From:	Simon and Fiona sfuller@******.com.au
Subject:	new cyber/bioware
Date:	Sun, 9 Jan 2000 16:36:26 +1100

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Collins <paulcollins@*******.com>
To: shadowrn@*********.com <shadowrn@*********.com>
Date: Wednesday, November 08, 2000 10:53 PM
Subject: Re: new cyber/bioware


>
>
><Snip>
>
>Thinking back to high school biology and things,
>
>I think the person would die within a few days to weeks without some major
>medical intervention on a regular basis. All that icky stuff in the middle
>of the bones, which you seem to be leaving out, is bone marrow. This is
the
>part of the body that makes the red blood cells, and many of the bodies
>white blood cells. Oh, and the platelets as well.
>
>While I'm sure the cyberware could be designed around this, it is definatly
>a limiting factor.
>
>Annachie


No, I factored that in, I'm sure I said somewhere in the post that it would
have to be compensated with implants, possibly nanites.
Anyway, there are other bird adaptations that could be put over into humans.
Their eyesight, for example. Although the human eye is more complex, birds
are famous for being able to see for kilometres. Imagine, having the
benefits of telescopic vision constantly, without losing any short range
eyesight. A bird's respiratory system is also much more efficient than a
mammal's. This means not getting tired as quickly, and not needing to
breathe as often. Actual bird wings are a bit far, but a folding glider
could get you airborne.
Why stop at birds? Kangaroos have a specialised achilles tendon that stores
and returns far more energy than a human one. You could jump further and run
much longer before getting tired. Camels have a host of survival mechanisms
that could be adapted, including ears and nostrils that can be completely
sealed at will (the hump might be a bit much), many animals have subdermal
fat layers to insulate against the cold, dolphins and whales can hold their
breath for huge periods of time and never get the bends, and a host of
desert animals rarely if ever need to drink water due to efficient digestion
and waste removal. You could make super survivalists, soldiers vat grown for
specific conditions.
Anyway, a friend of mine studied animal biology in university, and bird
anatomy is a pet love of his. I shall have to rack his brain, when I find
him.