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ask a biogeek

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ask a biogeek

Where Is My Uterine Replicator (AKA Artificial Womb)?

Reader Karen asks:
One of my favourite sci-fi conceits in the Vorkosigan works of Lois McMaster Bujold is the uterine replicator. Sticking a fetus in a regulated jar until it's come full term and I can get my new baby boy, girl or hermaphrodite without all the vomiting, constant peeing, strenuous pushing, pooping on the operating table, and possible endangerment to life, reproductive organs and blood sugar levels sounds like fucking bliss. When can you get that to me?
Given the risk - and many months of what can charitably be termed "inconvenience" - what are the alternatives to signing up for nine months of incubator duty? Let's find out. More »

Feature

9:00 AM on Thu May 8 2008
By Terry Johnson
1,968 views, 32 comments

Latest by Y Duras: @ndgmtlcd: Actually, in the Bujold books, the placenta is included in the uterine replicator. more »

ask a biogeek

Where Is My Medical Tricorder?

Reader Juan asks:
If not the medical tricorder from Star Trek, when could we possibly see diagnostic equipment capable of scanning for infections, viruses or impending heart attacks, attached to wrist watches or other portable devices?
Nothing against the phaser, but for many of us the most coveted piece of away team equipment is the tricorder, the medical version of which can perform a complex examination in a single whistling pass over a patient. If you've ever tried to lie perfectly still in a thumping MRI machine or sat in a doctor's office waiting for lab results, you've longed for faster, more portable diagnostic devices. More »

Feature

9:00 AM on Thu Apr 17 2008
By Terry Johnson
1,598 views, 18 comments

Latest by the_wiggle: @Gyrus: want! also, self cleaning clothes & home; plus flying car ;) more »

ask a biogeek

Forget the Jetpack - Where Are My Replacement Organs?

Welcome to Ask a Biogeek, a column about cutting-edge biology by UC Berkeley researcher Terry Johnson. Knowing which organs you can live without is all well and good, but wouldn't you rather have replacement organs? Tissue engineers already have some pretty good ones if you happen to lose your skin or severely damage your bones. And there are some other organs we're cooking up for you too, as long as you can hold out for a few more years. More »

Feature

9:45 AM on Thu Apr 3 2008
By Terry Johnson
1,715 views, 14 comments

Latest by Terry Johnson: Garrison: They are working on tissue engineered pancreas which are basically little sacks of insulin-producing cells. While getting cells to make insulin isn't terribly difficult, modulating the production according to blood sugar levels isn't easy. Bloggy: I wholeheartedly sympathize. Liver's a more »