Medical Innovations: Stem Cells, Gene Therapy & Reproduction

New Medicine: Stem Cells, Gene Therapy & Reproduction

Stem cells: (cardiovascular diseases, nervous system diseases, autoimmune diseases)

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy: (• hereditary diseases: cystic fibrosis and familial hypercholesterolemia; • acquired diseases: e.g., autoimmune diseases, AIDS, cancer — implantation of normal copies of tumor suppressor genes such as p53; blocking the expression of oncogenes; genes that increase sensitivity to anticancer drugs; gene-induced cell suicide or apoptosis; gene insertion to enhance the defensive action of leukocytes)

Assisted Reproduction

Assisted reproduction:

• Artificial insemination: deposit of semen in the woman's uterus after using substances to stimulate the ovary.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF): a group of eggs are put in contact with sperm in the laboratory.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): directly injecting a sperm into an egg; the embryo will then be implanted.
• Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT): similar to in vitro, but the gametes are transferred directly to the fallopian tubes by laparoscopy.

Preimplantation diagnosis: aims to identify any serious hereditary diseases or other disorders that affect the viability of the embryo.

Cryopreservation: To preserve embryos and gametes, nitrogen cryopreservation using liquid nitrogen at -196 °C is used.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine: advances leverage computers (internet) to provide medical care to patients.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery: uses high-precision automated devices that are controlled by a surgical team and is very useful in interventions. It can be done remotely by surgeons.

Medical Research: Patents and Generic Drugs

Patents: A patent is an exploitation right granted by a state for the exploitation of a discovery.

Generic drugs: Generic drugs have the same characteristics as others whose patents have expired and are used as reference, but are much cheaper. They undergo bioequivalence testing.

Health in developing countries: types of diseases, lack of health personnel, lack of economic resources.

Natural and Alternative Therapies

Natural and alternative therapies: they attempt to enhance the body's response to disease, rather than resorting to drugs or surgery.

Nutritional and Environmental Medicine

Nutritional and Environmental Medicine: assumes the role played by healthful foods.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy: based on substances that can produce symptoms similar to a disease; proponents use highly diluted preparations that they claim can cure.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture: insertion of needles into very specific points of the body to prevent diseases by restoring energy flows.

Osteopathy and Chiropractic

Osteopathy and chiropractic: use manipulation of the musculoskeletal apparatus. Physical therapy and manual manipulation are performed by a rehabilitation physician.

Mind-Body Modalities

Mind-body modalities: consist of the interaction between body, brain, mind, and behavior and their influence on emotional, mental, and social health. Examples include hypnosis, meditation, and relaxation.

Pseudo-alternative Medicine

Pseudo-alternative medicine: unable to demonstrate its effectiveness in rigorous studies and trials. Nevertheless, the body releases some chemicals such as endorphins, which can ease pain and alter blood flow.

Integrative Medicine

Integrative medicine: combining traditional medicine with alternative approaches; many ailments have psychosomatic components.