Week 4: Medicine + Technology + Art

I found this week’s lecture to be the most intriguing yet, as it explored the intersection of medicine, technology, and art – a combination that enriches the general understanding of the field of science. Something particularly fascinating was the discussion on Henry Gray and his foundational work, “Gray’s Anatomy.” This book is a facet of how art and science are intertwined throughout history, with artists and scientists driving to understand the complexities of the human body. Gray’s text not only revolutionized medical textbooks with its detailed anatomical illustrations and descriptions but also significantly influenced popular culture with the TV show Grey’s Anatomy. As a previous fan of the tv show, I was excited to learn about the origin of the show’s name and its connection to the iconic text, highlighting the pervasive impact across many disciplines (Human Body & Medical Technologies Lecture 1).

[Figure 1] Gray's Anatomy (Henry Gray)

The lecture also highlighted many modern technological advancements, such as the use of X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, that have transformed the world’s approach to medicine (Human Body & Medical Technologies Lecture 2). My previous studies in psychology courses have given me an introduction to these machines and how they work. However, this lecture deepened my understanding by connecting these machines to broader historical contexts and how they affect today's world. In the text “MRI as Mirror and Portrait,” the author explains how MRI uses both scientific and artistic expressions, illustrating how this imaging technology not only advances medical knowledge but also engages with a form of creative expression as if it is a portrait with a capacity for being performative (Casini, 73).

[Figure 2] Art Inspired by MRI brain scans (Laura Jacobson)

My high school Biotechnology class introduced me about the Human Genome Project as we learned many skills while conducting various DNA labs. The groundbreaking achievement of sequencing the entire human genome not only propelled innovation in genomic sequencing technology but also opened up a new field of scientific research. The project stands as a testament to the role of technological advancement in driving scientific discovery, reminding us that much of what we don’t know is simply waiting to be discovered (Human Genome Project Fact Sheet).

[Figure 3] Human Genome Project (NHGRI)

These technological explorations into the human body, through advanced imaging and genomic sequencing, highlight an overall theme of medical innovation driven by necessity and curiosity. This is showcased when learning about the history of plastic surgery and how it originally came from the practical and urgent needs of war (Human Body & Medical Technologies Lecture 3).

Works Cited

Casini, Silvia. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as mirror and portrait: MRI configurations between science and the Arts.” Configurations, vol. 19, no. 1, Dec. 2011, pp. 73–99, https://doi.org/10.1353/con.2011.0008.

“Human Genome Project Fact Sheet.” National Human Genome Research Institute, www.genome.gov/about-genomics/educational-resources/fact-sheets/human-genome-project. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Vesna, Victoria. “Human Body and Medical Technologies Lecture 1.” https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=6671243.

Vesna, Victoria. “Human Body and Medical Technologies Lecture 2.” https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=6671243.

Vesna, Victoria. “Human Body and Medical Technologies Lecture 3.” https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-4-view?module_item_id=6671243.

Image citations

[Figure 2] Donald, Brooke. Stanford Arts, 18 June 2013, arts.stanford.edu/artwork-inspired-by-mri-brain-scans-installed-at-stanford-imaging-center/.

[Figure 1] Gray’s Anatomy: Gray, Henry: 9781435114937: Amazon.Com: Books, www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Leatherbound-Classics-Classic-Collection/dp/1435114930. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

[Figure 3] “The Human Genome Project.” National Human Genome Research Institute, www.genome.gov/human-genome-project. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.