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

> David Dalton  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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