Once the epiphyseal plates of the long bones have closed, further bone growth is considered impossible. Considering that height, or lack thereof, has considerable sociological ramifications, will it be possible to one day "choose" our height? Many of you know that shorter people are on average paid less, date less, and are respected less. A recent study revealed that shorter people may even be less intelligent.
I already know about growth hormone for children, but the maximum height you can gain from it is 3". I'm too old for it as it is.
Can biotechnology, nanotechnology, future medical technology help allieviate this disease to the people it has already inflicted? We already have the "Ilizarov Method," or 'limb lenghtening' method as one form of primative invasive biotechnology.
Recently, an ultrasound device has been developed by scientists to regrow teeth. It may be one day used for people to gain height. Please read the attached link. When do you think this will happen?
2007-03-18 14:32:47 · 2 answers · asked by Marc 1 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2006/06/ultrasound_base.html
When will this technology come about? Is transhumanism the only hope?
I already am familiar with the use of Growth Hormone in children, but again, this is still primitive - you can, at best, gain 3 inches which is worthless compared to the $100,000 you'd have to pay.
Is there anyone else doing research on bone regrowth?
Can you send me any links?
Thank you.
2007-03-18 14:33:58 · update #1