"I don't believe medical discoveries are doing much to advance human life. As fast as we create ways to extend it we are inventing ways to shorten it"
- Christiaan Barnard
About this Quote
This quote by Christiaan Barnard recommends that in spite of medical discoveries, human life is not being extended. In fact, Barnard implies that medical discoveries are in fact reducing human life. This might be analyzed as a criticism of modern medication, as Barnard suggests that medical discoveries are not having the desired result of extending human life. He could be referring to the reality that medical discoveries have actually led to the development of brand-new treatments and medications, however these treatments and medications can have adverse effects that can be harmful to human health. Furthermore, Barnard might be describing the truth that medical discoveries have actually caused the development of new innovations, such as nuclear weapons, which can have a devastating impact on human life. Eventually, Barnard's quote recommends that medical discoveries are not having actually the desired effect of extending human life, and may even be having the opposite impact.
"Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage"