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The Advancement Of Medicine And Technology

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The advancement of medicine and technology causes scientists and doctors to find new ways to cure or at least lessen the power of diseases. Although there are staunch opponents of these advancements, advocates understand the necessity for medical research. To this day, scientists are yet to discover cures for diseases and cancers that take the lives of millions of people annually. For those that live with horrifying illnesses, death does not always seem to be the worst idea. Depression and other mental illnesses are known to drive victims into high stress situations and eventually suicide. Over 30,000 people in the United States die annually because of suicide, and considering ninety percent of those deaths have direct ties to mental illness; research must be done to fight mental diseases (NIH). Although first developed in 1938, electroconvulsive therapy remained too dangerous for scientists to use until the latter part of the 20th century. Electroconvulsive therapy intimidates one unfamiliar to the therapy without breaking a sweat; however, the science behind it reveals a safe, effective treatment. The treatment involves around a dozen rounds of therapy, spread out over a four week period. While a patient undergoes the therapy, he or she battles physical and mental obstacles, which include nausea, vomiting, and confusion. The side effects, although uncommon, consist of memory loss and, in rare instances, heart trouble. On the other hand, electroconvulsive therapy shows

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