湖の彼岸　－向こう岸の街、水面に映った社会、二重写しの自分－

The speed with which scientific and technological advances in medicine take place is so rapid that hardly a day passes without news of some new discovery or treatment. Announcements of medical advances, however, are often greeted with two very different reactions. Some highlight each advances as yet another benefit conferred upon humanity through modern medicine, but others views each advances as opening up new moral and ethical problems. On the one hand, it is true that advances in medical science and technology have yielded many benefits, especially in the area of health. In particular, these advances have enabled many indivisuals to lead longer and healthier lives. this is supported by statistics that indicate that average life expectancy has risen in most parts of the world. Statistics also indicate that infant mortality rates have fallen in most parts of the world as well. In addition to these quantifiable results, advances in medicine have also improved the quality of life of many indivisuals by treating symptoms of various illnesses. In fact, various patient surveys indicate that many indivisuals with complicated illnesses are able, with the help of medicine, to lead lives similiar to the ones they led prior to their illness.