The Rise of Biomedicine and its Relevance to Health in British Society

This essay examines the rise of biomedicine and its significant impact on health and illness within contemporary British society. It delves into the core concepts of biomedicine, defining it as the application of biological and physiological principles in medical practice, and explores its evolution with technological advancements. The essay employs frameworks such as conflict theory, Parsonian functionalist theory, and germ theory to analyze biomedicine's influence. Conflict theory highlights the inequalities in healthcare access, while functionalist theory focuses on the interdependence of various societal components in ensuring health services. The germ theory is discussed in the context of understanding the causes of diseases and developing effective treatments. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of biomedicine in treating diseases through evidence-based practices and the continuous need for advancements in medical science to address health challenges in British society. The paper references key texts to support its arguments.

Discuss the rise of bio-medicine and its
relevance to health and illness in
contemporary British society

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................1
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................3
References........................................................................................................................................4

Introduction
Health refers to state of complete mental, social and mental well-being but not just the
absence of any kind of infirmity or disease. As per WHO, it is a resource for each day life but not
just the objective to live. It is an affirmative concept which emphasise on resources along with
their physical capacities (Bolton and Gillett, 2019). Health and illness have relevant influence on
behaviour, attitude and thoughts of people. The medicine that is based on applications of
principles associated with natural sciences generally biochemistry and biology is referred to as
biomedicine. Basically, it is a branch of medical science that makes use of biological as well as
physiological principles associated with clinical practices. With advancement in technology
various improvisations have been made in the ways of treating people along with medications
that are being given to patients. This essay will provide an insight into different aspects
associated with bio-medicines through usage of frameworks like conflict theory, Parsonian
functionalist and germ theory.
Main Body
Biomedicines refers to a system where healthcare professionals (like doctors, therapists,
pharmacists and nurses) treat symptoms as well as diseases by making use of radiations, drugs or
even surgery. This is also referred to as allopathic, conventional, orthodox, western and
conventional medicine. This can be associated with various other aspects related with health and
biological fields (Chang and Lim, 2019). In Western World it has been dominant system of
medicine. With reference to this, different theories have been specified in this section. Conflict
theory is devised by Karl Marx, that illustrates that society is within state for perpetual conflicts
as there are high competitions for restricted resources. This theory clearly illustrates that social
order is being maintained by domination and power. To understand the concept of this theory an
instance can be taken at present scenario COVID-19 has adverse impact across the world. As
soon as it was released then the dominating society rushed towards having mask n99 to prevent
them and they also overstocked them though it was not needed.
As per conflict theory, the one with wealth as well as power possess that holds on that by
any of the probable means basically, it involves suppressing the poor and powerless. In terms of
biomedicines the poor may not have adequate resources through which they can render services
in an adequate manner (Crabu, Neresini and Di Buccio, 2019). This theory emphasize on
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competition that prevails among distinct groups in society with restricted resources. In context of
biomedical, conflict theory views social along with economic institutions like tools for struggle
among different groups or classes for maintaining inequalities along with dominance of ruling
class. Conflict theorists think that competition is steady and is overwhelming factor within
almost each human relationship along with interaction. Competition prevails as an outcome of
scarcity of resources even in terms of essential commodities (Dickson, Taylor-Brown and
Shuttleworth, 2020). The weaker section of society was over ruled and did not have relevant
services.
Parsonian functionalist is an approach towards sociology that is identical to other
approaches but difference lies in terms that emphasis is laid on interdependence, consensus,
function, evolutionary and equilibrium change. Interdependence and equilibrium illustrate that
they work in aggregation in orderly way without any kind of conflict. Generally, as per this
aspect certain aspects works in collaboration without any conflict. Evolutionary change depicts
that when consensus, equilibrium as well as static analysis is done it is necessary to acknowledge
change. It tends to be evolutionary and orderly instead of dramatic structural breaks (Finnell and
et. al, 2019). When change takes place different parts of British societies or any other section
gets more differentiated and they formulates new needs as well as problems. In context of
function, each function have different needs, thus it becomes necessary for British government to
carry out activities through which people can survive as well as develop. With reference to this,
goods as well as services must be must be furnished and distributed so that people can survive
and there must be some need of administration. This will enable them to reproduce a means
through which population can maintain their social life.
Within structural functional model, individuals are liable for carrying out different tasks in
different roles that are consistent in context of norms and structure of British society. The other
instance associated with functionalism is inequality which creates a relevant impact on
functioning of individuals. In context of structures, functionalist analysis seeks on social systems
across British society. This comprises of social structure such as education, gender, legal and
economic. If biomedical needs are acknowledged then it illustrates that social structure
requirements are acknowledged. This illustrates that structure is functional that aids society to
function (Moore, 2019). In terms of interdependence, British society comprises of distinct parts
along with adequate operations that are crucial for smooth execution of operations across society
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like a whole. This is an essential entity of functional analysis as each aspect is interdependent. A
change in any part creates an impact on other that needs other part to take account of any
changes that have been introduced.
The functionalist approach emphasize on elements of society in which peculiar functions
must be performed (Neresini, Crabu and Di Buccio, 2019). They make an argument that distinct
parts are working smoothly that contributes within operations of society. This can lead to
disturbances that vary from normal state of affairs to outside society. An instance can be taken to
understand this fro economics, when there is shortage for any biomedicine, then there price
increases and induces producers for manufacturing more services so that shortage can be
eliminated so that normal state can be retained. Functional approach tends for making arguments
that there exists consensus within each social system. The behavior of people within British
society is being governed via distinct social rules or norms which are accepted as well as agreed
upon generally. They (rules and norms) are accountable for having equilibrium state within the
society. There are distinct ways that are being utilized by society through which disturbance can
be eliminated like punishments, sanctions, social disapproval and social approval. As per this
within British society functional emphasis will not emphasize on conflicts but regards this as
integral part within social world through which biomedicine requirements can be accomplished
in an adequate manner (Winther and Hillersdal, 2019).
The germ theory peculiar microscopic organisms are major causes that are behind
peculiar disease. It is also referred to as pathogenic theory of medicine that led to development of
antibiotics as well as hygienic practices which are regarded as cornerstone for clinical
microbiology and modern medicine. Various have been made by different people in context of
germ theory so that probable impact can be analyzed that are being made by distinct germs.
Microorganism or microbes are minute living things that cannot be seen via naked eyes and germ
denotes rapidly growing cells. Koch has found that peculiar germ may cause any particular
disease and to identify this aspect an experiment was done by them with anthrax. By using
microscope, it was found that within blood of cow’s anthrax have been noticed who have died.
The rod-shaped bacteria was seen as well as suspected that it was reason for anthrax. Then mice
were infected with anthrax stricken blood of cow and this was observed that mice also got
anthrax (Bolton and Gillett, 2019). This helped them to list major four criteria’s for identification
of peculiar germ that is reason behind any specific disease. They are referred to as Koch’s
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Postulates and are being utilized. In terms of biomedicines, they are developed by taking into
consideration different aspects or symptoms and causes that are major root behind peculiar
disease. But it is necessary to acknowledge the reasons as without this biomedicines developed
may not respond in an appropriate manner. The fact is that with enhancement within modern
science, this will be impossible to prove that which germ is liable for disease if laboratory tests
are not carried out (Chang and Lim, 2019). Similar, is the case with Covid-19, the biomedicine is
not developed and there is a need for it as entire world is suffering because of it but without
carrying out tests, medications cannot be given to individuals as it can have worse impact. In
addition to this, it also depends on society up to some extent like ways in which they take up
guidelines given by health professionals and governing parties. If they are being followed
adequately then spread of disease can be controlled in British society until any vaccine is found.
Conclusion
From above it can be concluded that, biomedicine is a broad concept which illustrates the
treatment of disease by making use of certain radiations, drugs or surgery. For this, it is
necessary that symptoms are identified as it will aid within development of medicine through
which disease can be cured and accordingly medicines can be developed. Here, emphasis is laid
on standardized and evidence based treatments which have been validated via biological research
along with treatment that is administered formally via trained licensed practitioners. With
advancement in technologies various improvements have been made in terms of biomedicines
that aids within identification of peculiar symptoms and cure for the same. In context of
interdependence and equilibrium, functionalism endeavor to explicate relationship among
distinct parts of the system that prevails in British society. This is just an instance to illustrate
that people deprived of the essential biomedical services which may save their lives.
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References
Books and Journals
Bolton, D. and Gillett, G., 2019. The Biopsychosocial Model of Health and Disease: New
Philosophical and Scientific Developments. Springer.
Chang, L. and Lim, J.C.J., 2019. Traditional Chinese Medicine Physicians’ Insights into
Interprofessional Tensions between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Biomedicine: A
Critical Perspective. Health communication, 34(2), pp.238-247.
Crabu, S., Neresini, F. and Di Buccio, E., 2019. Tracking biomedicalization in the media: Public
discourses on health and medicine in the UK and Italy, 1984–2017.
Dickson, M., Taylor-Brown, E. and Shuttleworth, S., 2020. Progress and pathology: Medicine
and culture in the nineteenth century.
Finnell, J.S. and et. al, 2019. A Hierarchy of Healing: Origins of the Therapeutic Order and
Implications for Research. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal, 18(3).
Moore, R.R.G., 2019. Decolonising Knowledge: Biomedical Beliefs and Indigenous Medical
Practice. In George A., Babu, SS, Ajithkumar MP, Thomas, S.(eds.). Holistic Healthcare
Volume II: Possibilities and Challenges (pp. 223-238). Apple Academic Press.
Neresini, F., Crabu, S. and Di Buccio, E., 2019. Tracking biomedicalization in the media: Public
discourses on health and medicine in the UK and Italy, 1984–2017. Social Science &
Medicine, 243, p.112621.
Winther, J. and Hillersdal, L., 2019. Balancing methodological purity and social relevance:
monitoring participant compliance in a behavioural RCT. BioSocieties, pp.1-25.
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