Frankenstein

Face and hands that I know of. Then there was that business with Jeff Gilooly, but I'm not sure that counts.

Face and hands.

Face was plastic surgery. Were the hands transplants or re-attachments. I suspect the cost of such surgery wouldn't warrant it being done, but the thought of creating life ala Frankenstein style seems a possibility now more than ever before. I think we are in a time where the boundary between science fiction and reality can be crossed.

Nope. Both were transplants.

Are you talking about the french woman? Do you know any news?

Yahlasit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW2N2O7OcAA

Deeply disturbing to me to see people suffer this way. Although far from perfect, advances in transplantation are being made and are helping to alleviate some of the suffering.

Obviously the more successful operations are the re-attachment or direct replacement surgeries. I'm referring to the toes-for-fingers type operations when the original structure is too badly damaged to re-attach.

The Frankenstein reference has a negative connotation that some may feel is inappropriate considering the circumstances.

The Frankenstein reference is entirely appropiate as the OP clearly states "creating life", not repairing damaged bodies.

Hello ronseto.

I do not see it clearly stated your OP this talking about "creating life". I did see "Technically, we are getting close to producing a Frankenstein monster."

Creating life, as in the animation of a human being comprised of varied components (not really the correct word, but let's go with it) from varied persons deceased? Like I saw in the movie?

Well, OK. I guess. Are you asking us if this is possible, or telling us that it is?

"the thought of creating life ala Frankenstein style"

Sorry, it was in my reply #2 that I stated it. This wasn't meant to be a question, but a discussion. I would just like to hear what others think about such a provocative subject. If it is now or will be possible, it opens a can of wide ranging implications and questions not many are willing to explore or question, both moral and ethical.

Technically this has already happened on a single cellular level. Venter and his company created an artificial single celled life form by taking an existing bacteria, removing the nuclear contents and replacing it with a synthetic genome then allowing the cell to reproduce. The synthetic genome was not made up from whole cloth however, they started with an existing genome, mapped every gene sequence in it, decided what parts were required to sustain life and deleted anything extraneous and then put it back together again.

Actually, there is good evidence of a Frankenstein monster. Here.

Yes.

The root of the problem as I see it comes down to the following question:

Can people with the best of intentions inadvertently wander into the realm that others will call them a monster?

Well Ronseto, I believe you have.

I do understand that you raise this question with the best of intentions but to link the medical wonders of life extending transplants to Shelley's Frankenstein creature wants me to put you squarely in the real monster of the story, the mindless mob. This disgusts me.

There is a more relevant and likely question here. We are at the point where we can shortly, I think, start to either transplant stem cells or else alter those we already have with some confidence. No matter the mechanism, and I do understand the ethical considerations, this will be done. Perhaps within the next two decades we will develop the technology to change our DNA makeup, to grow new nerve cells, to heal damaged cells. Bioengineering is poised to do this, and the rest of us ought to begin talking about some of the issues. For example, in the same way that ADM owns gmo seeds, no matter where the wind blows them, will some pharma giant own my DNA if I receive a transplant of Hemopoietic Stem Cells from them?

Hand transplant's been done. Soldier wounded in Middle East is supposed to get two arms transplanted. Lost all 4 limbs in an attack. Featured on this past Sunday's "Sunday Morning" on CBS.

I'm old enough to remember the first Heart transplant, it caused great anguish at the time as the conservatives and clergy gnashed their teeth. Now it's routine and no one worries much.

I suspect the same thing will happen again, this time using tissue grown in vitro, xenotransplants and organic/silicon machinery. Bring it on.

How do you define a monster?

may be the "put- together" creature will be less a monster than many "human" beings?

Who knows?

If I well remember (I read it a long time ago, don't ask me how many years!) in the story the "monster" was not as a "monster" as his fame.

Well.....

Well, forget the bolt in the neck and the heavy boots.... I trust the first robot will be the 4.0 version of this. https://youtube/Xi0HsmnDafI

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