Sandy Supposes....

Cures?

Fun Fact Friday! On this day in 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered the antibiotic penicillin in the mold Penicillium notatum. Assuming there are governments in the world not corrupted by large pharmaceutical corporations, when do you think we'll see cures and/or better ways of living with life-threatening and chronic illness, diseases, and other afflictions?

         

         

         

         

         

         I honestly don't know when, or if we'll ever see a cure for many illnesses. Then again, this may well have been what people thought in the years preceding the discovery of penicillin. Some miracle discoveries occur when least expected. They can be flukes, or coincidences. Some are found to be more useful for an entirely different disease than the one intended.

          Research takes time, effort, and funding. Anything drug-related is heavily controlled by government agencies.. I imagine the red tape is mind-boggling. There is a strictly sanctioned protocol for the introduction of a new drug. I believe that most of this is for consumer protection.

         Even with all these policies in place,a potentially dangerous/deadly drug can be manufactured and released to the public. Yes, pharmaceutical companies are expecting to make profits, but consumers sometimes push for instant relief and cures. People are often impatient and looking for expediency. They do not think of long term effects, or adverse effects. One horrific drug, thalidomide, was prescribed to pregnant women experiencing morning sickness/nausea. It was touted as a miracle breakthrough. Doctors willingly offered it. Unfortunately, this drug caused serious birth defects.

         I'm not convinced that each and every illness/disease can be cured solely with drugs. Humans sometimes rely on the quick fix. They want convenience, no fuss, no muss. Some do not take an active role in helping themselves. Many do not change their lifestyles, or adopt more positive habits. I've known diabetics who will not eat a healthy diet, and they ignore obvious symptoms. I've known people who eat their allergy-trigger foods. There are smokers. There are recreational drug users. There are addicts. There are alcoholics. They all engage in risky behaviour.

         My sister, Laurie had Multiple Sclerosis. She never dreamt she'd be battling a crippling disease, and ultimately losing. All her efforts failed. No drugs, or lifestyle changes saved her. Sure, research exists. Yes, drugs are created, and tested. The trouble is that the medical community still does not understand this disease. At the moment, individual symptoms are treated with varying success.