The Age of Discovery

The substance and scope of current medical research in Israel cover an immense spectrum: from a cardiac device to open arteries, laser techniques to improve in-vitro fertilization, gene manipulation designed to equip cells with the ability to withstand chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant techniques that may eliminate the need for chemotherapy entirely and prenatal diagnoses for rare hereditary diseases to pre-implantation diagnosis for common hereditary diseases. Men, women and children the world over benefit from these life-saving innovative procedures developed in Israel's scientific community.

Close to the Heart

In the developed West, heart disease remains the prime cause of pre-mature death. The advent some years ago of balloon angioplasty and bypass grafts introduced a considerable measure of relief, adding extra years of life to countless patients across the globe. But even these patients remained at risk for acute complications.

An all-Israeli collaborative initiative combining clinical and engineering expertise has produced one of the most important cardiological devices of recent years. The "NIR" stent is a device that can reduce the need for coronary bypass surgery entirely. "Bypassing the bypass," a stent is a tiny metal net, shaped like a tube which is surgically implanted to prevent coronary artery collapse after angioplasty.

The all-Israeli NIR stent is an innovative new generation version which, according to Dr. Yaron Alamagor of the Cardiac Catherterization Laboratory of Sha'are Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, is a "best-of-both-worlds solution, providing rigidity and radial support while at the same time offering maximum flexibility." Although the acronym NIR stands for "new intra-vascular rigid flex," the name was also selected in memory of Nir Poraz, an IDF officer who gave his life in a failed operation to rescue kidnapped soldier Nachson Waxman in 1994.

Of Borders and Boundaries

It is somewhat of a paradox that, in a country still grappling with such fundamental issues as setting geographic borders, Israeli scientific research knows no boundaries or barriers as it trailblazes through virgin terrain benefiting mankind. The answers to questions confronting Israel's scientific community will service people who subscribe to one significant address - Planet Earth.

"Israel is known for being one of the world's leaders in medical research," remarked Eli E. Hertz, Chairman of the American Israeli Cooperative Enterprise (AICE). "Americans are less familiar with the extraordinary quality of care Israel provides its citizens. We believe the United States can learn from Israel how to provide better care for pregnant mothers, disabled veterans and the elderly."

Israel - A Role Model

Top caliber medical care, not suprisingly is very attractive to immigrants from the West, even in these trying times. Doctors immigrating or visiting from the West frequently comment on the high standard of medicine enjoyed by all Israel's citizens, without exception.

The US has already incorporated two of the features of the Israeli National Health Law – universal health insurance and a uniform benefits package – into the President's Health Security Plan. Other features of Israel's unique health system that could be emulated elsewhere are its home personal-care services for senior citizens with functional problems, Patient's Rights Law Legislation that guarantees all Israelis emergency care and "Beit Halochem," an integrated rehabilitation service for Israeli war veterans and their families.

From major breakthroughs in bio-technology to a comprehensive health care system, Israel's model is emulated in the developing, as well as the developed world.

David E. Kaplan is a writer and editor living in Kfar Saba.

Israeli scientists developed the first fully computerized, no-radiation, diagnostic instrumentation for breast cancer. On a per capita basis, Israel has the largest number of biotech start-ups. The Israeli-developed Ex-Press shunt provides relief for glaucoma sufferers the world over. An Israeli company developed a computerized system for ensuring proper administration of medications, removing human error from medical treatment. Israel's Given Imaging developed the first ingestible video camera, so small it fits inside a pill. Used to view the small intestine from the inside, the camera helps doctors diagnose cancer and digestive disorders. Researchers in Israel developed a new device that directly helps the heart pump blood, an innovation with the potential to save lives among those with congestive heart failure. The device is synchronized with the heart's mechanical operations through a sophisticated system of sensors. A new acne treatment developed in Israel, the ClearLight device, produces a high-intensity, ultraviolet-light-free, narrow-band blue light that causes acne bacteria to self-destruct – all without damaging surrounding skin or tissue. A Hebrew University professor is responsible for the development of the liposomal delivery system which is the basis of Doxil, an improved anti-cancer drug. Novartis' anti--Alzheimer's drug Exelon was discovered by the Israeli researcher Professor Martha Roisen of the Hebrew University. A Preimplantation Genetics Diagnosis program was established at Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek Medical Center. In families with genetic diseases, mutations can be identified in single cells of 1-3 day embryos, allowing implantation of only healthy embryos.

 Next