Genetically engineered mosquitoes are being released to fight malaria, but AI and technology are still a long way from conquering preventable death

It is unfathomable and painful to admit, but real; so many of the world’s deaths are potentially preventable. Malaria, a disease that is both to prevent and cureIn 2022 alone, 608,000 men, women and children were killed. People’s health continues to be affected by infections for which we have vaccinations, types of cancer whose prognosis would be completely changed if caught early through affordable screening, or heart diseases made worse by a lack of health literacy and real knowledge. access to better lifestyle choices.

The OECD defines preventable deaths as deaths that can be prevented entirely by public health measures or can be effectively treated with timely interventions – both of which can reverse this disturbing trend.

AI can help. It has already begun to change medicine as we know it. Only today (Sunday) genetically engineered mosquitoes, with modified genes, were released in Africa in a pilot program to combat rising malaria cases. We have already begun to practice other forms of medicine, with disease prediction models, automated image analysis of CT and MRI scans, and molecular engineering that advance drug discovery. Multi-omics Research (holistically integrating genetic and non-genetic factors, or all the different human “omics” levels, such as genomics, epigenomics, proteomics and metabolomics) will soon redefine personalized treatment. These statements are all correct. I and my fellow researchers write a lot about it. However, while innovative and true, these are not the whole truth, not by a long shot.

Half of all deaths worldwide in children under five years of age are due to malnutrition. As many as 443,832 children of the same age die from this diarrhea-related diseases per year. That’s not just a statistic. Four hundred and forty-three thousand, eight hundred and thirty-two children – every one counts. And these are just the deaths recorded by the World Health Organization.

Every day in my practice I wash my hands countless times; between each patient, before and after each interaction. Water and soap seep down the drain into a complex system of pipes and drains, while at the same time on our planet 1.5 billion people do not have access to the most basic sanitation, allowing the spread of diseases.

Access to health care and life-saving medicines remains daunting limited in low- and middle-income countries, and this also applies to generic medicines less than 60% of the population in these countries has access. People in poorer regions who cannot afford basic medicines are also the most vulnerable to the growing crisis antimicrobial resistance. At the same time, billions of dollars worth of medicines are available in developed countries thrown awayunused, expired And shitfaced.

Global venture capital investments in AI companies exceeded $$25 billion in the first quarter of 2024, in all areas. This is remarkable, rising, and undoubtedly paves the way for a new world, of accessible communication and generative creativity, via energy sources and efficient quantum computing power. But our current reality is still here, and people are suffering.

If we invested the same amount of time, energy, and resources into delivering today’s already advanced medical practices to those in need, while continuing to develop generative, cutting-edge insights, our collective health would improve exponentially. An early detection algorithm or genomic treatment plan can and should be developed and implemented everywhere; but also running water and essential medicines.

It is often easier for us in developed regions to focus on technological progress and ingenuity than to talk about affordable care or basic sanitation. These should not be in contrast. Technological progress and its profitability boost economies and create jobs, but it is necessary to adopt a broader perspective. We are one people on one earth. It wasn’t long ago that COVID proved our interconnectedness and vulnerability, and how the entire world, richer and poorer regions alike, can be affected by a health crisis that starts in a localized region. Governments must create lucrative incentives and regulators must diligently enforce global health and business impact measures. Sustainability is a good starting point. We cannot continue to develop and underdevelop in such a rapid divide. We need to answer difficult questions, such as what constitutes medical progress, and whether longevity in one region should be accompanied by equalization of care in other regions or the preservation of the environment for future generations.

As we explore progress, promote longevity, and provide cutting-edge care, let us continually remember our daily responsibility for the most basic struggle for survival, and do our best to balance the two.