Will it be possible to one day......

[JediDillon]

Replace severed limbs like a leg or an arm with an artificially human created one? Not like the mechanical arms and legs that we have today, but like with actual arms and legs that humans have created by regrowing skin cells. Kinda like the bio-synthetic ones from Star Trek. Do you think that this could be possible in the next 20-30 years?

[noname4u]

Of course it will be. Technology for that is almost within reach and rudimentary artificial organs have already been grown and tested. The time frame however is questionable.

[Suicidesoldier#1]

Humans already grew arms and legs once, so in theory it should be relatively easy, but hopefully we'll make ever better super arms and legs! blaugh

[MillKitten]

I wouldn't put it past science....

[The Jawbreaker]

[Hamika Kitsuhana]

JediDillon

Replace severed limbs like a leg or an arm with an artificially human created one? Not like the mechanical arms and legs that we have today, but like with actual arms and legs that humans have created by regrowing skin cells. Kinda like the bio-synthetic ones from Star Trek. Do you think that this could be possible in the next 20-30 years?

It's already possible.
But, it's unethical, and needs to be illegal.

[Scarletgurl]

stem cells

[Levin Bolt]

If technology continues to proceed the way it has been, then yes; not only will we be able to replace limbs, we'll be able to make them better.

Imagine a Deus Ex scenario in which people elect to have body parts replaced with enhanced parts. It will be a reality soon, methinks.

[Vannak]

Hamika Kitsuhana

JediDillon

Replace severed limbs like a leg or an arm with an artificially human created one? Not like the mechanical arms and legs that we have today, but like with actual arms and legs that humans have created by regrowing skin cells. Kinda like the bio-synthetic ones from Star Trek. Do you think that this could be possible in the next 20-30 years?

It's already possible.
But, it's unethical, and needs to be illegal.

I'm sorry, but what about this topic do you find unethical?

[Fermionic]

A human being's made of more than skin.

[Dr Tickles MD]

The genes are like, right there. We've just gotta use them.

[Embden Meyerhof]

It's going to be a long time before that happens, there's a long list of things to consider before it can be possible.

The bigger concerns are first of all, growing a limb outside the body for transplant.
Even with sterm cells there is absolutely no way you can regenerate something as big as a missing arm, much less if it's missing from a congenital anomaly (A congenital problem with the Shh or HOX proteins for example).

Now, let's say that you can grow an entire limb in a lab and somehow keep the endothelial tissue, bone tissue, epithelial tissue and muscular tissue alive and well for a long time as well as a regulated blood flow around the vessels.
There's still the issue of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) via the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA).

The whole thing would cost you thousands if not more, let alone the endless hours in surgery and months in therapy to be able to use your new limb enough to lead a normal life (though not good enough as if you were born with it).

The only current solution to this is cloning to have your own transplant "bank", which would be extremely unethical and pretty much illegal, aside from ridiculously expensive.

There's still a lot more issues regarding such transplants, but you get the idea.
For the time being, we have to depend on prosthetic limbs.

[dwarfshorty]

JediDillon

Replace severed limbs like a leg or an arm with an artificially human created one? Not like the mechanical arms and legs that we have today, but like with actual arms and legs that humans have created by regrowing skin cells. Kinda like the bio-synthetic ones from Star Trek. Do you think that this could be possible in the next 20-30 years?

pentagon is already working on it. http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/03/darpa-muscle-re/

[Parasynthetic]

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/11/self-healing-plastic-skin-points.html

[Princess Kuru]

Fermionic

A human being's made of more than skin.

Kidneys and hearts and lungs and what-not?

But seriously, what does that have to do with someone growing a new arm for someone who needs... a new arm?

Human beings are made of lots of little squishy bits.What's the harm in growing a few extra spare parts? If it's a matter of morality versus human suffering, then certainly I'd accept the role of the devil if it ended someone's pain.

Growing new limbs, organs and curing diseases is just the beginning in a whole new chapter of human physiology.

It's okay. Let go of your concept of god and embrace those darling little stem-cells! I promise they won't bite!