Since time immemorial people have always dreamed of living on, of becoming immortal. Stem cell research has been directed towards this dream. Of being able to cure diseases like Alzimers, ParkinsonÂ’s, nerve damage etc, that are fatal (at least for the time being).
While the debate rages on about how ethical the practice of storing stem cells I cant help but wonder about this cycle of diseases and cures.
Around ten years ago TB(tuberculosis) was the number one killer. It was fatal to those who contracted it. Cancer and AIDS weren't even heard of then. When we cured TB, cancer took over as the leading killer and more and more people succumbed to it. Now as we "control" and "cure" cancer with chemotherapy and broad spectrum drugs, AIDS has gained more victims. I feel that however much we try to evade this disease and that disease nature will always find a way to keep the population in check.
If anything, this will just increase the gulf between the haves and the have nots. And some other disease will come up that will attack the "haves". When we are born, we have already been sentenced to die. Sooner or later we WILL bite the dust.
The philosophers of old mentioned that men will come and go. But stories of their exploits; their words and deeds will endure. While we spend huge amounts into research to combat diseases, maybe we should learn to spend some time in simple things like making a difference in the lives of people around us.
5 comments:
yeah, it's inevitable that we have to die. so why not atleast _try_ to thwart death for some time?
all you are doing by inventing new medicines etc is trying to reduce the number of factors that you can die of. it will always be an incomplete job, but doing it is one of the fun things in life. what say?
@priya
Death is inevitable. Cheating it is fun (criminals that we are). but if we dont make the best use of it, what is the point? we lose our health in the pursuit of money and then lose our money in the pursuit of health. Seems too much of a waste. :)
Try looking at it this way. The money spent on medicines/research, is just a far-sighted approach to expanding your lifespan, so that you can enjoy for longer.:) Also it acts as an insurance against any mishaps to us or our loved ones. To be stressed(as you should have intended:), should be that delicate balance of "living in the present" and "looking forward to the future". For without one, the other always seems bleak.
Difference is being made in the lives of people around us, especially the ones that are struck with rare diseases and have to go from hand to mouth to run their family!
I agree with Shivdeep on this one.
Though we have progressed so much in Medical Science, I wonder how many are actually able to avail facilities like Chemotherapy. You know how it works in the world of medicine. It's only the rich who can afford it and manage to thwart death.
The theory of survival of fittest seems to fit in here perfectly! Only that fit and rich have to be termed synonyms.
I agree with you that we could have utilized the some of that time and resources in ensuring that the *exisiting* facilities reach everyone. But who cares? As long as I and you can avail it, why bother if the third person gets it or not?
What say? Jungle rule still holds good in our society!
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