Post by: Firethorn on September 08, 2008, 03:32:05 PM
Anyways, I've thought of two contenders that will revolutionalize medicine/medical treatment as we know it:
1. My old favorite: Fueled by the decoding of the human genome, enabled by small one time diagnostic chips that can test for hundreds of conditions with a single drop of blood(or other fluid), targeted medicine. Rather than playing 'hit or miss', a chemical cocktail is developed specifically for you, to treat your conditions. For something like cancer, a cocktail of drugs are designed to maximize effectiveness against the tumor while minimizing effects on you.
2. My new favorite: Cloning! Already in labs they've manage to clone skin, heart tissue, and I think liver. They're working on getting them to grow on a substrate to grow a whole new organ. In the future, immune suppression drugs are almost a thing of the past as when it's determined that you need a new organ, they simply clone one.
So what do you think?
Post by: Werewolf on September 08, 2008, 03:49:51 PM
Unfortunately no government in its right mind would ever allow such a thing to be released to the proles - too many people on the planet already.
Of course that won't keep our masters from getting the stuff and living 2 or 3 hundred years.
Post by: lee n. field on September 08, 2008, 03:57:15 PM
Post by: lupinus on September 08, 2008, 04:11:44 PM
Tumor? Virus? Program the bugs into little tumor eatin pit bulls.
Clots? Arterial plaque? Program a nano clean up crew.
It would likely start off very simply but as time goes on the possibilities are virtually endless.
New prosthetic limbs are also very cool.
Post by: zahc on September 08, 2008, 04:28:36 PM
Read the latest Discover. Pretty impressive.
Post by: Dntsycnt on September 08, 2008, 04:39:37 PM
And I don't think any nation would sit idly by as the elites live forever. When it comes to immortality, the people will get up from the recliners.
In fact, Werewolf, let's place a wager. I bet you five thousand dollars that within 50 years such life extension treatments will be readily available for the general public (at least in America). Of course, by then it'll only buy you a pack of gum, and depending on how old you are you might not be around that long.
Do you accept!?
Post by: eflatminor on September 08, 2008, 04:49:49 PM
Post by: Dntsycnt on September 08, 2008, 04:54:21 PM
I hope the next great medical advancement will be not a drug, a surgical procedure, or any other medical treatment. I hope it will be the realization that in the vast majority of cases, we decide, with our own actions, if we're to be sick or well. The next big advancement? Fruits and vegetables, lots of filtered water, a bit of exersize and to the greatest extent possible, the prevention of chemicals and other processed substances from getting into our bodies. Genetics can tell you what you what sicknessess you might be prone to, but you need not take drugs because of that. There are ALWAYS natural cures that doctors will not prescribe. You can be healthy or sick, it's your choice.
Are you a scientologist?
Post by: Stand_watie on September 08, 2008, 06:07:08 PM
I hope the next great medical advancement will be not a drug, a surgical procedure, or any other medical treatment. I hope it will be the realization that in the vast majority of cases, we decide, with our own actions, if we're to be sick or well. The next big advancement? Fruits and vegetables, lots of filtered water, a bit of exersize and to the greatest extent possible, the prevention of chemicals and other processed substances from getting into our bodies. Genetics can tell you what you what sicknessess you might be prone to, but you need not take drugs because of that. There are ALWAYS natural cures that doctors will not prescribe. You can be healthy or sick, it's your choice.
Adam will "Uneat" the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Post by: Grandpa Shooter on September 08, 2008, 06:14:38 PM
Post by: Devonai on September 08, 2008, 06:20:55 PM
Post by: De Selby on September 08, 2008, 06:21:28 PM
I keep hoping they will invent a way to quietly sterilize welfare recipients as they sit applying for yet another hand out. Have a ray of some low intrusion zap the ovaries and testes of those filling out the paperwork and before you know it, the worker bees will outnumber the parasites.
That used to be the law-crooks, vagrants, and assorted poor people were forcibly sterilized for much of the 20th century in many states.
The US sterilization program served as a model for a certain European nation's "genetic purity" laws, even, so you weren't the only one to have this idea.
Post by: roo_ster on September 08, 2008, 06:44:41 PM
I keep hoping they will invent a way to quietly sterilize welfare recipients as they sit applying for yet another hand out. Have a ray of some low intrusion zap the ovaries and testes of those filling out the paperwork and before you know it, the worker bees will outnumber the parasites.
That used to be the law-crooks, vagrants, and assorted poor people were forcibly sterilized for much of the 20th century in many states.
The US sterilization program served as a model for a certain European nation's "genetic purity" laws, even, so you weren't the only one to have this idea.
SS brings up the ugly side of the Progressive movement, eugenics being only a small part.
Whenever I see some tool on TV claiming to be a Progressive, I always wonder if he has ever cracked a book on the history of early 20th Century America. You wanna own THAT, bucko?
Post by: De Selby on September 08, 2008, 06:48:43 PM
I keep hoping they will invent a way to quietly sterilize welfare recipients as they sit applying for yet another hand out. Have a ray of some low intrusion zap the ovaries and testes of those filling out the paperwork and before you know it, the worker bees will outnumber the parasites.
