Page 24 - Humanism 2019

Bioscience experts are using gold nanoparticles, which are Adapting is Medical Pluralism
MRI-visible and have unique quantum properties, Medical pluralism is when a patient has a number of
allowing them to attach to disease-fighting cells. Mikhail choices in selecting treatment. The term was coined
Lukin, a physics professor at Harvard and an expert in specifically to describe the treatment avenues available in
quantum optics and atomic physics, is developing the early modern age, e.g. barbershop surgeons,
techniques to eventually use diamond particles, which are apothecaries, physicians or wise women/village elders. A
non-toxic, to image human cells internally to detect person suffering from illness or disease could choose one
disease without exposing patients to radiation. of these potential treatment or all of them. While the
Quantum medicine is based on the idea that life and pluralism suggests multiple healing options competing on
illnesses are a coherent network. Living things are affected a level playing field, this is often not the case.
by all of their systems as well as environmental influences. To understand medical pluralism, one must understand
Quantum physics suggests human health is affected by the both traditional and bio-medicine, since medical pluralism
connections between group behavior, interactions within mixes and intertwines different medical systems. The
the body, the mind, and emotions. Oxford Dictionary defines medicine as the “study of

Innovative health care opportunities built on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.” I
principles of quantum mechanics will revolutionize health consider this an archaic and, frankly, lacking definition of
care as we know it, including diagnosis, transmission, medicine. Medicine is perhaps better defined as the study
treatment, maintenance, and data storage. We should all of an adapting, dynamic, ever-multilayered environment
educate ourselves on how quantum technology will affect inclusive of understanding and observing individuals,
and transform health care into the future. health care systems, and population cultures and the
interactions between them that facilitate health.

Figure 2. Adapting from
feedback between
Population/Cultures,
Health Care Systems,
Technology and Individuals is
required to allow the
definition of Health to be fluid
Diagram created by Dr. Brion Benninger
Multidirectional communication between
Population/Cultures, Health Care Systems, and
the Individual with an emphasis on Plurality &
Quantum Physics enabling Adapting to empower
an Individual to define Health and allow the
definition to be fluid from person to person and
along a chronological aging timeframe.

21 HUMANISM IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES 2019 • VOL. 22