Unit 4: Medicine+Techonolgy+Art
This week's topic was extremely intriguing to me, since I am keenly interested in the medical field and the biotechnology used to enhance medicine. I think that most of the advancements in the medical and biotechnological field stem from creative thinking.
In the lecture videos, Victoria Vesna mentions how since ancient times, people were curious about the human body and would cut open and dissect human bodies; some cultures even did this to mummify a body, which would be considered a work of art in their culture and tradition. Vesna continues to point out how in later times, during the Renaissance, people were dissecting bodies for more scientific means, in order to learn more about how the body functions.
Vesna also mentions the book "Gray's Anatomy" written by Henry Gray in 1858, which is a book about the human anatomy that has been in print since it was first published. The illustrations within the book, created by Henry Carter, were intended for the medical community, however many artists have used these illustrations as a reference for their own art regarding the human body.
Being an avid fan of the hit TV series, "Grey's Anatomy", I was intrigued when the book that it is named after, "Gray's Anatomy" was mentioned. Since the show, "Grey's Anatomy", is currently still running, a lot of the newer episodes include newer and more innovative medical techniques. I recall multiple recent episodes where the hospital begins to bring in robots for surgery, or the hospital purchases more technologically sophisticated medical equipment, or even print out hearts using 3D printing technology.
In order to advance in the medical field, doctors must come up with new and more efficient ways to provide medical care. Doctors must often come up with a unique, individualized plan of action in order to save their patient, which requires a lot of medical knowledge, but also a large amount of thinking outside the box, and risk-taking. I believe that, with the fast-rate of which science and technology is transforming, biotechnology and medicine will be thriving in ways that were once deemed to be impossible.
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| Gray's Anatomy, written by Henry Gray, illustrated by Henry Carter, 1858. |
Vesna also mentions the book "Gray's Anatomy" written by Henry Gray in 1858, which is a book about the human anatomy that has been in print since it was first published. The illustrations within the book, created by Henry Carter, were intended for the medical community, however many artists have used these illustrations as a reference for their own art regarding the human body.
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| Characters of "Grey's Anatomy" featuring a 3D organ that was printed out using a 3D printer. |
In order to advance in the medical field, doctors must come up with new and more efficient ways to provide medical care. Doctors must often come up with a unique, individualized plan of action in order to save their patient, which requires a lot of medical knowledge, but also a large amount of thinking outside the box, and risk-taking. I believe that, with the fast-rate of which science and technology is transforming, biotechnology and medicine will be thriving in ways that were once deemed to be impossible.
Sources
Fernandez, Clara Rodriguez. “The Coming of Age of the Biotech Industry.” Labiotech.eu, Labiotech UG, 24 Jan. 2019, labiotech.eu/interviews/biotech-industry-age/.
“Grey's Anathomy Holographic Heart Scene.” YouTube, 5 May 2014, youtu.be/IUnNXy0tAFE.
Thomas, James. “The Story behind Gray's Anatomy (the Real One).” Mcdreeamie, Mcdreeamie-Musings, 1 Feb. 2019, mcdreeamiemusings.com/new-blog/2019/1/25/the-story-behind-grays-anatomy-the-real-one.
Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine pt1.” YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012, youtu.be/Ep0M2bOM9Tk.
Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine pt2.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012, youtube.com/watch?v=psjnQarHOqQ#action=share.
Vesna, Victoria. “Medicine pt3.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 Apr. 2012, youtube.com/watch?v=FIX-9mXd3Y4#action=share
I definitely agree with your statement that biotechnology and medicine will provide us with advances in technology that we never thought would be possible. I think that the combination of medicine and biotechnology, plus creativity holds great promise for the future of medical science. I find it very interesting how medicine is also considered to be an art!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Hello Asari,
ReplyDeleteI think medicine and the performance arts definitely overlap in modern medical TV shows. When I saw “Gray’s Anatomy” the book in the lecture videos, my mind also went to the TV series. While I’ve only seen commercials for that show, I’ve seen lots of episodes of “House M.D.,” another medical drama that seems to be similar to “Grey’s Anatomy.” The lead character in “House” certainly does a lot of outside-the-box thinking which makes him the most valuable doctor on the show, and they often illustrate medical issues inside a patient’s body through CGI animations. This television show, as a form of art, exposed me and likely millions of others to both medicine and medical technology that would have otherwise been not as interesting to learn about.