Augmentation

[Phillip Huffman]

Although a prosthetic generally aids an otherwise disabled person to reclaim some portion of their functionality which was formerly lost, many recent developments have been made that 1. integrate the prosthetic device into the body 2. could eventually offer superior functionality to the original member. What about, if I could call it that, 'upgrades'? What do you think and what do you think God thinks about it? I may ask Father about it myself but I'm curious what you believe He would or has said about this kind of thing.

Just to be clear, I'm not bringing the use or application of prosthetic or implanted necessary medical technology into question at all. I'm asking about modification or changes made to otherwise healthy members of the body, which might include replacement.

There is a community which goes by names such as 'grinders' and 'biohackers' that are seeking to give the human body advantageous modifications such as implanted sensors and computers, or, as in one case, visible reception of ultra violet light, aka, night vision.

An example, and this as far as I know is purely in the realm of science fiction, would be, replacing a natural fore-arm with a mechanical device. Let's say that this fictional replacement limb was visibly identical to the biological original but provided it's user with a wide array of useful sensors, tools and other benefits while remaining at least as sensitive of touch as the original member, with the user suffering no detrimental side effects from it's use.
What do you think?
Let's say that the prosthetic device was needed for a temporary application, perhaps military or some other high-risk application.
Would your opinion change at all if the original arm could be stored for re-attachment or a replacement grown via cloning technology?

The technology needed for this kind of possibility isn't that far away, though I doubt it would be applied in quite the manner I'm describing.

Note: I'm not one of the biohackers but I am interested in their progress.
My opinion:
I personally see no need for implanting of devices unless medically necessary but I might not be opposed to adding sensors that expanded my perception to include otherwise inaccessible information, such as night vision. As for the theoretical replacement limb, I don't think I'd have a problem with it but I'm not sure I'd want one unless I needed it. Then again, if it came with built in armament, I'd probably reconsider.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Although a prosthetic generally aids an otherwise disabled person to reclaim some portion of their functionality which was formerly lost, many recent developments have been made that 1. integrate the prosthetic device into the body 2. could eventually offer superior functionality to the original member. What about, if I could call it that, 'upgrades'? What do you think and what do you think God thinks about it? I may ask Father about it myself but I'm curious what you believe He would or has said about this kind of thing.

Just to be clear, I'm not bringing the use or application of prosthetic or implanted necessary medical technology into question at all. I'm asking about modification or changes made to otherwise healthy members of the body, which might include replacement.

There is a community which goes by names such as 'grinders' and 'biohackers' that are seeking to give the human body advantageous modifications such as implanted sensors and computers, or, as in one case, visible reception of ultra violet light, aka, night vision.

An example, and this as far as I know is purely in the realm of science fiction, would be, replacing a natural fore-arm with a mechanical device. Let's say that this fictional replacement limb was visibly identical to the biological original but provided it's user with a wide array of useful sensors, tools and other benefits while remaining at least as sensitive of touch as the original member, with the user suffering no detrimental side effects from it's use.
What do you think?
Let's say that the prosthetic device was needed for a temporary application, perhaps military or some other high-risk application.
Would your opinion change at all if the original arm could be stored for re-attachment or a replacement grown via cloning technology?

The technology needed for this kind of possibility isn't that far away, though I doubt it would be applied in quite the manner I'm describing.

Note: I'm not one of the biohackers but I am interested in their progress.
My opinion:
I personally see no need for implanting of devices unless medically necessary but I might not be opposed to adding sensors that expanded my perception to include otherwise inaccessible information, such as night vision. As for the theoretical replacement limb, I don't think I'd have a problem with it but I'm not sure I'd want one unless I needed it. Then again, if it came with built in armament, I'd probably reconsider.

I think the Gulf War was partly won with night vision goggles, right?

You would probably know more about this than me.

 

[TJM]

As with anything created for the good of humans there will be those who manipulate it or directly use it with malicious intent. There will be many great technology items in medicine in the years to come. If you get an implant you don need, but just want than I think that skews off into being wrong.