The dynamic nature of medical research

Scientific investigation, research, is a worthwhile venture. Such an inquest is always the high point of knowledge acquisition. And it is of great honour to any scientist when such, in the end, comes along with a valid finding (s) that receives global acceptance. But the process is tedious.

Looking through the lens of the microscope daily, hourly, observing microbial cultures, mixing of chemicals in a test-tube, and medical trials were done on mice, etc., are processes that require huge investments.

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Activities in the laboratory are never going to slow down in spite of the cumbersome processes involved. With diseases becoming resistant to earlier medical treatments, with new ways of undertaking diagnosis, with the resurgent of previous diseases, etc., there is no end in sight to the laboratory activities. And there are yet much more scientific discoveries that we haven’t witnessed even when much has been done already.

Scientific knowledge is subject to change. Medical research is unpredictable. Trying to keep track of the results from the medical study can invite unprecedented panic in some cases. No one can tell what new suggestion/precaution will be announced. A significant aspect of the dynamism can be observed in the area of food and nutrition. More often than not, you may be warned, today, not to consume a particular food item but in no distant future, the recommendation is swiftly reversed.

As an example, on health reasons, white meat has been popularly recommended to replace red meat. But in the recent past, June 2019, that same white meat has lost favour with the scientists. It is seen to have the same cholesterol effect as its red meat counterpart. During the same period under consideration so also has the drinking of coffee been given the red flag.

Conflicting findings argue how many cups of it are safe for the body. Which of them, then, can be trusted? Our diets of yesterday are at “risk” today. We may say that they are “endangered”. In future, if care isn’t taken we may end up abandoning the nutritious meals we once knew owing to how “unfriendly” research may say they are.

Yes, medical research has helped us to live healthy lives, but it shouldn’t be seen as being unreliable. We commend the tireless efforts of our scientists. They are in a special class of achievers. From them are more research findings expected that will effectively tackle our numerous health challenges. But we need guarantees the next time we hear from them.

By Itoro Orok

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