Theory of Biogenesis

1. The theory of biogenesis led the way for the germ theory of disease by providing evidence that living cells need other living cells to develop. Louis Pastuer proved this concept with a series of experiments in which he proved that microorganisms are present in the air. These discoveries also led the way for aseptic techniques used in health care. One example of aseptic technique was the realization by Joseph Lister, a surgeon, that germs can be transferred from patient to patient on the hands of healthcare workers. He began using a bactericide solution with phenol to treat surgical wounds. This realization greatly reduced deaths due to surgical infection.

Pasteur went on to discover that microorganisms can cause changes to occur in other organisms while trying to create a method to prevent spoilage in beer and wine. From those experiments the realization came about that if microorganisms can cause spoilage in food and beverages then it is possible they can get into other living organisms and cause disease to occur. Scientific proof of bacteria being directly linked to disease came about when Robert Koch, a German physician, used the blood of infected cattle to culture the offending bacteria. He then injected the bacteria he cultured into healthy animals and observed the same disease occurred.

I can apply knowledge of these theories to aid in educating patients of the importance of hand washing and how microorganisms interact with us and how they could potentially cause changes in our bodies that make us sick.