The foundations of modern medicine were laid hundreds of years ago. Yet medical science is quick to adopt new developments in science and technology. Discoveries in areas ranging from space exploration to robotics have been applied to medicine. This book examines advances in surgery that use robots and computers, developments in the prevention and treatment of disease, stem cells, genetic screening, and genetic engineering, imaging techniques that let us see inside the body, and challenges for the future, including health care for aging populations. This book goes beyond the science to explore the pros and cons of each new development, and examines the ways in which medical advances have changed our society and the world.