in-person interview by the 40 year BBC Radio Presenter – Gary Richardson, interviewing the World Heavyweight Boxer – Frank Bruno. From his beginnings, to his Mike Tyson fight to the fight where be became the world champion, to the depths of mental despair and his charity that helps thousands of people get help with mental illnesses. A very amusing and enlightening experience.
The third lecture was by Keith Hanson – The Keeper of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. This is not the Beefeater that was on earlier and it was very interesting to hear about each of the Crown Jewels that is in the collection housed at the Tower of London. There were some 40+ items that he discussed and showed pictures of detailing the history and use of the items. Crowns, maces as well as many other items, made for an interesting time.
The Captain’s noon day announcement indicated that we have travelled 438 knots since leaving Invergorden at an average speed of 10 knots, leaving 184 knots to reach Greenock, Scotland.
We then had a snack lunch at the Pub and played a game of Darts. The first one was extremely close, with the Coopers beating the Hubps by a lucky toss. After several times of failing to end with a double, the second game resulted in a draw! All lots of fun. The evening show was a combination of the acrobatic husband and wife team – Cameo Ráscale who were spectacular and during the second half – The Celtic Harps brought a lot of cheer to the crowd with their Irish music (including “Danny Boy”).
Roger & Anne Travels 