I have recently spoken with two smart people who have optimistic views about future advances in medical technology that might enable cures for cancer, viral infections, paralysis, organ regeneration, etc. Invoking stem cell therapy, nanotechnology, spectrophotometry, genetic manipulation, immunomodulation and other biotechnologies, they argue for dramatic progress, if not Ray Kurzweil’s coming singularity (when “humans transcend biology”). […]
When I finished my medical training I joined a generation of internists and sub-specialists who believed the next great advances would be in prevention of death by early diagnosis and treatment. A large part of our medical practice involved screening for “problems.” After 32 years of practice I came to the conclusion that screening for […]
It is dawn after my high school reunion at Milton Academy, just south of Boston. I’m waiting for the taxi, then a long bus ride home to Maine. My classmates are dispersing soon. I am anxious to get north and start the summer, indeed to start the next phase. This past five weeks in limbo, in D.C., […]
Debbie has instructed me to write a wrap-up as we bring the 12th month to a close. She suggested I riff off my first post of June 1, 2013: Stepping Into the Void After 31 Years. After several false starts I have come to the conclusion that… I cannot come to a conclusion. I am unable to synthesize […]
