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  • Vera Rulon

    Star Trek Healthcare: Part 2

    January 19, 2012

    Vera Rulon, Director

    Since I last blogged about Star Trek and its technological and scientific predictions in healthcare, I’ve been seeing more and more news on the subject.

    The tricorder loomed its head again in the form of the Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize, offering $10 million to anyone who can develop one. The prize outlines specifics, such as how much the tricoder should weigh and how many diseases it should be capable of diagnosing. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16518171

    Not quite the transportation of molecules, but reminiscent of the transporter, several Miami physicians transported themselves in the form of robots to Baghdad. http://healthystate.org/2011/11/miami-docs-teleport-themselves-to-give-trauma-care-in-baghdad However, there has been progress on developing this technology although not for humans. This might be centuries away, at least.

    The How Stuff Works website has a great outline of the work that has been done on teleportation to date. http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/everyday-myths/teleportation.htm

    And what about Goerdi Laforge’s visor, and then his ocular prosthetic implants in later seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation? In a recent TED talk, neuroscientist Sheila Nirinberg talked about a prosthetic device that helps blind people see.  Certainly reminiscent of Goerdi’s visor and implants! http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=3502

    I am sure there are other technologies that I’ve missed that science fiction writers have predicted or advanced through their innovative thinking.

    All I know is that my family is tickled pink at my interest in watching more Star Trek episodes. Although I don’t think they will see me donning a Star Trek uniform any time soon, the show certainly does make one think about the strong connection between science/technology and the creative arts.

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