Perfect
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Health
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One of the most enduring images
of 19th century medicine is the snake-oil merchant. Promising cures for
everything from cancer to the common cold, these quack peddlers sold their
dubious wares to those seeking miracle elixirs and tonics. Our understanding of disease and its treatment has since changed. Nonetheless, the tradition of the 19th century miracle vendor shares at least one thing in common with our current endeavor to develop better, more effective drugs-the promise of healthcare in a bottle. In recent times, the advancing field of biotechnology has provided us with new means to combat disease. Researchers are now able to design drugs to treat a wide range of ailments, from infection to mood disorders. However, the power of drugs to provide comfort and health to millions comes at a price. Mood-affecting drugs with the power to lift depression may compromise other aspects of personality. Widespread antibiotic use accelerates the development of drug resistance in harmful bacteria, threatening to leave us defenseless against infectious diseases. The enormous expense of drug development, coupled with cost cutting in public healthcare, limits access to drugs by the poor. Direct drug marketing and the "gadgetization" of medicine place increased pressure on healthcare professionals to respond to patient demands. To resolve these dilemmas, we must first clearly understand them. This site is meant to serve as a resource for general information about pharamceutical technologies and the issues surrounding their development, sale and use. |
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This site created by: Perfect Drugs Joslyn Tobin Bennett Christy Dolph Chris Liverman Tharaphi Than Kendra Young Grinnell College December 2001 |