What are Mmanmade Diseases?

Introduction

"Man-made diseases" (or anthropogenic diseases) are illnesses caused or worsened by human activity, environmental alteration, or medical intervention rather than occurring strictly naturally[1]. This broad classification includes everything from lifestyle-related conditions and pollution-induced ailments to lab-engineered pathogens and medical errors.

They are typically categorized into four main areas[1,2]:

1. Lifestyle and Chronic Conditions

Often referred to as "Western diseases," these are man-made through shifts in human behavior, diet, and daily activity.

• Examples: Type 2 diabetes, obesity, coronary heart disease, and hypertension.

• Cause: High consumption of processed sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, high sodium, and increasingly sedentary lifestyles.

2. Environmental & Pollution-Related Illnesses

These conditions arise when human industrial, agricultural, or urban activities introduce toxic substances, radiation, or unnatural living conditions into our surroundings.

• Examples: Certain cancers, asthma, respiratory illnesses, and radiation sickness.

• Cause: Smog, toxic air pollutants (like particulate matter or chemical emissions), farm insecticides, heavy metals, and exposure to concentrated or man-made radiation (such as X-rays).

3. Iatrogenic and Treatment-Induced Diseases

These are unintentional diseases or complications caused directly by medical intervention, misdiagnosis, or hospital-acquired issues.

• Examples: Hospital-acquired infections (including antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" like MRSA), adverse drug reactions, and surgical complications.

• Cause: The widespread overuse of antibiotics, exposure to complex (and sometimes flawed) medical environments, or human error in clinical settings.

4. Engineered Pathogens & Biological Warfare

This is the most direct interpretation: pathogens, viruses, or bacteria that are genetically modified, enhanced, or weaponized in a laboratory.

• Examples: Modified strains of influenza, ricin, or botulinum toxin used for biological warfare.

• Cause: Deliberate engineering of pathogens (sometimes termed "gain of function") to increase lethality or transmissibility, or accidental releases from high-security research facilities.

Conclusion

As human decisions play a heavy role in their spread and development, reducing the prevalence of these diseases often requires public health interventions, strict environmental regulations, and global biosecurity collaboration.

References

1. Joint International Academies of Research and Education(JIARE). The Issues of Manmade Diseases in Society. London: JIARE Publications, 2024.

2. United Medical Education College(UMEC). Dealing with Manmade Diseases in the Community. London: UMEC Publications, 2025.

This article was last reviewed on 12 January 2026.