Re: future evolution

From: William Morse (wdmorse_at_twcny.rr.com)
Date: 07/02/04 

Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2004 17:52:43 +0000 (UTC)

whopkins@csd.uwm.edu (Alfred Einstead) wrote in news:cbumkg$1qq2$1
@darwin.ediacara.org:

> David Dalton <dalton@nfld.com> wrote:
>> What features would you hope to see in future evolution of
>> our species or any other species, and which of those do
>> you think are biologically feasible?

Thank you for an interesting follow.

 
> Self-cloning, for missing, damaged or lost body parts;
> redundant backups for critical organs, such as the heart
> and brain, possibly implemented in part by multiple
> functionality in the other organs; faster communication
> speed for the nervous system (there are almost certainly
> some types of neurotransmitters that allow for drastically
> faster speeds); more generally, development of a symbiotic
> cybernetic facility, gradually fusing silicon/germanium
> technology in with organic technology.

The neurotransmitters at the synapses are I think limited by diffusion
speeds and are not subject to much improvement. The fusing of digital
silicon technology with organic technology is IMHO both more likely and
more interesting.

 
> Ones that are more difficult: jet-powered flight and
> swimming capability linked in directly with the
> respiratory system; wheels or treads in place of limbs;
> electromagnetic transmission/reception capability.

Speaking as a civil engineer, wheels are not a better solution than limbs
- because they require a complex infrastructure in order to be
effective. Now wings or jet power are very attractive.

Yours,

Bill Morse

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