That used to be the law-crooks, vagrants, and assorted poor people were forcibly sterilized for much of the 20th century in many states.
The US sterilization program served as a model for a certain European nation's "genetic purity" laws, even, so you weren't the only one to have this idea.
SS brings up the ugly side of the Progressive movement, eugenics being only a small part.
Whenever I see some tool on TV claiming to be a Progressive, I always wonder if he has ever cracked a book on the history of early 20th Century America. You wanna own THAT, bucko?
Yep-"science marches on! We don't need no stinking ancient values...."
Post by: Northwoods on September 08, 2008, 07:00:13 PM
Post by: Antibubba on September 08, 2008, 09:00:26 PM
Post by: Jamisjockey on September 09, 2008, 02:49:05 AM
Post by: HankB on September 09, 2008, 03:34:26 AM
2. A new wave of antibiotics, effective against the current strains of resistant bugs.
3. The easiest way to implement Grandpa Shooter's idea is to stop giving welfare recipients money, but give them food instead - laced with contraceptives. Once they get off welfare and start buying their own food with their own (rather than taxpayer) money, they can start having kids again.
Post by: mfree on September 09, 2008, 03:35:32 AM
Post by: LadySmith on September 09, 2008, 03:37:19 AM
Female viagra. After seeing Viagra, Cialis, and what a big deal they are....its obvious that people could care less about curing cancer, etc. They want to get laid!
And along those lines, my bet would be on something that provides the same effect as Viagra while also increasing...um...male sizes.
How well do you think that would sell?
Post by: Firethorn on September 09, 2008, 03:44:38 AM
Quote from: lupinus
Nano tech
Part of the idea for #1 is that you perform a test that reports back in under an hour, then for your case of strep throat, rather than dosing you with antibiotics that the bacteria become immune to, they instead dose you with a species of macrophage that targets that particular batch of bacteria. Give the bacteria infecting you an infection, essentially.
That's certainly a form of nanotech, but I think the programmable robots you're thinking of are a long ways off.
The US sterilization program served as a model for a certain European nation's "genetic purity" laws, even, so you weren't the only one to have this idea.
Oh my, that's pretty... progressive. The incidents I heard about in class for the eugenics programs was that they would sterilize the retarded/mentally ill. I'm pretty mixed about some of that stuff - On the one hand, you could say 'what a horrible thing, they can't consent, they don't know what you're doing'. On the other hand - these are essentially kids in adult bodies. Incidents happen, and due to health and mental reasons a pregnancy isn't a good thing for them. You can preempt some issues with a tubal litigation.
eflatminor - I have to disagree with you. Filtered water? Not going to do much. Our bodies are naturally designed to handle all sorts of stuff in the water. Fruits&vegies, yes, quite a few people could do with more of them. As for 'chemicals' - even purely organic food contain chemicals. Vitamins are chemicals. Water is a chemical. On the genetic angle, being born with Type 1 diabetes is genetic. You WILL NOT SURVIVE if you don't take drugs to treat that. No, there are NOT ALWAYS natural cures. Yes, we do need to look at bit more at them, but I'll point out that the first 100 years or so of medicine involved seeking out the active portion of various natural treatments to refine and increase the effectiveness. Willow bark tea led to aspirin. Cowpox lead to the smallpox vaccine. A mold lead to penicillin.
As for the male contraceptive/female viagra, would that really revolutionalize medical treatment?
HankB - Good response.
1. Interesting, would this be part of standard preventative care? Go in and get cleaned out every couple of decades starting at 40? A daily pill?
2. Personally, I think that macrophages are the way to go. A virus targeting the bacteria that's infecting you. Drip it in, the bacteria colony gets 'sick', and is unable to resist the mounting defenses of the body.
3. I've also advocated the 'once a month' shot whenever they come in for their check.
Post by: Jamisjockey on September 09, 2008, 03:46:09 AM
Female viagra. After seeing Viagra, Cialis, and what a big deal they are....its obvious that people could care less about curing cancer, etc. They want to get laid!
And along those lines, my bet would be on something that provides the same effect as Viagra while also increasing...um...male sizes.
How well do you think that would sell?
Sadly, well.
Post by: Werewolf on September 09, 2008, 05:03:46 AM
Nanotechnology for the win!
And I don't think any nation would sit idly by as the elites live forever. When it comes to immortality, the people will get up from the recliners.
In fact, Werewolf, let's place a wager. I bet you five thousand dollars that within 50 years such life extension treatments will be readily available for the general public (at least in America). Of course, by then it'll only buy you a pack of gum, and depending on how old you are you might not be around that long.
Do you accept!?
And I don't think any nation would sit idly by as the elites live forever. When it comes to immortality, the people will get up from the recliners.
In fact, Werewolf, let's place a wager. I bet you five thousand dollars that within 50 years such life extension treatments will be readily available for the general public (at least in America). Of course, by then it'll only buy you a pack of gum, and depending on how old you are you might not be around that long.
Do you accept!?
Well I would except in 50 years I'd be 106. Genetics will get me to my mid 90's - probably - but even if I didn make it who'd want to go on for another 100 years with a biological age of 100+. Unless they could regress ya.
