prosthetics an unfair advantage?

[piemaker720]

http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/03C2D2...-4929B243FA8F/

The South African had his legs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old, yet on Sunday will line up alongside world and Olympic champion Jeremy Warriner in the 400m at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Sheffield
He will run on j-shaped carbon-fibre prosthetics that have inevitably earned him the nickname "Blade Runner".

Unfair advantage! No, No, No it is not an unfair advantage. That is so stupid for anyone to think that. I think this guy should be applauded for trying to overcome a handicap and do something he likes. It takes guts to do what this guy is doing.

[AnimeSpirit]

I was just thinking. Prosthetics are becoming more and more advanced everyday. We already have robotic limbs that can be controlled by thought. We already have robotic sensors in these limbs that allow a person to feel heat, pain, and pressure. Pretty soon, we'll have this technique down flat and people who have lost limbs for whatever reason may have them replaced with a realistic-looking robot hand that will work just as well.

I watched a documentary a while back that pointed out that some people would be willing to get prosthetics in order to enhance their normal human capabilities. There are people out there who want to be cybornetic! During this documentary, a man was interviewed who shares this very view point. He said that when the technology becomes available, he is going to cyberize as much of his body as possible.

When such procedures become common and prosthetic limbs are developed so that they become stronger and faster than natural limbs, I wouldn't be surprised to see "cyberized" people no longer appearing in sporting events with people who are still all-natural. In these cases, they will definitely possess an unfair advantage. It'll be like steroids in sporting events today as robotic limbs don't necessarily have to feel pain and don't get tired. They are likely to be lighter weight than our water-based natural limbs and do not consume oxygen, allowing for less breath to continue functioning at full speed.

Within the next few decades, having a prosthetic limb will no longer be a handicap. As far as this particular guy with his minor prosthetics, the simple act of running may be very different for him, but it is hard to say if it is easier or harder for him.

[piemaker720]

Originally Posted by AnimeSpirit

I was just thinking. Prosthetics are becoming more and more advanced everyday. We already have robotic limbs that can be controlled by thought. We already have robotic sensors in these limbs that allow a person to feel heat, pain, and pressure. Pretty soon, we'll have this technique down flat and people who have lost limbs for whatever reason may have them replaced with a realistic-looking robot hand that will work just as well.

I watched a documentary a while back that pointed out that some people would be willing to get prosthetics in order to enhance their normal human capabilities. There are people out there who want to be cybornetic! During this documentary, a man was interviewed who shares this very view point. He said that when the technology becomes available, he is going to cyberize as much of his body as possible.

When such procedures become common and prosthetic limbs are developed so that they become stronger and faster than natural limbs, I wouldn't be surprised to see "cyberized" people no longer appearing in sporting events with people who are still all-natural. In these cases, they will definitely possess an unfair advantage. It'll be like steroids in sporting events today as robotic limbs don't necessarily have to feel pain and don't get tired. They are likely to be lighter weight than our water-based natural limbs and do not consume oxygen, allowing for less breath to continue functioning at full speed.

Within the next few decades, having a prosthetic limb will no longer be a handicap. As far as this particular guy with his minor prosthetics, the simple act of running may be very different for him, but it is hard to say if it is easier or harder for him.

You say that in the future it may be unfair. But we are not in the future we are in the present so again is it unfair for this guy to participate.

[AnimeSpirit]

Originally Posted by piemaker720

You say that in the future it may be unfair. But we are not in the future we are in the present so again is it unfair for this guy to participate.

As I said, it's hard to say. My position is that he should be allowed to compete because, at present, there are no rules against prosthetics. Of course, this may be subject to change in later years.

[joepole]

>No, No, No it is not an unfair advantage. That is so stupid for anyone to think that.

Why isn't it?

[piemaker720]

Originally Posted by joepole

>No, No, No it is not an unfair advantage. That is so stupid for anyone to think that.

Why isn't it?

What would expect him to do? Not run!