Technology and evolution

Discussion in 'Science and Technology' started by Dr Phibes, May 4, 2006.

Page 2 of 2
  1. MeAgain

    MeAgain Dazed & Confused Lifetime Supporter Super Moderator

    Messages:
    20,884
    Likes Received:
    15,073
    We have been using technology to alter the body (and mind) for many years. Cyborgs walk among us now.
    Technology is never bad or good, it is neutral...but how do we use it?

    I saw an item a couple weeks ago on 3D stero lithography being used to grow organs. It's already being done in a limited way. Stereo lithography is where you take a 3D CAD drawing and use it to fire lasers, or such, into a vat of plastic, oatmeal, etc. As the lasers strike they harden the material on a rack, then the rack moves up, or down, a few thousands and it happens again. 3D objects are constructed this way. I've seen plastic gears and ball bearings in a race made this way.

    So now they take a 3D printer and use an organic ink to be printed onto a screen layer by layer and thus build an organ.
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12679063&dopt=Citation

    You guys must read Neuromancer by William Gibson
    He's the guy that invented cyberpunk.
     
    MeAgain, May 19, 2006
    #21
  3. fat_tony

    fat_tony Member

    Messages:
    812
    Likes Received:
    0
    3D lithography is amazing. Not heard about it being used ot make organs, do you have a citation? Though People do make some amazing models with it.
     
    fat_tony, May 20, 2006
    #22
  5. satirul

    satirul Member

    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    0
    i don't think they could make organs with that.organs are made from tissues,tissues are made from cells and cells are very complex structures formed from various substances,which can't be artificially built and brought to life,as far as we know.

    "organic paint"?! that just won't do.also,some cells got complex links between them (ex. desmozomes);sticking them together with a gel,like they say there won't do.
    i find the article very suspicious.then again,anything is possible.

    they can make organs from live,dividing cells set on a support.
     
    satirul, May 20, 2006
    #23
  7. fat_tony

    fat_tony Member

    Messages:
    812
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yeah thats why I asked for citations. Ive seen very interesting shapes made that way, people, cars, spiders that kind of thing. But I couldnt see how it could be used to create the fine structures in a body, also given that the materials that make up the mode arent great photoresists, I was wondering if it was referring to bionic organs.
     
    fat_tony, May 20, 2006
    #24
  9. MeAgain

    MeAgain Dazed & Confused Lifetime Supporter Super Moderator

    Messages:
    20,884
    Likes Received:
    15,073
    Who knows?
    They claim the "ink" is made up of live cells that are allowed to grow together, the gel is a support structure, not a glue. I don't see that they are making cells or bringing anything to life.

    This is from Wired news and involves the University of Missouri-Columbia.

    http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,69701,00.html

    Here's some more:

    http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20051114/organprinter_tec.html
    http://nanodot.org/article.pl?sid=04/08/19/206202
    http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=1603783&page=1
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...ve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12740943&dopt=Abstract
    http://www.ces.clemson.edu/bio/people/boland.htm
    http://www.desnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635158922,00.html

    Apparently they can only print up to 2 inches deep at the present time as they can't get the nutriments to the center yet.
    One source sez 5 years for simple organs another just sez 50 years for complete organs.
     
    MeAgain, May 21, 2006
    #25
  11. fat_tony

    fat_tony Member

    Messages:
    812
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hmm is seems quite spectulative. They seem to be saying they will soon be able to do uniform layers of tissue, presumeably explaining the emphasis on skin. They seem to be saying theres no reason they could do other organs, which I guessin principle is true but a lung is a little more intricate that than skin. Though skin tomorrow 10 yrs who knos, thats not lithography tho.
     
    fat_tony, May 21, 2006
    #26
  13. ash13y

    ash13y Member

    Messages:
    40
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hey. This forum started out as inserting chips into people didnt it?

    quote from satirul "we have scubadiving equipment,we have submarines.people still die from drowning,even with an oxigen tank or in submarines.gills are much better,and your kids would get them too for sure;and they don't need to be refilled after a couple of hours."

    if we could modify people with electrical technology.. why couldnt we be all biological? like using chemicals and different stuff to make better ears, protective skin, eye site that has a lense that can zoom in and out. It would be passed on through reproduction as well...... what u think?

    (im not talking about genotheropy and genetic engenering im talking about CREATING new organs and using them instead of the ones we have now) for example. lungs that have massive alvioli to absorb more oxigen so anarobic respiration wont have to start which causes fatigue...
     
    ash13y, Jun 16, 2006
    #27
Page 2 of 2

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice