There is a bone in my heart and kidney in my brain

Dont get surprised by the title of this blog. I have not lost my sanity or hit the blues yet again. Rather the opposite. We had quite a day at school. It started with a lecture on stem cell therapy and we moved on to nanotechnology. Both lectures were fascinating, at moments I felt as if I was listening to a science fiction. I also had hearty laugh when there was discussion of creating 'non sticky glue' or water resistant/stain proof/ bacteria resistant clothes using nano technology. It is amazing how rapidly the science and technology is changing around us and how hard it is to get correct and sound information from this explosion of information. We are floating in this ocean of information, most of the times being quite unsure about how to process this information and how can we best use this technology.

Today, I got one clarification which I have been struggling with for quite some time. I wont need to store cord blood of my babies as there is no direct and real benefit of it, is expensive and there are huge doubts about the collection process, storage and overall quality assurance of such bio-banks. I remembered a number of my girlfriends who have invested a lot of money in storing these samples for their children. India is always quick to accept, integrate and indegenize a new technology. We have these cord blood banks mushrooming everywhere, their glossy pamphlets and brochures and celestial promises and hopes for a bright healthy future for the child. Decisions are not always easy unless you have access to true experts who can differential facts from the myths in a way that general population can understand. Stem cell therapy is classic example, we learned about false claims made by some clinics endangering the lives of patients who sought services at such clinics and what do you do if these clinics pop up first on the Google search results. The message today was clear, dont be fooled by the claims. Be aware, well informed client/customer.

One of my teachers always urged me to acquire the skills to communicate most complicated scientific data to the lay man in simplest language and yet get the point across. Speak to the audiences, make these distant technical domains into a reality that everyone can feel part of. Write books for larger audiences, beyond the academia, use whatever means one needs to reach out to the people who need correct yet simplified information. Today, I really felt the importance of it. As a person not involved in stem cell research or nano technology, it was easy to get lost or to feel terribly and misleadingly impressed with all the claims of such development. I think both my teachers today did a fantastic job of simplifying the most technical and complex discussions into something very simple, easy to understand yet very technical and sound. They also made us look at these technologies with critical eye and to be aware of ethical/moral dilemmas that are being created in the process. I some day hope to be able to teach like that.. whatever field that may be, medicine, public health, anthropology or ethics. I want to be a teacher, the kind of teachers that shaped my life. I want to pay it forward.

The other thing that fascinated me today was the NEJM publication of corneal implant from limbal stem cells in Italy. I kept dreaming with my open eyes how much blindness can be corrected in my country if we can make this technology accessible and affordable in vast majority of India, both urban and rural. Corneal opacity is the leading cause of blindness in India, also in children. Some of it can be prevented by timely supplement of vitamin A but we still have lot of children going blind. Adults with traumatic eye injury, chemical burns and acid attacks.. I could not keep my excitement in control thinking about these future possibilities. I know I have to be realistic and there are still many challenges to overcome but is it wrong to dream about a healthier future? I am well aware that health for all is still a far fetched dream for many people in this world, but I dont want to turn a blind eye to every other advance till we achieve basic health care for all.

Yesterday I wrote about what kind of future I see for myself as a woman both professionally and personally. I had a living example of kind of woman I want to be in next 20 years. I want to be like the professor we had this morning. Her personality, style, ability to explain and teach, everything was fascinating. I kept looking at her with great respect and inspiration. I really want to be like her, a complete woman, strong, gentle, articulate, beautiful, intelligent.. all in one...I have a role model now.. I cant wait to hug the future me....