photo credit: Dashu Pagla
Imagine constructing a human being synthesized completely through science—a seemingly supernatural fabrication of life. You may think Frankenstein. You may visualize Iron Man. But it’s called bionics.
The field of bionics doesn’t necessarily create entire human beings, but rather constructs body parts for better human functionality. People have been losing body parts and use of body parts since the beginning of time. Non-functioning limbs have been replaced with plastic, wood and even steel.
photo credit: Walraven
Enter Eileen Brown from London, who has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis since her late 20s. It took a while for doctors to figure out her condition – first diagnosing her with growing pains and depression. Over the past 20 years, she has undergone countless surgeries to replace her joints with metal.
In the 80s, she had the knuckles on her left hand replaced with plastic joints. Then in the 90s, her wrists had fused together and she was required to have her knee replaced with metal – this is after alternative treatments had failed. Shortly after, she had to have her left shoulder replaced with a metal joint. Right before the new millennium, she began having pain in her right shoulder – another metal joint needed.
After falling from a ladder in 2003, she was required to have the bones and metal replaced in her left shoulder, due to fractures and an infection that began to spread. Her last operation was on her hips and is looking forward to her 50th birthday and a surgery for her neck and the bottom of her spine.
Imagine how difficult it is explaining why the metal detectors are going off.
Regardless of how bizarre it may appear, cases like Brown are more common than one may think. It’s not rare to see people with one or two bionic legs; even some athletes continue to run track and play sports on their prosthetic limbs. Some industries have argued about the use of “bionic athletes” because of their possible super-human abilities to run faster and jump higher. They believe that bionic athletes should participate in separate events.
Thought Robocop Was Cool?
Law enforcement agencies are upgrading their bulletproof vests with nanotube technology. Although bulletproof vests are great for stopping bullets, it doesn’t protect its human hosts from blunt force trauma, which can cause bruising and organ damage. This technology is currently being studied in Sydney by the Centre for Advanced Materials Technology.
How About Iron Man?
In 2005, there was a release of a ROBOT suit that gives its wearer super strength – don’t get carried away, this suit is far from bulletproof and it doesn’t fly. What it can do is help the elderly or those with disabilities to move about and lift heavy objects. This suit, called HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb), has been under preparation a decade before its release; Yoshiyuki Sankai created it. It is attached to your legs and hips and operates by a battery pack on the belt. HAL 3 helps you to walk by detecting electrical currents sent to you brain by your nerves attempting to move. The HAL is also available for the arms.
The Ever-watching Eye
You’ve heard of people getting eye surgery and glass eyes, but have you heard of bionic eyes that help you to see? It uses a camera – yes, a camera – and electrodes to help its host to identify simple objects. The surgery is known in London; the first operation was done at Moorfields Eye Hospital, where two men in their 50s had their retinas artificially fitted. You may find these available on the market within the next three years. It costs about £15,000; or $30,000 USD.