Small doses of the future [electronic resource] : a collection of medical science fiction stories / Brad Aiken.

Small doses of the future [electronic resource] : a collection of medical science fiction stories / Brad Aiken.

9783319042534 electronic book
331904253X electronic book
9783319042527

Cham : Springer, 2014.

English

1 online resource (xi, 193 pages) : illustrations.

10.1007/978-3-319-04253-4 doi

PS3601.I39

813/.6

Like many fields of science, the future of medicine is frequently predicted by the science fiction writers of today, very much as many of today's medical advances were presaged by science fiction stories of the past. In this book, physician and science fiction author Brad Aiken conveys his own speculations about our medical future through nine highly entertaining and thought-provoking short stories. Touching upon a great variety of themes, including but not limited to telemedicine and remote surgery, vaccination strategies against unknown deathly pathogens, nanomedicine to cure diseases and retard ageing, bionics, cloning and euthanasia, we get a glimpse of what might be awaiting humanity. Yet, in these stories it is always the protagonists, humans after all, who remain at the center stage, not the new technologies. This provides the fictional material with a unique blend of science fiction and social fantasy. It also warns us to be wary of the pitfalls of too much reliance on dehumanizing technology and to make sure it remains our helper, not our master. Last but not least, an extensive scientific essay investigates the interplay between science fiction and both past and current advances in medical sciences and technology, making the link to the fictional material in the book as well as to the relevant scientific literature.

Access limited to authorized users.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (SpringerLink, viewed February 17, 2014).

Science and fiction (Springer (Firm))

Online Resources > Ebooks
All Resources