medical breakthroughs 2008

As medical technology improves, there are many more new discoveries made by scientists. In 2008, there are new hope for cancer, diabetes, dementia and more. In the past, we watched doctors repair a heart with tiny tools inserted through three small inscisions, with no chest cracking. We witnessed a big clot being pulled out from a stroke victim's brain almost like a cork in a bottle of wine. This year, from skin cells transformed into tissue beating like a human heart to a simple checklist saving thousands of lives.

Very soon, nanotubes can be implanted to kill liver tumours without affecting neighbouring healthy cells. Which means those who are suffering from cancer do not have to worry about side effects like dropping of hair and get fatigue easily. This is a very wonderful discovery, as we can see the burden brought by the side effects. with this, it can relieve both physical pain and mental pain. The researchers hope this method has potential to treat other types of cancer. Many woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer are often in the last stage, the symptons of ovarian cancer can be vague and there is no early screening. But now, finding ovarian cancer is just a urine test away, the level of a protein in urine called Bcl-2 is ten times higher in women with ovarian cancer.

The breakthrough of the year, stem cells was extracted from human embryos, the iPS cells, like embryonic stem cells could transform themselves into different types of human tissue. they could transform itself into nerve cells to clumps of newly formed cardiac cells started beating like heart tissue. This new discovery meant that if an organ fails, the doctors are able to manipulated a new organ from our very own stem cells, this is extremely safe as the tissue belongs to our own body which means that there will be no tissue rejection. With this new discoveries, organ failure should not pose any problem as transplant can be carried out quickly.

With the newest technology, we need not to be afraid that surgery would leave inches of scar behind. A huge relief to those who take extra care to their skin, a scar-less surgery using magnetic technology in guiding other magnets attached to tiny surgical tools inside the organ. this will lead to less pain and disfirgurement.

In my opinion, all of this magnificant discoveries brought rays of hope to our fragile life. Our common goal is to live as long and healthy as possible to witness the major events throughout the decades. As diseases, cancer and even viruses poses a threat to us in achieving our goals. We racked our brains and unite our discoveries to bring about perfect cures for many diseases ranging from common flu to AIDS. And, discoveries are still going on. None of the great scientist and researches gave up on finding a new cure for human. As technology secures our health, it does not mean that we have no responsibilty in taking care of it. Many diseases came about of the food we consumed, needless to say, obesity is a threat to our health. We need to cherish our healthy body, life can be fragile but it can be also strong, it is the will that get us going. We can witness it from disasters like earthquakes and cyclone. To be able to take care of our health, we must first take care of our mother earth.

All in all, having a healthy body is the best knowledge, without a healthy body nothing can be done.