The Media and I: Medical Advances

By Henry I. Miller, MS, MD — Mar 28, 2024
My conversation with Lars Larson covered some new medical breakthroughs, from desperately-needed new antibiotics to the rapidly expanding applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medicine.
Image by Michi S from Pixabay

In a lively exchange with Lars Larson, we dove headfirst into the realm of groundbreaking medical advancements, touching on the pressing issue of antibiotic resistance. I highlighted promising developments in antibiotic research, including potential game-changers like Zosurabalpin and treatments for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which hold immense potential for combating antibiotic-resistant infections—a critical concern in the medical community.

We delved into the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing drug discovery, with AI algorithms streamlining the search for novel therapies and significantly reducing the time and resources required for research and development. Our conversation also touched on AI's role in improving medical imaging analysis and enhancing mental health triage – an area where AI has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in expediting access to care for individuals in crisis.

However, Lars raised valid concerns about integrating AI into medical practice, particularly regarding the potential for overreliance on AI-generated diagnoses. We explored the delicate balance between leveraging AI as a valuable tool and ensuring that human judgment remains paramount in patient care. While acknowledging the transformative potential of AI in medicine, we underscored the importance of maintaining a human-centric approach to healthcare, where technology complements rather than supplants the expertise of medical professionals.

 

You can find the complete conversation here: Part I  Part II

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Are We On The Cusp Of Historic Medical Technologies? (Part 1)

Are We On The Cusp Of Historic Medical Technologies? (Part 2)

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Henry I. Miller, MS, MD

Henry I. Miller, MS, MD, is the Glenn Swogger Distinguished Fellow at the American Council on Science and Health. His research focuses on public policy toward science, technology, and medicine, encompassing a number of areas, including pharmaceutical development, genetic engineering, models for regulatory reform, precision medicine, and the emergence of new viral diseases. Dr. Miller served for fifteen years at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a number of posts, including as the founding director of the Office of Biotechnology.

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