The Next, Next Big Thing

Eventually the fields of genetic engineering and nanotechnology will merge into a single field of Protein Engineering. Because, nanotechnologists will find that the best way to build microscopic machines is to do it the way that nature already does it. It will begin with biomimicry using current methods of genetic engineering. Eventually geneticists will be able to create new organisms beyond just tweaking current ones. When this happens Protein Engineering will emerge. The next step beyond this is the merger between engineered flesh and non-organic machines and computers. Imagine a “living” organism with no brain, respiratory system, or digestive system. It will have just a basic nervous system, organic musculoskeletal system, an artificial computer brain, and a “fuel cell” that contains preprocessed nutrients that are pumped directly into the blood stream then filtered by an organic waste removal system (like a kidney that empties into a container). These will be the robots of the future. This methodology will create robots that can perform complex tasks with the flexibility provided by a body that uses muscles rather than motors and actuators. These are the soldiers and the workers of the future made possible by Protein Engineering that will give the ability to design new structures made from organic material.