On 2nd thought if I make it and yur still around - yeah - I'd gladly lose that bet.
Post by: Werewolf on September 09, 2008, 05:06:03 AM
I keep hoping they will invent a way to quietly sterilize welfare recipients as they sit applying for yet another hand out. Have a ray of some low intrusion zap the ovaries and testes of those filling out the paperwork and before you know it, the worker bees will outnumber the parasites.
Didn't the US goobermint try something like that in the 1920's/30's? Didn't go over well then. Probably wouldn't now.Still - a damned good idea.
Post by: eflatminor on September 09, 2008, 05:37:24 AM
Post by: MicroBalrog on September 09, 2008, 05:43:29 AM
Post by: K Frame on September 09, 2008, 05:44:02 AM
Well, one can hope.
Post by: Antibubba on September 09, 2008, 06:07:56 PM
Post by: Bigjake on September 09, 2008, 06:15:35 PM
Post by: Antibubba on September 09, 2008, 06:29:03 PM
Post by: Perd Hapley on September 09, 2008, 08:42:28 PM
Anti-geriatrics...
Unfortunately no government in its right mind would ever allow such a thing to be released to the proles - too many people on the planet already.
Unfortunately no government in its right mind would ever allow such a thing to be released to the proles - too many people on the planet already.
Did you miss the part where the govt. allowed life spans to increase by about thirty years, last century? Besides, I thought that population bomb stuff was all junk science, anyway. The more developed nations are slowing down or leveling off in population growth, too.
Post by: lupinus on September 10, 2008, 12:36:35 AM
The longer we live
The longer we have to pay taxes
Post by: Devonai on September 10, 2008, 05:46:58 AM
Just remember. The longer we live, the longer we have to pay taxes.
To be precise, the longer we live naturally, the longer we have to pay taxes to subsidize the synthetic life-extending treatments given free to the "disadvantaged" class of citizens as defined by the government.
Post by: GigaBuist on September 10, 2008, 01:17:48 PM
Quote
Didn't the US goobermint try something like (eugenics - ed) that in the 1920's/30's?
It lasted until 1981. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_sterilization#cite_note-8)
Post by: Dntsycnt on September 10, 2008, 01:43:42 PM
http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/09/23andme-cuts-it.html
It was just cut from $999.
https://www.23andme.com/
Post by: MicroBalrog on September 10, 2008, 07:18:27 PM
Anti-geriatrics...
Unfortunately no government in its right mind would ever allow such a thing to be released to the proles - too many people on the planet already.
Of course that won't keep our masters from getting the stuff and living 2 or 3 hundred years.
Unfortunately no government in its right mind would ever allow such a thing to be released to the proles - too many people on the planet already.
Of course that won't keep our masters from getting the stuff and living 2 or 3 hundred years.
It's been calculated that if disease and aging could be eliminated, and all the deaths were from violence/accidents, Americans would leave for 1554 years on average.
Post by: Firethorn on September 11, 2008, 04:05:51 AM
Quote from: Dntsycnt
How about personal genome sequencing for $399?
That's actually part of my first idea. Still, the thing with your personal genome sequencing is that we still don't know what exactly most of those genes do, much less how they interact.
What I was looking for was things you'd consider a 'revolution', IE a change in the way we do Medical treatment. Things like how anethesia revolutionalized surgury. Anti-rejection drugs allowed transplants. Penecillion and vaccines allowed enabled us to save thousands, even millions of lives that would have otherwise been lost to disease.
Targeting drug treatments by gene profile/blood work would enable us to determine if Patient X will have bad side effects from Drug A or B, which will treat the problem better, while skipping the 'just try it' stage. Targeted treatments of bacterial infections with phages will reduce/eliminate the problem of drug resistant infections.
Cloned organs would eliminate the shortage of donated ones we eternally have, and if we can use a patient's own cells, the substantial expense of having to take immunosuppressive drugs for the rest of their life.
It's been calculated that if disease and aging could be eliminated, and all the deaths were from violence/accidents, Americans would leave for 1554 years on average.
Do you have a cite for that? Last time I attempted to calc it I came out with 900-1000 for median* lifespan.
Post by: RoadKingLarry on September 11, 2008, 04:38:00 AM
Y'all got it wrong. The next big advancement will be SOCIALIZED MEDICINE. Uncle Obama told me so.
And then there will be no more advancments becasue there will be no profit in it.
Post by: Firethorn on September 11, 2008, 04:58:09 AM
Tailoring Treatments To Patients' Genetics
Happened to hear it on NPR. They were talking about customizing drug/dosage to your genetics for more effective treatment.
A couple of related articles:
Gene Test Promises to Find Right Drug, Right Dose
How Can Genetic Research Improve Cancer Treatments?
Looks like choice #1 might win out, seeing as how I haven't heard about a true cloned organ other than skin yet.
Post by: onebigelf on September 12, 2008, 05:26:31 AM
John
Post by: Firethorn on September 12, 2008, 05:52:19 AM
This instead of the standard procedure of using attenuated versions of the virus itself.
Nice....