Mauricio Featherman

It’s hard to imagine a world without computers, cell-phones, the internet, and many of the other technologies that have come to dominate our lives. However, the pervasiveness of these innovations is a relatively recent phenomenon, and we can be sure that the continuing advances made in technologies of varying sorts will drastically change our lives in the not so distant future.
Computers, phones, and gadgets pre-dominate our consciousness when we talk about emerging technologies, but I would like to think a little bit about where the future is heading in terms of medical advancement. We have been fighting the cancer battle for a long time now, and although it is true that in many ways cancer is not as frightening a disease as it used to be, there is also no question that medical science has not found its ‘cure.’ Yet there is some interesting technologies being developed to help fight this disease.
Microneedles and quantum dots are now under development to be used in both the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer and several other illnesses. Quantum dots are nanocrystals of semiconductors, which can be made to glow in different colors which can help physicians to see tumors better and help deliver medications. Microneedles deliver the drugs in a more painless and precise way making this technique much more efficacious with fewer side effects and less discomfort.

The end of the 20th century saw enormous advances in technologies on every front of scientific development. The beginning of the 21st century has proven that this development is unstoppable, and mankind can be sure that in the coming decades the world will continue to change as emerging technologies find their way into the everyday lives of people.