Unit 4: Medicine + Technology + Art

Cosmetic plastic surgery is a prime example of art, medicine and technology. Whether it is the distance between forehead and nose, or the shape of eyes and mouth, cosmetic surgeons and doctors have analyzed perceptions of beauty. They medically alter peoples appearances in order to help them find happiness with their image and their confidence. However, cosmetic plastic surgery has evolved from both reconstructive surgery and social stigma. 

As the lecture mention, with World War I and the destructiveness of modern weapons, the need for reconstructive surgery grew. Coupled with scientific and medical advances, the success of surgeries grew. Not only did surgery heal war wounds, but birth defects like cleft lips, web toes and more. 

Cleft lip is a birth defect that can cause eating and speech problems. Surgery not only fixes a health issue but physical appearance as well.  

Cosmetic surgery grew from the discoveries in reconstructive surgery. Cosmetics surgery is an optional procedure that is performed with the purpose of improving appearances. Society is based on appearances and attractive people are more successful. Barbie is an example of society's perfect women in terms of body attributes and lifestyle. As kids play with these dolls, it is easy to become obsess with Barbie's good looks. Thus, sometimes women pursue cosmetic procedures to obtain Barbie's look. 

Human barbie, Valeria Lukyanova uses a combination of makeup and cosmetic surgery to obtain her looks.

However, Barbie's features are impossible to achieve naturally. Her overly large eyes, long neck, long legs, tiny waist and big breasts are not genetically possible. Our lungs allow us to breathe, our stomach allows us to obtain nutrients, our heart pushes blood through our body. All these organs needs room and can not be compressed into Barbies skinny torso. 

Model Katie Halchishic demonstrates how unrealistic Barbie's body proportion is.

In our reading, Donald Ingber in "The Architecture of Life" describe life as the "ultimate example of complexity at work." Humans are an extraordinary example of life. However, cosmetic surgery aims to change  the cells and tissues that make up humans. Doctors play such an important role in the health of humans. Thus, the Hippocratic Oath is the ideal conduct for physicians. However, with societies changing views, the creation of certain medical procedures, like physician-assisted suicide, abortions, even cosmetic surgery, is controversial. At least for cosmetic surgery, it is way for people to be more comfortable with themselves. 

Sources:

Bhattacharya, S., V. Khanna, and R. Kohli. "Cleft Lip: The Historical Perspective." Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery (2009): 4. Print.

Ingber, Donald E. "The Architecture of Life." Scientific American (1998): 48-57. Print.

McDonell-Parry, Amelia. "Katie Halchishick Depicts Barbie Vs. Reality In O Magazine - The Frisky." The Frisky. 13 Oct. 2011. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://www.thefrisky.com/2011-10-13/katie-halchishick-depicts-barbie-vs-reality-in-o-magazine/>.

Stewart, Will. "'Human Barbie' Is Punched and Strangled by Two Men outside Her Home after 'two-year Hate Campaign by Strangers' ." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 5 Nov. 2014. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2821700/Human-Barbie-punched-strangled-two-men-outside-home-two-year-hate-campaign-strangers.html>.

Tyson, Peter. "The Hippocratic Oath Today." PBS. PBS, 27 Mar. 2001. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/hippocratic-oath-today.html>.