Advances in medicine: the disabled stand

In this article from India, we're assured that we're progressing along the predicted curve of medical advancements. A young disabled person is able to lift herself up by the push of a button. The concept of Luke Skywalker's artificial hand being attached where he lost his to Darth Vader seems right around the corner.

There is a dark side to all of this life-extending medical advancement in fiction as well. Many speculative fiction stories feature population control scenarios stemming from our fantastic doctors becoming capable of keeping us alive and well far beyond current life spans. These stories presuppose that we can't get to a balanced zero growth population at the same time. Hence the implied need for population control.

Regardless of the doom and gloom that runs parallel to great medical advances, I'm personally rejuvenated when I read about such progress. The inventive folks in the medical realm keep up their part of the dream. We are all hoping for improved human health possibilities to arise and they've continued to materialize dramatically during my entire life.

Sure, I've also seen cloning become a reality, phones don't need wires and pretty soon holograms will replace my TV. But none of these things are as important as my health and the means to maintain it. How does that saying go?: you've got nothing if you don't have your health.