Technology has always been important in medicine, but it is becoming increasingly more-so as people develop more advanced machines to examine and treat people and fight against diseases. Thanks to the popularity of medical TV shows, people are familiar with such devices as the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which uses magnetic fields to paint a detailed picture of the body’s internal structure, and the EKG (electrocardiogram), which measures the electrical activity of the heart.
Biotechnology is a specialty in which scientists utilize living organisms to come up with specialized treatments. This might take the form of genetic engineering. For instance, a bio-engineer might discover a strain of bacteria that is effective at fighting diabetes. The scientist could determine what gene in the bacteria produced the treatment and then grow only those bacteria with an ample supply of the gene, concentrating the ability through the later generations of bacteria.
With more advanced technology, scientists can even introduce foreign genes into an organism, producing desired traits, much like crafting something out of LEGO bricks. Much science-fiction has been written about the likely outcome of this sort of research, but there are certainly advantages in the approach, as it may eventually be possible literally to build cures for diseases that are currently incurable.
On a more basic but no less significant level, technology is making it easier to navigate the medical world. There is a big push now for computerized medical records, which means storing all the data of your family’s medical history and any treatment you have received in a computer system any doctor can access. In terms of benefits to you, consider that once the transition is complete you may never have to fill out one of those pesky medical history forms again. The medical staff doesn’t have to read your handwriting, either, and the digital nature of the files means the environmentalists are happy, too. Everyone wins!