Few things seem more apocalyptic than sentient robots, controlled by a Skynet-like hive mind, taking over the planet. Some may consider this to be restricted to the domain of Hollywood and sci-fi movies, with close-to-zero odds of occurring in reality. People may deem it so far-fetched, given current technology, that no one needs to worry…
Last month, the National Football League played its 51st Super Bowl, crowning the New England Patriots as victors. As a Patriots fan, I was beyond thrilled; this win meant their fifth Super Bowl ring. However, as someone interested in the fields of health and medicine, I was forced to also contend with some of the…
We all itch subconsciously to gain relief from minor disturbances on our skin. But most of us have probably experienced itches that go far beyond this level to the point where an itch can take over your entire mind for several minutes. As an example of a more extreme case, a patient with HIV from…
In the ideal world of healthcare, everyone everywhere would have access to excellent quality of care, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, or any other factor that may cause disparity. However, the world we live in today does not provide such an opportunity for everyone due to the institutionalized nature of healthcare and striking disparities between…
The field of medical biotechnology has reached unprecedented heights in recent years, with new surgical devices and laboratory equipment combatting diseases and improving human health. Yet, in this quest for profit, companies may take actions at the expense of the patients and consumers who rely on their products. Take Theranos Inc. for example, a company…
The field of medicine stands on a substantially stable basis of fact regarding what works and what does not. If a medication works, it is put on the market for physicians to subscribe to patients expressing the symptoms of its associated diagnosis. Acetaminophen is to a fever just as Prozac and Sarafem are to depression,…
When doctors diagnosed her with one of the most aggressive forms of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, Layla Richards was only 14 weeks old. After rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a full bone marrow transplant, Layla showed no signs of improvement – her only remaining option was palliative end-of-life care. Then, a one-milliliter infusion of white blood…