• What is biomedicine?

The application of biomedicine has helped create new types of equipment used for diagnosis, treatment, and patient monitoring. Examples of advances made through biomedical engineering include cardiac pacemakers, heart–lung machines, lasers used in surgery, and ultrasonography. The key disciplines on which biomedicine was formed are: Genetics- The study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity Molecular biology- The study of molecules and molecular processes at a cellular level Biochemistry- The study of the chemical processes occurring within living organisms Microbiology- The study of microorganisms, including bacteriology, virology, and immunology

• Name examples of African healing cultures cited in the podcast

Many Africans believe that illnesses can also be spiritual not just physical. Healing for Africans can mean body massages, music, dance and drumming for healing. These practices put Africa in a weird place in the world because outsiders see Africa as a continent in need of biomedicine. They see Africa as a country with diseases.

• What is health sovereignty and why is it important?

Health sovereignty is the ability to choose medicines that are socioculturally and ecologically appropriate; thereby, providing practical, reliable and contextually relevant health care options.

-Nancy Tallas