The Importance Of Medical Practices

After interpreting the stimulus packet, I analyzed the underlying topics of Life of the Peasants, The Secret Life of Plants, and Self Portrait Between the Borderline of Mexico and the United States, and developed a connection between the long-standing traditions of spirituality burdening the advancements of human evolution. The Secret Life of Plants by Ferris Jabr describes how "kin selection has an evolutionary rationale because it increases the chances that the genes an individual shares with its relatives will be passed to the next generation". This enhances the view of the benefits of cultural significance in medicinal practices because it relates to how long-standing cultures have the ability to pass down home-remedies that can prove to …show more content…
One relevant variable that is predominantly transforming one’s mental health is the relationship between the individual and his or her religious affiliations. Valerie Tarico, a respected psychologist and writer, examines the coexistence of the two and concludes that “religious trauma syndrome (RTS) is a set of symptoms and characteristics that tend to go together and which are related to harmful experiences with religion. They are the result of two things: immersion in a controlling religion and the secondary impact of leaving a religious group”. Certain religious theologies can lead to a negative impact on the individual. Religious trauma syndrome can significantly impair the mental health of an individual which will ultimately negatively affect his/her social relations. Although many experiences with religion turn out to be beneficial to the individual, some result in lasting damage to the original faith and state of mind. Religious beliefs can also influence the range and variety of medical advancements made which in turn can alter the prestige of a community. Spiritual significance in the advancement of medicine can reduce the “acceptability” of various medical practices as they may be seen as an intrusion on the culture. The Nuffield council on bioethics describes the situation as how “aspects of the culture of research in UK higher education institutions can encourage poor research practices and hinder the production of high quality science” (Scientists Concerned That Culture of Research Can Hinder Scientific Endeavor). The relationship between culture and health beliefs is negative because those same beliefs often lead to the idea that modern medicine is not needed for the prosperity of oneself. Similarly, the quality of research and treatments can be impeded by religious beliefs that seek to undercut the commonly practiced