Today’s lesson was on healthcare and biomedical science, the impacts it had on various sectors. Biobusiness is an important aspect of the global economy, contributing to 25% of GDP and employing more than 40% of the world’s labor force.
One point Prof brought out was that 50% of the employees in the Biobusiness are engaged in low wage subsistence farming, hence not maximizing the full potential of the biobusiness industry.
Valley and Summit opportunities:
Valley – Low value added agriculture
Summit – New innovations like cure for HIV, cancer and cloning technology etc
2 types of diseases:
Communicable disease vs Non communicable disease
An interesting observation is that non-communicable disease is increasing at an unprecedented rate. Diseases like obesity, high blood pressure are on the rise in developed countries. On the other hand, communicable diseases, which are generally infectious diseases that are preventable, are on the decline. However, with the right policies and a few interventions, we can prevent all these from happening.
Interesting Observations:
US healthcare system – Sicko (where health insurance companies made use of loopholes to avoid paying healthcare insurance for the needy)
Prostitution is a form of biobusiness?
Issues for further discussion:
-Long distance healthcare services (Is it possible and viable in the long run?)
I personally think nothing can substitute for personal service especially if it is something as critical as healthcare.
-Implications of biotech in the future
Personal Rating
I would rate this lesson a 7/10. We covered many interesting points but we could have delved deeper into several of the issues for further discussion. Overall, I enjoyed today’s lesson and the speakers presented on interesting topics as well.
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