Technology will save our bodies and minds

TECHNOLOGY WILL SAVE OURBODIES AND MINDS…

BUT WHEN HAVE WE GONE TOO FAR?

James McConachie

Stem cells have the ability to develop into different types of cells, such as muscle, blood, and brain tissue

Potential uses include: alternative to organ transplant, safe drug testing, and finding alternative methods to fight disease such as cancer and diabetes

STEM CELL RESEARCH

First successful permanent artificial heart, implemented in 1982

The natural heart is removed and replaced with the mechanical Jarvik-7 heart

Highest success rate of any mechanical heart or assist device

JARVIK-7 ARTIFICIAL HEART

Creating a genetic twin 1997, “Dolly” the first cloned sheep was born In the future, cloning could be used to

produce organs from single cells, or replace damaged cells from diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s

CLONING

Used to replace lost limbs

Constantly improving to replicate the functions of real limbs

Being developed into “Bionic Prosthesis” which use the amputee’s thought process to function the prosthetic limb

PROSTHETIC LIMBS

Research in the medical field is ongoing, but when does it stop? With advancements such as the Bionic Prosthetic and mechanical organs like the Jarvik-7, maybe the idea about the bionic human isn’t that far off.

WHEN HAVE WE GONE TO FAR?

If we start using cloning to create organs and replace dying cells it will benefit our way of life in the future. Do we keep advancing cloning to the point that we have duplicates of ourselves to ensure there is always a donor who is a perfect match available?

WHEN HAVE WE GONE TOO FAR?

The bionic humans, and using clones have been a futuristic ideal used in Hollywood for decades, but is it possible for these ideas to become more than just a fantasy? If so, how do we know that what happens in the movies won’t happen in real life?

WILL HOLLYWOOD BECOME A REALITY?

The cycle of life starts at birth and ends with death

Some cycles are unfortunately finished earlier than expected

Medical advancements are being made to improve the way of life between birth and death

THE CYCLE OF LIFE

The advancements are beginning to look as though they may make it possible to extend the life cycle. No one wants to see their loved ones pass, but that is part of life. Extending the cycle may seem great, but in reality posses a lot of problems.

EXTENDING THE CYCLE

Some potential problems to extending the life cycle are: Over population More demand on already diminishing

resources Greater need for elderly care services Larger financial strain, forcing people to

work longer

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS

Countries like India and China already have a large population and if people have the ability to live longer, there will be a need for more food and housing to be available

Certain countries already struggle to support the needs of their population

OVER POPULATION

If the population is increasing, its going to demand the use of more natural resources

The resources we have are already diminishing, such as our fossil fuels, and the creation of green house gases will be greatly increased

LIMITED RESOURCES

With people living longer there will be more demand for elderly care facilities, which will allow for more jobs, but since people would be living longer they would be forced to pay for the care longer than before

People also would have to work later in life otherwise their pensions won’t be enough to carry them through

ELDERLY CARE AND FINANCIAL STRAIN

All the advancements in the medical field are beneficial to our well being and way of life, but the question stands as to when have gone to far. It’s an ongoing debate in the medical field and will probably never be answered.

CONCLUSION

EgoTech. (2012). PH: Stem Cell Research Hub in Asia. Retrieved from: http://gotecotech.com/stem-cell/

Human Genome Project Information. (2009). Cloning Fact Sheet. Retrieved from: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/cloning.shtml#how

Jarvik Heart, Inc. (2008). Robert Jarvik on the Jarvik-7. Retrieved from: http://www.jarvikheart.com/basic.asp?id=69

Med India. (2012). Artificial/Prosthetic Limbs. Retrieved from: http://www.medindia.net/patients/PatientInfo/artificial-limbs-latest-research.htm#

Stem cell information. (2012). Stem Cell Basics. Retrieved from: http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/

REFERENCES