As human, we’re far from perfect, and in many ways we are similar to machines. We too require constant tune-ups, care, attention as well as maintenance. Without these things, it is hard to maintain our body, and it can easily break down! For a long time, scientists have tried to develop a better understanding about the human body, and create new technologies to increase their knowledge as well as cure fatal diseases. Currently there are many concerns that society face such as Alzheimer’s disease, digestive disorder, as well as heart problem. In this blog, I will try my best to discuss these issues and talk about technological development related to these and share my opinions.
Alzheimer
Of course while we’re 17 years old we’re not going to think about elder health care, but to those that are middle age/senior citizen this is an issue that worries many. They may be worried about Alzheimer’s disease and other common problems such as blood pressure. Right now, scientists do not have a full understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, but they know that this disease targets the brain. Though this disease is currently incurable and scientist is trying their best to further their understanding. Researchers at the University of South Florida have determined that GCSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) is able to reduce the level of a specific protein (beta amyloid) that clogs the brain. It also increases the production of neuron development and increased nerve cell connections. The GCSF is a stem cell growth factor that is found in blood which stimulates the bone marrow to increase production of white blood cells. In short, they discover that they could use stem cell to reduce the protein that clog the brain and rebuild neural connections. Stem cell treatment may reverse the effect of Alzheimer’s and if this treatment continues to develop, soon Alzheimer’s could be cured. So far stem cell treatments have worked on mice but have not yet tried on human. My opinion about stem cell treatment is that currently it’s unknown whether this is safe or not. Often to promote the product they often exaggerate its effect, but in reality it is nowhere close. But if this method was to develop, and by the time we become a senior it might be perfected. From what I read from the description of stem cell on brain, it seems like its something that has a lot of potential. If this were to work, then that's one less problem to worry about in the future.
Digestive System
Regardless of age, stomach pain occurs to everyone, most of the time it might not be serious but at times it can be very serious. Pepto Bismol can’t always be used to relief the stomach pain! In order to solve the society needs of curing serious digestion diseases, scientists have developed SmartPill, a swallowable wireless sensor that can monitor the human body. SmartPill is around the size of vitamin pill, it is approved to help clinicians diagnose gastroparesis (a disorder that causes the stomach to empty very slowly). While in the stomach, a radio transmitter sends information about how long the journey will take, as well as acidity and pressure levels of the stomach. This pill provides information to the doctor in a much easier than other process which allow doctors to further help their patience. Not only is this pill safe, it also provides valuable information to the doctor about what’s happening in your body. If this technology were to develop in the direction that it should, soon I believe it can be used for other diseases. It can provide much better information about the body than CT scan and it more painless than surgery. There is no risk in this product which makes it assuring to use, the only problem would probably be the cost. In this stage of the product, there are no mass production. But to me I'd rather swallow a pill than to do a painful surgery.
Circulatory System
Heart is the most important part of the human body. It can’t be replaced, and malfunctioning of it can lead to death. Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease, which causes death to many. Prevention of coronary artery disease is a concern to many. Through research scientists have developed better ways to test for heart disease, so that appropriate measures can be taken. From an online source (posted in 2006), the best way to detect the disease is coronary angiography which thread a tube into the heart and releases a dye. Using X-ray images to look for decreased blood flow they can easily found out the problem. But in this procedure the tube can possibly pierce an artery, resulting in bleeding, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Other tests such as cardiac ultrasound are less risky, but not as accurate.
MRI is a technique that allows doctors to clearly view the body using magnets and radio waves. Previously, it could not produce clear images of moving objects, such as a beating heart. But recently stronger magnets, more powerful computers, and new software have improved MRI, and allow it to be used to determine coronary artery disease in the heart.Not only have scientist work to detect heart disease, scientists have also worked to fight against heart disease as well. MIT and Harvard based their previous work of delivering cancer drugs with nanoparticles and created particles called nanoburrs. It was said that particles is coated with tiny protein which allow them to stick onto damage arterial walls. Once it’s stuck on the wall, it is able to release drugs to prevent heart disease. Drugs such as paclitaxel (helps prevent growth of scar tissue that can clog arteries) can be carried by nanoburrs to cure heart diseases. Nanoburrs can deliver drugs over a longer period of time, which prevent patient to have repetitive surgically injections. Though nanoburrs have not been perfected yet, it seems to work on mice and is able to successfully travel to intended area. If this technology were to continue to develop, not only can it cure heart disease but disease everywhere in the body. Seeing how they have used nanoburrs to treat cancer, I believe that it must have worked really well, so I have confidence in nanoburrs and believe it excellent in curing heart disease. To learn more about the nanoburrs check out the following cite: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2010/nanoburrs.html
Through our technologies development, future does not seem like a scary place. Currently new developments are being made, and scientists are able to learn more about the human body every day. If these technologies were to continue to develop it seems like soon the society wouldn’t have to worry about fatal diseases. It is truly amazing to see how the technologies have advanced in the past year, decade, and century, and it seems like these developments can never stop astonishing us.
http://www.prlog.org/10520247-stem-cell-treatments-for-alzheimers-disease.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/46007.php
http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/17470/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100118153248.htm
http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17065&ch=biotech
