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Mastery Over Life: Promises and Perils of Biogenetics

In: Technology’s Promise

Author

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  • William E. Halal

Abstract

The advance of medicine has been long and slow. As George Washington lay dying from a throat ailment, his physicians bled him occasionally to “relieve the body of foul humours” — actually draining away the very energy needed to survive. Just a few decades ago, before the discovery of penicillin, we were helpless against wave after wave of tuberculosis, typhoid, plague, smallpox, whopping cough, polio, and other horrible illnesses that swept through society at will. Today, less than 10% of deaths in modern nations are due to infectious disease, while the other 90% are the result of environment, genetics, and lifestyle.1

Suggested Citation

  • William E. Halal, 2008. "Mastery Over Life: Promises and Perils of Biogenetics," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Technology’s Promise, chapter 0, pages 64-78, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-0-230-58253-8_5
    DOI: 10.1057/9780230582538_5
    as

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