William Harvey (1578-1657) was an English physician who is credited with being the first to correctly describe in detail the systematic circulation and properties of blood being pumped around the body by the heart. Harvey’s discoveries led to further research such as research into the study of embryology which had an impact on society that eventually led to the discovery of IVF (in-vitro fertilisation). Obviously this had a huge impact on society because it meant a huge development in the world of Science and it meant that couples who were biologically unable to have children were able to with this treatment.
However, the discovery of embryology and IVF also had negative impacts on society because not all religions and walks of life support it and prefer natural methods.Harvey was the first to theorise that mammals have eggs and therefore the first to theorise that mammalian eggs are fertilised by sperm, although it was a further two centuries before the mammalian egg was actually observed. However, without Harvey’s initial theory it may have been many years later that the mammalian egg was ever observed, and therefore human biology would not be nearly as advanced as it is today. This theory impacted society in many positive ways if we look at the discoveries that it led to and the advances in science that it influenced.
For example, if Harvey had not suggested this theory, then the discovery of the entire mammalian reproduction system may have been delayed by many years or even centuries, leading to an overall impact on how the world of biology and medicine developed.Harvey’s work on circulation led him to be one of the most highly respected doctors of his time, and he was personal doctor to King James I and many other members of the Royal Family. However, when King James I died and Harvey could not cure him of his chronic illness, he was held personally responsible for a plot to kill the king and was only freed by the next king to whom he was also personal physician. His research didn’t actually impact society as much at the time as it did in the future years, as people were very reluctant to accept his new ideas and methods, and blood letting was still seen to be the most popular practice.
However, Harvey did have a positive impact on society in the future as he helped with the overall advance of medicine and biology, and therefore society has him to thank for many of the modern day methods of treatment, particularly those concerning circulation. In his time, Harvey’s experiments often impacted society in negative ways as he was responsible for the deaths of many animals during some of his research which often led to no conclusion until a much later date. Obviously the society at the time did not know the overall impact Harvey’s work would eventually have on them, so at the time his ideas seemed quite irrational.Harvey’s discovery of the double circulatory system definitely had a positive impact on surgical procedures carried out today, as without knowledge of his discoveries, we would not be able to carry out what today are seen as simple yet life saving procedures, such as blood transfusions and pacemaker fittings.
Furthermore, we would not have such an advanced knowledge of medicine in general which has led to our increased use of technology, and without this technology there would be a negative impact on society, especially as it would cause many unnecessary deaths.Overall, it is clear that William Harvey’s work was not appreciated nearly as much in his lifetime than it is now, as there were so many different theories being put forward at the time that not many people took him seriously. However, although his discoveries and experiments may previously have affected society in negative ways, as time and technology advanced it is clear that Harvey’s discoveries have a huge basis on modern surgery of today, and therefore society has been and is still impacted in a positive way.
