The Future
When we were kids, growing up watching Star Trek and other science fiction shows, my friends and I dreamed of a future that never really materialized — one filled with personal robots and flying cars. And we didn't predict inventions that have arguably had much greater impact — like the Internet or smart phones. To be fair, though, not too many people saw that coming.
Predicting the future can be tricky. But, as more than one person has said: the best way to predict the future is to create it yourself. So if you want to know what the future holds, you should ask the innovators and dreamers who are building the future, today.
That's what we've done in our latest issue of Medicine Magazine - which will be coming to your inbox on May 5. We asked some of the leading minds at our Faculty of Medicine what they think the future of medicine will look like. Their answers, not surprisingly, are as diverse as our Faculty itself.
As you'll see in the issue sometimes, two researchers will have opposing views. For example, Jim Woodgett, who is a professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics and Director of Research at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute thinks that we won't be able to significantly increase lifespans. On the other hand, Alan Moody, the Chair of the Department of Medical Imaging, thinks that diagnostic and other breakthroughs will see us raise average lifespans to 120 or beyond. Sometimes our researchers look ahead and see a bright future for the human race: like Star Trek. Others see something a little more dystopian: like Mad Max.
I would tell you more about those predictions, but I don't want to give away too many details. I can tell you though, that beyond the predictions, we're also be talking about some really exciting sci-fi level work that's happening right now. You'll read articles about how 3D printing is revolutionizing surgery, how big data is changing the landscape of patient care, or how some of the biggest breakthroughs in the world are actually, surprisingly low tech. And we will be looking back at some of the medical predictions we've made in the past.
I often say this is a remarkable time to be in medical research. When I look at how much has changed in the few decades from when I was in undergraduate medicine to now — and extrapolate out to where we might be in another few years — it really is inspiring. The impressive high tech tools we have at our disposal and the way collaboration across disciplines has become a way of life for us have meant an explosion of new knowledge in virtually every area of Medicine.
Some days, it feels like the biggest challenge of all is just keeping up. Staying current and informed in a rapidly changing world has become a significant part of all our jobs. That's one reason we take the time to publish Medicine Magazine. It's one way we can help our faculty, alumni and supporters stay up to date on the latest in research at the Faculty of Medicine. It's a way for us to stay connected, and to share not only our successes, but our challenges as well.
I hope you'll take the time to read our new issue in the next few days. I think I can safely predict that you'll enjoy it — even if it isn't delivered to you by your own personal robot.
Trevor Young
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Vice-Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions
