Bioengineering: the advent of metabiology (part II)

The ability to modify or replace organs or functions and to intervene in the transmission of hereditary characteristics is a fundamental turning point in the development of living organisms and of bioengineering. The theoretical potential of metabiology--the intervention from the outside on functions, organs and sub-organs through artificial organs as well as genetic engineering-- is briefly reviewed. Specific goals are proposed and engineering capabilities needed to achieve them are assessed. The impact on engineering and bioengineering of metabiology is examined and some fundamental issues of public policy concerning metabiology and bioengineering are proposed. (Part I of this paper was published in the July-Sept. 1981 issue of the Journal of Clinical Engineering.).