MRI Overtaking X-Rays
The British Medical Journal 12 June cover story1 says that recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging may soon make MRI supersede X-ray as the preferred technology for whole body imaging. MRI avoids the damage caused by X-rays and provides more contrast and detail, especially in the detection of cancer. MRI is also replacing traditional autopsy techniques. See the summary on EurekAlert.
1Eustace and Nelson, “Whole body magnetic resonance imaging,” British Medical Journal 2004;328:1387-1388 (12 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7453.1387.
The article mentions Raymond Damadian and references his seminal 1971 paper. Damadian was slighted by the Nobel committee last year (see 10/10/2003 headline) but won the Ben Franklin Medal and Bower Award this year to add to his lifetime honors for inventing this life-saving technology. Answers in Genesis found a quote by evolutionist Michael Ruse, in which he speculates that the main reason the Nobel committee bypassed Damadian was because of his creationism. That is scandalous. Though an ardent anti-creationist, Ruse sympathized with the outrage over the unjust decision, stating, “I cringe at the thought that Raymond Damadian was refused his just honor because of his religious beliefs.”