When most people hear the words bionic arms and eLegs, images from science fiction novels or films might come to mind. But scientists are creating a new generation of artificial body parts to help real people with real disabilities see, walk, swim, grip and run.
Amanda Boxtel, who is walking again after 19 years, is one of these individuals.
Boxtel is among the first paraplegics to try a sophisticated exoskeleton called eLegs that allow her to stand tall and walk. The Pentagon funded the research and development of eLegs to make it possible for troops to hike longer and faster while carrying more weight.
Iraq veteran Glen Lehman, who lost his right arm in a grenade attack in 2008, is using a prosthetic arm he powers with his mind.
This is possible due to inventor Dean Kamen, of Segway fame, who is helping push an explosion in the world of bionics. Kamen is focused on the bionic device, an artificial arm brimming with actuators, batteries and silicon that creates 10 powered degrees of freedom and comes a lot closer to a human arm than the body-powered split-hook devices that were the only prosthetic option for arm amputees for so many years.
Kamen's arm was also funded by the Pentagon in hopes that it will improve the lives of wounded warriors.
Although many individuals are excited about the melding of mind and machine, some like Michael Chorost remain skeptical.
Chorost lost all of his hearing 10 years ago and was implanted with cochlear implants, computers that decipher sound into signals his brain could detect and he could comprehend.
"I think there is a lot of misplaced optimism at this point. And what I mean by misplaced optimism is the assumption that we will soon and easily be able to replace all damaged and disabled body parts. There is no reason in principle why that can't be done, but science fiction makes it look like it's easy. And it's not," he said.
Quotes
"It's about people throwing off the shackles of history saying that some people are less than." Aimee Mullins, paralympian.
"I think there is a lot of misplaced optimism at this point. And what I mean by misplaced optimism is the assumption that we will soon and easily be able to replace all damaged and disabled body parts. There is no reason in principle why that can't be done, but science fiction makes it look like it's easy. And it's not." Michael Chorost, author.
Warm Up Questions
1. What does it mean when something is artificial?
2. What is a prosthetic?
3. What does bionic mean?
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think scientists are focused on bionic technology?
2. How do you think people who have lost limbs feel about having a prosthetic? How do you think it would make you feel?
3. Why do you think the government is using funds to further this line of science?
Additional Resources
Update: Haitian Amputee Gets New Leg, New Reason to Dance
Mind Over Matter: Monkeys Brain Activity Used to Control Robotic Arm
