The Nature of Things

Designing for Dignity: Engineering Body Parts (40x5)

: 22, 1999

A baby perfect in every detail. Every one of the billions of cells in this baby carry all of the genetic information needed to produce every part of the body. But what happens if this genetic information is incomplete, the design modified, the function altered or destroyed by trauma or disease or a body part simply wears out? Engineers world wide are working with plastics, metals and living tissues. Trying to mimic Mother Nature and return the damaged body to function and dignity.