Medical technology has increased our longevity significantly. Technologies such as heart monitors and pacemakers allow doctors to better monitor and control our health. However, technology is now advancing beyond helping common health issues that people might face. Newer technologies are allowing us to aid people who aren't necessarily sick but who have a disability, possibly from a disease. Early forms of this technology would include hearing aids for those with hearing impairment and prosthetics for those who might have lost limbs. These technologies were initially somewhat simplistic because the prosthetics for example had limited mobility and use, but now with technological advancements in computers the users of prosthetics can be given more control over their prosthetic augmentations.
Computer technologies combined with neuroscience open up a whole new world for enabling the disabled. One of these new technologies helps the
blind to see by using a tiny camera attached to glasses combined with an electrode panel attached to the retina. This technology only allows the user to see small amounts of light which can distinguish doors, objects, and people. The researchers involved with this technology are also trying to shrink down the camera size to allow it to be placed into someone's eye.
Advancements such as this one require lots of research and funding. However, the resources necessary are worth using because the technology can not only help people with impairments, but some of the technologies in development could be applied in other ways.
I agree with the fact that the research and funding that goes into these advancements are worth the benefits that they provide. What is the point of technology if it is not ultimately helping humanity? Those with the ability to create these medical advancements should help those that are unable. I just wanted to clarify one thing though. Is the point of your blog to argue that all the research and funding for these advancements is worth it?
ReplyDeleteYes, the point of this blog is to argue that support and funding should be provided to the research of medical technology. Since the 1920's human life expectancy has increased from roughly 54 to 77.7 years. This is a significant increase due mainly to the advancement of medical technology. Those numbers alone should be reason enough to provide funding, but when those numbers are combined with the improvement in the lives of handicapped or disabled people, I believe there is no doubt that money for medical technology research is not worth every penny.
ReplyDeleteI had no clue that we already had the technology to help the blind see like that. This really is amazing and funding from the government should definitely be put into this. Being able to help the blind see and other such miracles is amazing. I look forward to seeing more of your blog posts.
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