Modern Medical Technologies

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses modern medical technologies, such as stem cell research, cloning and genetic mapping. It specifically discusses the hope that many people place on this research for cures to all diseases. The paper analyzes whether this hope is warranted or realistic. It analyzes the arguments and the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies to arrive at its conclusions.

From the Paper:

"The key idea that is shared by proponents of technological medical innovations, such as stem cell research, cloning, and genetic mapping, is that medicine can achieve magical cures. Yet this misses the point that this kind of intervention would just be one small part of curing diseases. It is necessary to be aware of the holistic picture of disease: many factors combine to cause disease. These include environmental factors, lifestyle factors, and socioeconomic factors. Unless all of these are addressed, disease will not be significantly reduced. In addition, many of these factors are easier and cheaper to address, than expensive research interventions. For example, if some of the money that was spent on the human genome project was spent on creating better neighborhoods for impoverished people, or on providing a better quality of nutrition for poor people, it might cause more of a reduction in disease than the persistent search for a technological "magic bullet" that will cure all diseases. On the individual level, it would be cheaper for me to eat healthily, get plenty of exercise, and generally lead a healthy life, rather than to start saving to have a new heart cloned for myself once I have destroyed the one I already have with unhealthy habits."

Sample of Sources Used:

• CNN.Com. Health. (June 10, 2004.) First lady: Stem-cell research ethical balancing act. Retrieved from web site: http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/06/09/firstlady.stemcell/.
• Munro, Margaret. (2003). "The Still Unread Book of Life." In Behrens, Laurence et al. Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. Canadian edition. Toronto: Longman: 568+.

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• Persuasive Essay # 130052 : "The Hope and Hype of Modern Medical Technologies"
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• Research Paper # 106182 : "Healthcare Technology and Diabetes"

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