[Bionics: limits and perspectives]

Bionics, based on analogies between living beings and technical systems, neglect fundamental differences, e.g., on the one hand, technology uses high temperatures, a mean closed to all living beings and, on the other hand, the cells of all organisms keep high autonomy. The first fact makes it possible, e.g., to construct airplanes three or four powers of ten heavier than the heaviest birds, whereas the second fact enables each cell to reproduce itself, to restore lost limbs or even the whole organism, far beyond the reach of technology. The symbiosis of organisms and technical installations (biotechnology) or, on a higher level, of mankind and environment, may be a guiding star for future development.