The document discusses several emerging medical technologies including stem cell research, organ cloning, bionic prosthetics, and their potential benefits but also addresses ethical concerns about extending the human lifespan and the impact on overpopulation and resource demand. While advances could help treat diseases and replace failing body parts, allowing indefinite lifespan extension could strain society and the environment. The text explores both promises and perils of developing technologies that blur the line between human and machine.

2.  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

3.  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

4.  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

5.  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

6. 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.

7. 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?

8. 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?

9.  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

10. 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.

11. 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

12.  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

13.  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

14.  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

15. 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.

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Human Genome Project Information. (2009). Cloning Fact Sheet.
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http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/cloni
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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/