Welcome to the last 5-Shot Friday of 2016.
In retrospect, the main underlying theme of many of this year’s posts has been science fiction isn’t fiction, it’s here. A number of cutting edge companies and institutions have products in the market, and are accelerating their offerings in healthcare as well as direct to consumers. Singularity University has been one of the leaders in keeping track of these developments, as well as cultivating talent and companies in this space.
The article by Raya Bidshahri is as nice a note to end 2016 on, as we look forward to the new year:
"For the first time one species, Homo sapiens, could consciously control its destiny on this planet. Humans have been shaping ourselves, the environment and other species for thousands of years. Soon, we’ll be able to fully control our own biology too, transcending our natural limitations."
"According to roboticist and author Daniel Wilson, “You can graph human evolution, which is mostly a straight line, but we do get better and change over time, and you can graph technological evolution, which is a line that"s going straight up. They are going to intersect each other at some point, and that"s happening now...By controlling the genetic language of life, we can more directly control nature to our benefit. This is already happening. Just last year, gene editing saved a girl dying of leukemia for the first time, highlighting the potential for genetic engineering to enhance medical treatment."
In parallel with increased capacity, there’s growing awareness of the need for increased caution. The Overdiagnosis movement in primary care medicine is a prime example – with every tech development there are inherent limitations and reasons to NOT use it willy nilly, as more harm than good has actually, quantifiably resulted.
"Many have raised concerns over the negative applications of genetic engineering, including eugenics-like movements, bioweapons, superbugs and super-soldiers. There are serious social and ethical concerns about the kind of legal controls that are to be placed on research in the field. There’s also uncertainty around the potential unintended consequences of genetic manipulation."
"How should the limits of research be decided? Who should have access to such technologies? How can we ensure that survival of the fittest does not become survival of the wealthy? How are we to decide which traits are desirable or not? These are significant questions we must grapple with in order to maximize the benefits and minimize the harm of modifying our biology."
"But the potential benefits of modifying biology are revolutionary. Doctors would gain access to a powerful tool to tackle disease, allowing us to live healthier lives. We might extend our lifespan and modify our brain’s building blocks to become more intelligent and capable."
"Stephen Hawking notes that “with genetic engineering, we will be able to increase the complexity of our DNA, and improve the human race."
"Genetic engineering, biotechnology and neurotechnology are catalyzing the powerful transition from biological to digital evolution—and the latter will be exponentially faster and more powerful. It’ll soon be up to us what direction we choose."
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Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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