The Future Of The Bionic Being

 Guest Article

Guest writing for 33rd Square, Jean Zhang explored how the dramatic appearance of Oscar Pistorius at this years Summer Olympics demonstrates how bionics are entering the mainstream and opening the door for future body augmentation acceptance.

The London Olympics were the highlight of this summer, as most Olympics are. On the stage of the world’s greatest games, a less-than-typical runner emerged from the crowd of elite athletes. South African runner, Oscar Pistorius, became the first amputee to run in the Olympics.

This amazing athlete appeared on the track with his bionic J-shaped Cheetah Flex-Foot blades to compete in the 400 m individual and the 4 x 400 meter relay race. While he did not take a gold medal, this was still a monumental occasion for Pistorius, as he was banned from the 2008 Olympics for having bionic legs that were perhaps too much of an advantage. This speaks wonders about bionic prosthetic, as they continue to provide people that have been historically viewed as disabled with advantages that compete with, and at times exceed, the average human’s capabilities.

Even more amazingly, Pistorius’s story is not the only one of its kind. Bionic prosthetics have been making the news, allowing paraplegics to finish marathons, helping blind people to see, and of course, taking a South African amputee to compete in the Olympics.

The future of bionics also has promising changes including:

Brain Controlled Prosthetics - Scientists in Rhode Island have invented a robot arm that can be controlled directly by the user’s brain. The device uses brainwaves & tiny electrodes to control movement.

Sugar Control – Trials have started for creation of a handheld artificial pancreas, which will aid in insulin regulation for Type 1 diabetics. The device uses information from the user about food intake and adjusts insulin levels based on the meal or snack.

Tooth Decay Reversal – researchers at the Univeresity of Maryland have developed a nanocomposite that can be used not only as filling, but also works to regenerate the tooth’s structure that has been lost due to decay, as well as killing decay-causing bacteria.

By Jean Zhang

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Author Bio:

Jean Zhang writes on behalf of Data Weighing Systems.  Data Weighing Systems is a leading distributor of weighing and force measuring equipment with expertise in technology and electronics products that can significantly increase business efficiency and measurement accuracy.  To explore rental scales, reel counter rentals or Sartorius scales, visit www.dataweigh.com.