I visited the science museum in London, this was a fantastic
experience. Several of the exhibitions at the science museum are about health
and medicine. Looking at the history of medicine and how it has developed over
the years was amazing. The transformation in the availability of treatments and
machines was particularly eye-opening. The use of trephining in the Egyptian
times was interesting, showing how the beliefs of people have changed from
spiritual to medical.
Further on in the exhibition there were modern models of the
body, showcasing how Ancient Egyptians thought the arteries and veins ran and
also their understanding of muscle and bone layout. Additionally, there were
models of how the human body truly is detailed which were created using modern
technology. This was captivating to see as it showed the body in a way which
was both factual and accessible. It opened my eyes to the complexity of our
bodies and how one little change can cause someone to become drastically ill.
Another exhibition called ‘Who Am I?’ looked into the
genetic make-up of each individual human. This was amazing to see as it showed
how we really are very different yet similar at the same time. The most
interesting aspect of this was how they have mapped the brain of a person; this
was portrayed using different colours to represent the separate neuron
pathways. The use of MRI scans on many people showed how the brain can be
mapped, showing the differences in neuron functions between individuals but
also highlighting any genetic disorders such as cancer or Alzheimer’s.
The ‘Who Am I?’ project looked into autism and how it was
first looked into as a disease. Investigating the idea of the ‘theory of mind’
really gave me an insight into what it would be like to live with the disease.
The disorder affects the prefrontal cortex of the brain which controls reasoning,
problem-solving, memory, voluntary movement and sensation. This
exhibition allowed me to empathise with those with this condition; their lack
of judgement and ability to predict others’ actions must be perplexing for the
individual. Working alongside children with the genetic disorder during my
volunteering at Ashgate Croft school for children with additional needs (please
see separate entry for more details) really allowed me to apply the scientific
knowledge to practice empathising with the individual.
Seeing the original iron lungs that were used to keep people
alive really highlighted how medicine has advanced since the 1930s. The fact
that the iron lung was once relied upon to enable polio suffers to breath when
the chest muscles were paralysed was shocking when I considered how aged this
equipment now looks to a modern eye. This really shows how the views of the
general public have changed regarding the high level of technology and care that
they expect to be provided in the 21st century. 