Week 13 - Bionics and Our Biophysical Future

Would I support the development of a bionic person?

I support the development of bionic technology. I think it is amazing how our technology can interface with our biology. So many people could regain use of lost functions, such as the use of limbs and vision. Being a child of the 70's, I grew up with the TV show "The Six Million Dollar Man" (Lee Majors was HOT!) It was pretty science fiction then. It is exciting to see the technology evolve. Not is we are talking about something more along the line of "borgs" from Star Trek, that is something entirely different. But back to bionics... I think the ethical questions about how good, strong, efficient we make a bionic part must be considered. The Six Million Dollar Man was like a super man, he could run faster, hear more clearly and see sharper than any normal human being. I think if we are going to use bionics they should be in the realm of normal, and not be above normal just because we can.

How would I rate "the control of artificial limbs by thought alone"?

I think this technology is very promising. We have learned so much about how the brain works from mapping the functions of the body on the brain to being able to follow specific neural pathways that facilitate specific functions. But the brain and its functions are so complex it may be awhile before it can be developed in such a way that it has real value. It reminds me of the evolution of the human genome project. There is so much information to map and classify. But we are a determined and persistent species. I am sure we will see the day that controlling artificial limbs by thought alone will be normal. That is, of course assuming that there is some mode of communication between the brain and the artificial limb and we are not just talking about telekinesis.