Bioethics - Are You Ready?
Technology is about to change Medicine in a very powerful way.
Every day Technology is expanding into to our lives. Memory and processing power are making new applications possible. We are at the edge of that integration into medical practice in a powerful way.
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Wheelchairs and scooters about to get some competition.
Exoskeleton's with computers integrated into them could change the quality of life for those who are paralyzed. Robot's may soon be operating on you and your surgeon may not even be in the room.
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Medicines will be made just for you
What is personalized medicine?
Treatment is exactly what Baylor researchers had next in their sights. The team achieved an early victory in genomic medicine with the 14-year-old Beery twins, who suffered from a palsy-like movement disorder. In 2011, whole-genome sequencing revealed not only the genetic variants responsible, it also revealed which neurotransmitters were affected, and suggested a new drug regimen that worked remarkably well to control the twins’ symptoms. For the researchers, the case was a trail-blazing example of how genetics can not only provide a more precise diagnosis, but can also, in the best case, allow doctors to tailor their treatments to better fit their patients. Still, the twins’ outcome is exceptional. Baylor recently opened a commercial lab to provide genetic sequencing for patients who are on “diagnostic odysseys,” meaning that they suffer from mysterious symptoms for which test after test hasn’t revealed the cause. The Baylor lab has only about a 30 percent diagnostic success rate, though, and finding results that lead to a better treatment plan is even tougher. What is currently possible with human genetic manipulation? What is the difference between fixing a gene and choosing a trait? Will we be able to grow replacement parts? Questions to consider:
Will science find a way to extend our lives forever? Will neuroscientists understand the nature of love and faith in God? Has man become arrogant?
Arrogance: having or showing an exaggerated opinion of one's own importance, merit, ability.
"A richly imagined recreation of a forgotten history, Greenblatt’s book serves as a reminder that Western culture once experienced a kind of awakening – a collective (if not universal, or perfect) belief that science and art were not irreconcilable forces, and that, applied with discipline and intelligence, they could improve our lives." BigThink Nov 2011 It’s easy to see why emerging Christianity saw Epicureanism as a threat and decided to paint it as a pit of worldly decadence. Lucretius’ masterwork contains in utero most of the key ideas that define a modern worldview in which gods play no part in our lives. Among them: Atheism: Lucretius was not exactly an atheist, but he viewed the gods as completely unconcerned with human affairs. He (like Epicurus before him) mocked superstition. He did not believe in “intelligent design” or an afterlife, viewing the soul as a composite of tiny particles that disperse at death. Microbiology, Atomic and Subatomic Physics: On the Nature of Things views all things as composed of tiny particles that collide randomly, creating and destroying the physical forms of people, plants, and planets. Evolution: Over centuries, Lucretius says, these endless collisions result in increasingly complex forms. Those that are best suited to their environments survive and reproduce, while others disappear. Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Genesis 50:18-21 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Micah 6:8 "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” Isaiah 2:17 And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. 2 Timothy 3 1But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. |