Sustaining @ Individuals
Introduction
Science and technology have driven both the advancement of medicine and our understanding of how our bodies work and the causes of many diseases. This has helped increase our life expectancy and maintain our well-being. For example, vaccines help prevent terrible infectious diseases, such as poliomyelitis and tuberculosis, and antibiotics effectively cure many diseases caused by bacterial infections. In recent years, gene therapy and organ regeneration have moved closer to reality through breakthroughs in molecular biology and stem cell research. The latest research in neuroscience has revealed the underlying mechanisms of complicated mental diseases such as autism, offering hope for the development of treatments for these diseases.
Science and technology also help sustain the quality of life for the elderly and people with special needs. Innovative gerontechnology products, such as stair climbers and smart health monitoring devices, help make the life of elderly people more comfortable and convenient at home, in homes for the elderly, and in the community. Biomedical engineering technologies developed in recent years can even identify and read brain signals, allowing the brain to control external devices outside the human body. This offers the potential for people with special needs to live independently.
The programmes in the “Sustaining @ Individuals” series introduce some of the many ways in which science and technology contribute to sustaining our health and quality of life.
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