This document discusses how technology and medicine have improved lives but benefits are not equally available. It provides background on medical advances over the last century and an activity where students research a disease and its treatment. Pairs of students investigate illnesses like polio, measles or diabetes and the vaccines or medicines developed. An example is provided on smallpox and Edward Jenner's 1796 discovery of vaccination. While treatments have been life-saving, their availability depends on factors like cost and access. In conclusion, technology has enhanced quality of life but not all can partake in the benefits.

1. Medicine Magic: Science and Technology By Kalena Gries 9-16-09

2. Science Standard 1 – The Nature of Science and Technology Indicator 4.1.7 – Discuss and give examples of how technology, such as computers and medicines, has improved the lives of many people, although the benefits are not equally available to all. Taken from: http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.aspx Link to activity: http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/sci/sci_4_1_7.pdf

3. Definitions Vaccine – a substance made from the germs that cause a disease which is given to people to prevent them getting the disease Symptom – a sign or an indication of disorder or disease, especially when experienced by an individual as a change from normal function, sensation, or appearance Diagnosis -- the act or process of identifying or determining the nature and cause of a disease or injury through evaluation of patient history, examination, and review of laboratory data; the opinion derived from such an evaluation Prescription – a written order, especially by a physician, for the preparation and administration of a medicine or other treatment Pharmacy – the place where drugs are prepared, dispensed, or sold; a drugstore. Also called apothecary. Taken from: www.thefreedictionary.com

4. Background Information Although it is inconvenient to get sick, recovering from an illness today is a lot faster and easier than it was even 100 years ago. A century ago, if you were sick, the doctor would come to you, but he had very few medicines to help make you better; most illness were not treatable. Today, if you feel sick, you go to the doctor’s office where he will likely give you a medicine to treat your specific illness. Unfortunately, even today not everyone can go to the doctor and get the medicine they need.

5. Discuss and Brainstorm What do you do to get better when you are sick? Go to the doctor Take medicine Rest/sleep Stay home Wash hands Drink lots of water Illnesses to Research Polio Measles Chicken pox Scarlet fever Strep throat Diabetes Mumps Whooping cough Influenza Cancer Etc.

6. Research Divide the class into pairs, give each pair a copy of the BLM Magic Medicine , and let each pair pick an illness to research. Review the BLM so students know what info. they are seeking. Take students to the library and/or computer lab to find information on their illness. Possible research websites: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/ http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ http://www.who.int/topics/vaccines/en/ http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/default.htm

7. Medicine Magic Example Name of illness: Smallpox Name of treatment (or vaccine): Smallpox vaccine (1 st successful vaccine to be developed); Dryvax (modern name for the vaccine) Scientist(s) who discovered treatment (or vaccine): Edward Jenner Date of discovery: 1796 Location of discovery: England How was it discovered? “ Jenner took the fluid from a cowpox pustule on a dairymaid's hand and inoculated an 8-year-old boy. Six weeks later, he exposed the boy to smallpox, and the boy did not develop any symptoms.” (From http://dermatology.about.com/cs/smallpox/a/smallpoxhx.htm )

8. Medicine Magic Example Cont. How has this treatment (or vaccine) made people’s lives better? The vaccine has been used to eradicate smallpox worldwide. A few samples of the virus still exist in laboratories for research and to make the vaccine. Is it available to most people? Yes, it has been administered worldwide. Explain why you think this treatment (or vaccine) is or is not available to most people. The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a massive, worldwide outbreak search and vaccination program to fight smallpox.

9. Medicine Magic Summaries/Conclusions Allow each pair of students to share the information they collected about their illness. Discuss any similarities in reasons for why medical treatment is or is not equally available to everyone. Cost of treatment Difficulty of actually getting it to people Necessity of treatment Extend this idea of unequal availability to other inventions and technologies, such as computer/internet, electricity, indoor plumbing, etc. 4.1.7 summary – Technology has made our lives easier and improved our quality of life; the benefits, however, are not experienced everywhere around the world.

10. Resources Smallpox http://dermatology.about.com/cs/smallpox/a/smallpoxhx.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox_vaccine Vaccines http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/ http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ http://www.who.int/topics/vaccines/en/ http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/default.htm