If you could have a bionic body part, would you?

[TheFifthElement]

Hopefully I'm not showing my age too much by assuming that most people here would have an idea who the Six Million Dollar Man was, or if not the Six Million Dollar Man perhaps, at least, the Borg?

So the idea is this: imagine you could have bionic implants fitted which would enhance or amend your natural abilities. So, for example, you could have your legs replaced with bionic legs which would enable you to run faster; or perhaps you might have your eyes replaced with bionic eyes which would enable you to see farther and in greater detail, or perhaps enable you to see the full electromagnetic spectrum; or perhaps you could have your lungs replaced with bionic lungs which would enable you to breathe underwater. And these bionic implants would look and feel like the 'natural' article, so your eyes would still look like normal eyes, and your legs like normal legs and so on.

Would you? And if you would, what would you have bionically enhanced? (Men, answer this question carefully. Remember, this is a family friendly forum )

And if you wouldn't, why not?

[papayahed]

Would I have to become part of the collective?

[Lulim]

I could do with a new set of eyes, really. And I'd love to be able to read all my books without having to resort to the magnifying glass, even those in small print.

An (ex-)colleague who was extremely short-sighted did it, had his cornea treated with laser and they implanted some sort of artificial lenses behind his natural lenses, and he doesn't even need ordinary glasses anymore.

[Niamh]

(dont forget bionic woman!)
Dont think i would. When i think of bionics now all i can think of is the cybermen/women in Doctor Who. dont fancy that!

[Virgil]

Would you? And if you would, what would you have bionically enhanced? (Men, answer this question carefully. Remember, this is a family friendly forum )

Now was it necessary to add that? Yes! Because it came to mind.

I guess it would have to be heart because it would improve all your muscle performance in some fashion and you would not have to ever worry about cholesterol.

[Hurricane]

Bionic eyes would be nice. I already am (hopefully) getting laser eyes through PRK next year though, so in that case I'll take bionic lungs. Swimming underwater without that lovely drowning feeling would be nice.

[Lokasenna]

Eyes!

It would be lovely to wake up and see the sunrise in the morning without having to scrabble for my specs on the bedside table...

[Scheherazade]

Brain.

[Nax]

Ive been holding out for a cyborg arm for ages now, but those bloody scientists dont reallly seem to be getting anywhere quickly.

I would definately get cyborg parts, its the natural progression of human evolution. We have ceased to evolve and instead our machines evolve in our place. Eventually (just like the transformers) we will have to decide if we should stay organic, or transfer ourselves into our creations.

Were not that far off, nanotechnology has created nanites, which are little robots small as blood cells that can travel around and hunt infections etc. Only problem is they are afraid they will be hacked, or just go haywire and create wat is referred to in the profession as "grey goo". The result of the nanites going berserk, they essentially liquify you from the inside out, and spread and multiply until all living creatures are consumed.

Some cybernetic limbs already do exist using the nerve recepters from previously existing limbs (generally due to amputation) however these are very unrefined and require hours of training just to do simple tasks.

Yes cyborg eyes, and even ears already exist too aswell as cyborg hearts.

Currently the big trend (beside nanotechnology) is combining stem cells and other cultured cells with mechanical framework, so in theory you could have a cyborg liver, with a self cleaning and indestructable casing, filled with cultured liver cells. Or some such thing

Its an incredibly facinating are of science if u ask me.

[TheFifthElement]

Its an incredibly facinating are of science if u ask me.

I agree Nax. The idea of nanites is a bit scary, because apart from the deliberate act of sabbotage there is always the possibility that, despite their smallness, we know so little about sentience that we have no idea if they could gain it by themselves, and aside from that human error could cause a catastrophe.

[MarkBastable]

Eyes!

It would be lovely to wake up and see the sunrise in the morning without having to scrabble for my specs on the bedside table...

Try Lazik. I woke up the next morning and I could see individual tiles on the roof of the house across the street. It was breathtaking.

Moorfields Eye Hospital, Mr Julian Stevens, three grand or so; it takes about fifteen minutes. Sell a kidney if necessary. He might even do trade-in.

Speaking of which, a bionic liver would be handy.

[Lokasenna]

Try Lazik. I woke up the next morning and I could see individual tiles on the roof of the house across the street. It was breathtaking.

Moorfields Eye Hospital, Mr Julian Stevens, three grand or so; it takes about fifteen minutes. Sell a kidney if necessary. He might even do trade-in.

Speaking of which, a bionic liver would be handy.

It's something I'm researching, though I kind of nervous when it comes to eye treatments - I'm a bit paranoid about losing my sight altogether!

Also, I am a penniless student, who is nonetheless rather attached to his kidneys... perhaps when they start paying me, I'll go for it!

[Nightshade]

Id have an extra set of bionic arms a la inspector gadget! That way I can catch the books before they land on my head...!

[Lulim]

Id have an extra set of bionic arms a la inspector gadget! That way I can catch the books before they land on my head...!

erm ... are there normally books flying about at your place?

[Katy North]

I get asthma sometimes so bionic lungs would be excellent...

A bionic heart too so there would no longer be any worry of cholesterol as Virgil said...