Sunday, April 6, 2014

The Path of Medicine and Atheism

One of the risks of entering Medicine, especially for a theistic student, is that one will lose his/her religion. And so far, the subjects have further cemented my rational reasons against the existence of a benevolent and omnipotent deity.

Last year, the subjects of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry have utterly destroyed my views of a benevolent creator by revealing the imperfections inherent in our bodies. From Anatomy, we see vestigial muscles and structures present in the human body that points to a faulty design. From the route of the recurrent laryngeal nerve to the senseless decussations/crossing-overs of nerve tracts. To Physiology wherein the human body is not a superb work of art after all. And finally, Biochemistry with its study of genetics. And not to mention that every disease has a biochemical basis

And for this year's subjects, it has only served to give more rational basis against the existence of a benevolent and omnipotent deity.

Pathology, the study of diseases, while fun has given me more reasons to argue against the existence of a deity. It would surprise the reader that some disease process are due to an exaggerated response of the immune system. In the Philippine setting, it's no other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent for tuberculosis. The bacterium itself does not attack the human body, it's the formation of granulomas that make up the pathogenesis of tuberculosis, in the lungs or elsewhere in the human body. And another bacterium that shares the same pathology would be Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis. However, instead of granuloma formation, syphilis is characterized by gummas.

And we move on to Microbiology-Parasitology, the study of organisms that can harm humans. You see how bacteria cause infection and what are the necessary factors to help establish infection. Another tidbit of information applicable to the Philippine setting would be the reason for dengue hemorrhagic fever. It's not the virus per se but the response of the body to the virus. The immune system releases chemicals that causes platelets to leak out of the circulatory system decreasing the patient's platelet count. Thus, we see another supposed benevolent bodily response that backfires and causes a very dangerous complication.

And then, moving on to the clinical subjects.

Medicine, with its study of the common pathologic conditions found in adults like hypertension, cough, thyroid problems and heart attack, to Neurology and its study of stroke and seizures gives one a chance to apply what has been learned in Pathology and also gives this very important insight: some of the common conditions are actually preventable. It's because of peoples' adoption of unhealthy habits that makes them more prone to develop say hypertension and diabetes.

Surgery and its sub-specialty of Orthopedics gives insight on how fragile the bones are contrary to common belief. And the many factors needed for proper bone healing. Unfortunately, we are not yet at the point in which bones can be regenerated instantaneously. It needs a period and support for proper healing or else the fractures may not re-unite.

Pediatrics and Obstetrics makes one realize how hard raising children is and also pregnancy. Contrary to what is being preached by say, the CBCP, the making and raising of children is not easy. Well, if we're talking about copulation then its very easy and pleasurable. But if we're talking about the process of development in the woman's uterus then it's another thing. And then, raising children is no easy matter. You have to give them immunizations and proper nourishment. Funny, I don't see the CBCP with its millions sponsoring the many women and children they so love.

Finally, Psychiatry gives insight to the human condition via the study of human behaviors. It is very vague, yes, but it gives additional knowledge about how humans defend their egos and also some destructive responses to common stressors like say losing a loved one or being confined in a hospital for a very long time. And if there's any destructive response to be spotted early in a patient it would be suicidal ideation.

At this point, it would be easy to either conclude all medical practitioners will become unbelievers or warn parents against sending their children to a medical school. But that's not really the observable reality in the Philippine setting at least so rest assured, dear reader or parent. This is just me outlining what I've learned and using these facts to bolster my unbelief. If there's one thing I want a potential reader to pick up from this: it's really up to you. Yes, it's a personal choice, not an imposition. Nothing more, nothing less.