Diseases are invisible
- Correspondence to: S Fredriksen, Centre for Medical Ethics, The University of Oslo, Fredrik Holsts hus, Pb 1130 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway; stale.fredriksen{at}medetikk.uio.no
- Accepted 28 June 2002
Abstract
The success of modern medicine is closely related to its ability to transcend the human senses. Technological advances such as stethoscopes, microscopes, and x rays overstep the boundaries of human perception. They enable us to see what is invisible to the unaided senses. These technologies have brought about fundamental changes to medicine—for the most part for the better. But they have also caught us in a tragic trap. They have left us in an odd position where we can no longer trust our senses concerning the health status of our body. Sense transcending technologies have made us aware that we can have a serious disease without experiencing any symptoms at all. In order to benefit from these technologies, we have to live with inescapable side effects.
