"Brian" <zhil at online.no>:
[...]
> Why not consentrate on genetic engineering of cells ?
> You could in effect program those axons (output) and dendrites (input) to
> connect
> with the electronics via specially grown cells.
> Just my 2?cents...................for what it's worth.
> Hmmm, come to think of it, bacteries ARE nano-technology :)
> Mvh
> Brian
Your suggestion is good, though I dont know much about genetic engineering.
>From my understanding of gene therapy, it takes a viral vector to introduce
new genes into the target cells and this poses the problem of immune response.
More importantly, I think that many bio structures in the adult are "fixed"
during the course of development; Genetic engineering cannot just create
some novel structures out of nowhere. It might be more useful for cloning
or making better babies.
But i think ultimately the techniques of genetic engineering and hybrid
systems (bio + electronic) will be complementary. Also, the way the neurons
grow can be modified by growth factors and other substances that regulate
gene expression. This is an area of great potential.
