Sunday, November 4, 2012

Biopunk- My Question

Why aren't more affordable, do-it-yourself diagnostic tools more widely available to the public? We have all heard about pregnancy tests and even at-home drug screening tests, but why isn't there a test for cancer? Or any other disease, for that matter? It seems like some sort of DIY cancer kit could do fairly well on today's market. I suppose that mass producing such kits may prove difficult, but there could also be a way to sell the product not fully formed. The kit could come with all of the necessary components and a set of straightforward instructions, the the buyer could put the pieces together easily enough. I imagine it wouldn't be too much harder than putting together an Ikea dresser. I think such tests could prove very useful in today's world, especially with the Baby Boomer generation reaching an age where disease is a high risk. I think the Biopunk movement is taking great leaps in the direction of making science affordable and inclusive, and the next step is clearly to make it more widespread.

3 comments:

  1. This is totally cool to think about: the thought of cancer testing within our own homes? There are many diseases that are hereditary and people do not even know they carry the gene for it. Crazy to think this could potentially one day be on the shelves of our drugstores. The only problem would be to make it affordable for a manufacturer on a massive scale, like you mentioned. Only thing I disagree with is the easy concept of putting together an IKEA dresser, it took me three hours haha

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    1. I think it would be so cool if manufacturers could figure out a way to make the tests affordable! Maybe it'll happen some day soon!

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  2. That would be pretty interesting, but yea hopefully they make them affordable because I believe we can do we have the knowledge its just them not being lazy and making it even though it will take some time.

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