7.1 Medical Imaging Technologies

Introduction

Medical imaging technologies are used by doctors to look inside the human body for clues about a medical condition. A variety of machines and techniques can create pictures of tissues, organs, and organ systems and their activities.

The technology a doctor uses depends on the patient's symptoms and the part of the body being examined. X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds are all types of diagnostic medical imaging technologies.

                                                                                     
Computed tomography (CT) is a medical imaging method employing tomography created by computer processing. Digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) traditionally creates a two-dimensional image of a thin "slice" of the body. Modern MRI instruments are capable of producing images in the form of 3D blocks, which may be considered a generalization of the single-slice, or tomographic, concept.

Unlike CT, MRI does not involve the use of ionizing radiation and is therefore not associated with the same health hazards. There are no known long-term effects of exposure to strong static fields and therefore there is no limit to the number of scans to which an individual can be subjected, as opposed to with X-ray and CT.

                                                                                           Representation of a MRI scans of the brain.

Research and Ethical Issues

Most technologies are tools that humans use to better their lives. There are many examples of technologies used by humans that are related to the field of biology, including in-vitro fertilization, pacemakers, and blood transfusions, to name only a few. These technological advances have positive and negative effects on people, society, and the environment by bringing ethical issues to the forefront. Controversial issues like human cloning, transgenic transplants, and stem cell research create the question of where the line is between the benefits of the technology and the ethical costs surrounding its use.

 

  

Dolly the sheep, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell, was a Finnish Dorset.

 

Cloning in biology is the process of producing an individual that is genetically identical to the original organism. This already occurs naturally with organisms such as bacteria, insects, and plants.

Recent advances in biological technologies and increased research in the field of biology have allowed scientists to create copies of DNA fragments, cells, and organisms.

There have been numerous demands for all progress to be halted in the human cloning field. Most scientific, governmental, and religious organizations oppose reproductive cloning. Society is still undecided about the ethical and social implications of a “copied” human being, with the exact genetic material, maybe. Questions are being raised about the possible ethical issues related to clones. Do the clones have the same privacy, choice, access to healthcare and education, treatment, and anti-discrimination rights as other humans?

                                                                         Cloning Dolly the sheep had a low success rate per fertilized egg; she was born after 237 eggs were used to create 29 embryos, which only produced three lambs at birth, of which the only one lived.

There has been a scientific movement towards cloning organs separately from a human organism. By creating a new organ, one could have a damaged organ, due to disease or an accident, replaced. In doing this, a new organ supply could be established without the moral implications of cloning an entire human being.

 

                                                                     

Public Health Initiatives

Achieving and maintaining your optimal health is an ongoing process. Effective strategies for staying healthy and improving your health include social activity, hygiene, stress management, and health care.

Recently, public health care has become more preventative or proactive, rather than retroactive. What this means is that the public healthcare system is focusing on how to prevent diseases or sicknesses rather than treat diseases or sicknesses. They attempt to do this through surveillance of cases and the promotion of healthy behaviors. Preventing an outbreak of an infectious disease by vaccination programs and distribution of condoms are examples of public health measures.

For instance, the World Health Organization (WHO) has created a “prevention intervention” program for people suffering from sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV or AIDS. The program includes free distribution of condoms, male circumcision, provision of clean injecting equipment, opioid substitution therapy, treatment of sexually transmitted infections with HIV testing, counseling, and education about the disease.

The WHO also uses standard antiretroviral therapy and drug treatments. As a result of these advancements, the number of people dying or suffering from these diseases has decreased. It is necessary for organizations like the WHO to continue with their support if there is any hope of eradicating these diseases.

 

 Vaccinations are generally considered to be the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases. This child is getting a Measles vaccination.

ePortfolio Submission

Answer the following questions in a video format, narrating your voice over your presentation. Be thorough, ensuring your thoughts are detailed, insightful, and reflective. Your video should be about 2-3 minutes (5-8 slides). Save your work as a .mp4 file and add it to your ePortfolio.

There have been many advances made in technology over the last century. In fact, many of these advances have occurred in the field of biology, which has helped many humans to increase their quality of life. It is important to consider the impact or potential impact that occurs on society and the environment as a result. Remember that biological technology isn’t necessarily “good” or “bad”. There are many ideas, thoughts, philosophies, and of course scientific studies, that one must consider when making an informed decision about the use of these technologies. 

1. Explain how cloning works for mammals (e.g., humans, sheep). Include at least one diagram to help explain.
2. What technologies are involved in this process (e.g., machines, tools, etc.)?
3. Create a chart comparing the pros and cons of cloning.