In the future, I foresee a world without pandemics, cancer becoming a thing of the past, and advancements that enable bionic adaptations to our bodies, leading to a life expectancy of easily over one hundred years.
While some of these advancements may seem distant, we are on the cusp of making them a reality within the next few decades. However, it’s essential to question whether human greed could hinder technological progress, as I have already witnessed in some instances.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I rode the Red Car, historically the world’s largest electric railway system. But what happened to it? Rumor has it that tire manufacturers, in collaboration with the auto industry, lobbied for the expansion of the freeway system, which ultimately led to the demise of the Red Car in 1961. This decision boosted their profits while leaving Los Angeles and its neighboring communities grappling with road congestion, pollution, time delays, and increased fuel consumption. Even now, LA Metro is struggling to catch up in developing adequate public transportation. These past rumors may hold some truth.
Similarly, could valuable technology be shelved to the detriment of patients due to greed in the medical field? Is it possible that greed exists in the medical-industrial complex? As someone who suffers from hip arthritis, I am hopeful about the potential of stem cell research. Although it is still in its infancy, we can already replicate joint synovial fluid in the laboratory. This opens up the possibility of injecting it into patients in the future to provide a cushion for arthritis. However, could this advancement be hindered by the medical industry’s vested interests?
Joint replacements, especially for hips and knees, are lucrative for hospitals, doctors, rehabilitation facilities, and metal, ceramic, and plastic joint manufacturers. These procedures generate billions of dollars in revenue, which they may not be willing to give up, particularly if an alternative solution like limitless synovial fluid derived from stem cells could be achieved through a simple injection.
This raises the critical question of how much progress can be made in the medical field if greed holds us back. Will advancements be prolonged to the next century, resulting in a slowdown in improving our quality of life? It is crucial for the public to recognize the presence of greed in society and within human nature, and take action against it.
We must strive to ensure that preventing pandemics, conquering cancer, and enhancing our quality of life become the legacy we leave for the future generations of children and grandchildren. Therefore, we must do everything in our power to put greed aside and prioritize the common good. Only then can we unlock the full potential of technology and truly transform the practice of medicine for the better.
Gene Uzawa Dorio is an internal medicine physician who blogs at SCV Physician Report.
