Watching the BBC Horizon program on cancer and modern treatments, what struck me the most was that these new innovations have come about due to the power and application of modern computers. In being able to:
a) display in 3D the molecular structure of specific parts of human DNA, and drugs;
b) design at a molecular level the structure of "new" drugs and to see their fit into defective DNA structures;
c) the ability to control large robotic machines in real time in order to assist a surgeon perform an operation or to deliver radiation to a highly specific target area.
Each application is no doubt very expensive to deliver in these early pioneer days, but will surely reduce in cost as they become more commonplace.
This modern computing power has been available for sometime, but in the past has mainly been applied to military and military style applications (like modelling nuclear explosions, designing fighter planes etc.). Or to government sponsored activities like weather forecasting, communication surveillance, etc.
Now with its application in medicine it should not be long before we all benefit from improved treatments an new drugs designed and developed in a much faster timescale than previously possible become available.
A brighter future is surely empowered by the digital world.
Discusses views from the UK both cultural and political. With a distinct interest in software.
