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Ruth Sanger Oration ‘Life, Death and Oxygen: A Story of Science, Dogma, and Serendipity’
Author(s) -
Isbister James
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
transfusion medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1365-3148
pISSN - 0958-7578
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3148.2005.00554ah.x
Subject(s) - serendipity , element (criminal law) , genius , oxygen , oxygen delivery , environmental ethics , astrobiology , chemistry , medicine , biology , law , literature , philosophy , political science , art , epistemology , organic chemistry
As a cosmic element Oxygen is the third most abundant element in the universe. Its presence in the atmosphere and solubility in water makes life on Earth possible. As a human element Oxygen makes up approximately 60% of our body weight and access to too little or too much is fatal. Medically, Oxygen is an essential therapeutic element and its technical delivery has led to the development of blood transfusion, ventilators and intensive care units. The discovery and evolution of our understanding of Oxygen as ‘The Molecule that made the World’ is a story of genius, serendipity and politics. To the haematologist and transfusionist Oxygen’s relationship to the red cell and the haemoglobin molecule is a constant source of amazement and fascination. The red cell, the only cell in the body that is not dependent on Oxygen for energy production, has, in conjunction with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, the awesome responsibility of delivery adequate amounts of Oxygen to every cell in the body 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Haemoglobin, probably the most studied molecular in biology, has been pivotal in the broader understanding of molecular structure and function and continues to reveal it’s secrets. Oxygen, as an economic element is essential to industry and as an environmental element is closely linked to conservation of planet Earth. Many sports have a close and frequently dubious interest in enhancing delivery of oxygen to the muscles. On the basis of doubtful people who feel the need are increasingly being enticed to ‘Flood their bodies with Oxygen as therapy against our polluted World’. It is the presenter’s aim that this lecture will illustrate the paramount role of Oxygen to our existence and it’s central importance in the history of medicine, and blood transfusion in particular.