Artificial organs encompass anything we add to ourselves to complete the job of something that our body could normally do. Anything from artificial limbs to a new nose, to replace one lost in an accident. Many people rely on artificial limbs to help with self-care, mobility and independence. Cochlear implants make socializing for hearing impaired people much easier. Many artificial organs are used for cosmetic reasons after an accident or surgery. Even a penile implant with a pump exists for those who are completely impotent. With arms and hands that we can control with our minds, and hearts to pump our blood while we wait for a new heart, are we advancing too quickly without looking back?
As a superior quality of life is achieved we have no where to go but push our limits of existence. Literally we crave to exist indefinitely and are now using a number of artificial organs to increase our lifespan. With most of our organs already having actual artificial duplicates being heavily researched, it is only a matter of time before the rest of our organs become functionally replaceable. When will we cross the line? How many years will we add on to our life? If medical technology increases enough to create artificial internal organs and replace them without injuring the patient, will there be a limit to the number of modifications you can receive. I believe as we chase immortality we may be blind to the problems we can create for ourselves. Because of this there needs to be research and regulation of how medical technology can drastically alter lifespan. Scientists have long discredited colleagues who chased the key to immortality, but where does increasing quality of life become a vie for immortality. I believe accepting the ephemeral nature of life is common if not necessary for scientists who conduct research surrounding or involving the nature of human life. What we create is not the advantage we have over other species, it is our continuous adaptability.
“Loves obsession,
what keeps man alive.
Not some strange possession,
I stay safe inside.”
-David Byrne
It's funny, when I first read this I thought about the movie "The Stedford Wives" with Nicole Kidman. This is extremely interesting to me because it is truly something that I have never thought about before! I've known about prostetics and heart pumps, but to even consider replacing a human brain with a robotic one sounds unimaginable. The penile one is definetly interesting! I've heard about about a man who was involved in an accident and had his penis removed. Doctors then replaced it with one of his index fingers! I used to giggle thinking about how he would push buttons in an elevator. Nevertheless, Medical technology has come very far, and the advances that have been made constantly blow my mind! Who knows what the next ten years will hold...
ReplyDeleteThis post really grabbed my eye and made me think. Man has come a long way from thinking that medical research was a form of witch craft or even an abomination against God to what we know and can do today. It is nothing short of amazing. From being able to bring people back from the brink of death or taking a limp body that looks almost nothing like a human being and making them into a functioning member of society again is truly remarkable. I believe mankind will always seek out eternal life and try to grasp that knowledge and gratification that comes with knowing he can decide when he dies or if he dies. With all of that being said medical advancement is a great thing but we must at the same time try to find a balance with technology and nature. As we advance the decision may one day come to decide to give up the things that make us human. That person would have to ask himself if living forever would make life seem less meaningful because he would know that tomorrow will be another day compared to the man who doesn’t know his fate and lives his life a day at a time.
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