Comments on: The ‘chemputer’ that could print out any drug http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug Accelerating Intelligence Sun, 26 May 2013 05:54:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Devon http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26999 Devon Tue, 31 Jul 2012 19:29:34 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26999 You make it sound like being addicted to a drug that improves cognitive capacity is a bad thing... So long as there are no harmful side affects, why not? After all, aren't we all addicted to sugar, caffeine, and plenty of sleep? All of these act by altering our bio-chemistry in a way that is not fundamentally out of the reach of drugs. This could be greatly elaborated upon, but surely you can see my point. You make it sound like being addicted to a drug that improves cognitive capacity is a bad thing… So long as there are no harmful side affects, why not? After all, aren’t we all addicted to sugar, caffeine, and plenty of sleep? All of these act by altering our bio-chemistry in a way that is not fundamentally out of the reach of drugs. This could be greatly elaborated upon, but surely you can see my point.

]]> By: Andrés Gómez http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26407 Andrés Gómez Sat, 28 Jul 2012 08:49:50 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26407 It should not be "Selfish Matter." If we take the analogous equivalent of the "Selfish Gene" we would have to think about how every pattern arises; when we focus on sub-gene patterns that replicate, then we might as well call it the selfish drive of the pattern. It should not be “Selfish Matter.” If we take the analogous equivalent of the “Selfish Gene” we would have to think about how every pattern arises; when we focus on sub-gene patterns that replicate, then we might as well call it the selfish drive of the pattern.

]]> By: Bri http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26122 Bri Fri, 27 Jul 2012 01:12:20 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26122 It's a principal that has been talked about for years. That a desk top box could produce anything, like the steamy chicken , in the microwave, in Fith Element. These are the precursors to that tech. The article may be mildly misleading, but I suspect that they are s little sheepish about, what they are up to. Even to loose a single blockbuster drug will hurt the drug companies. In time it will have the same effects that we are exploring. "printers" will grow in capability at the same breakneck speed we are seeing in all fields. It still is an elegant proof of concept, even if it does resemble the first transistor now. Shame though, it would be great if we could push a button and get all those supplements that Ray takes!!! It’s a principal that has been talked about for years. That a desk top box could produce anything, like the steamy chicken , in the microwave, in Fith Element. These are the precursors to that tech. The article may be mildly misleading, but I suspect that they are s little sheepish about, what they are up to. Even to loose a single blockbuster drug will hurt the drug companies. In time it will have the same effects that we are exploring. “printers” will grow in capability at the same breakneck speed we are seeing in all fields. It still is an elegant proof of concept, even if it does resemble the first transistor now. Shame though, it would be great if we could push a button and get all those supplements that Ray takes!!!

]]> By: Editor http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26120 Editor Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:41:11 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26120 Agreed, updated Agreed, updated

]]> By: Nick http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26116 Nick Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26116 I believe this article summary is easily misinterpreted. Many people will read it believing that this prototype 3D printer is already capable of printing prescription drugs. It should make it clearer that Professor Lee Cronin has made a 3d printer that COULD print any prescription drug, not that it CAN. (In other words, if further R&D pans out.) The original article explains that, "In the shorter term, his team is looking at ways in which relatively simple drugs – ibuprofen is the example they are using – might be successfully produced in their 3D printer or portable "chemputer". If that principle can be established, then the possibilities suddenly seem endless." and also: "Not surprisingly Cronin is excited by these prospects, though he continually adds the caveat that they are still essentially at the "science fiction" stage of this process." I believe this article summary is easily misinterpreted. Many people will read it believing that this prototype 3D printer is already capable of printing prescription drugs. It should make it clearer that Professor Lee Cronin has made a 3d printer that COULD print any prescription drug, not that it CAN. (In other words, if further R&D pans out.)
The original article explains that, “In the shorter term, his team is looking at ways in which relatively simple drugs – ibuprofen is the example they are using – might be successfully produced in their 3D printer or portable “chemputer”. If that principle can be established, then the possibilities suddenly seem endless.”

and also:

“Not surprisingly Cronin is excited by these prospects, though he continually adds the caveat that they are still essentially at the “science fiction” stage of this process.”

]]> By: Ralph Dratman http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26112 Ralph Dratman Thu, 26 Jul 2012 23:35:11 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26112 Every drug company monitors the strength and purity of its products. Will the same quality control be built into home-printed drugs? Pardon me if I doubt that. Every drug company monitors the strength and purity of its products. Will the same quality control be built into home-printed drugs? Pardon me if I doubt that.

]]> By: Bri http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26098 Bri Thu, 26 Jul 2012 21:42:48 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26098 Cats out of the bag. Now that the proof of concept is over, somebody somewhere will make one for nefarious purposes. It's a big game changer. Think of all the pension money invested in drug companies. No more pharmacies, cocaine growers, etc. Could wipe out all dope dealers too! Cats out of the bag. Now that the proof of concept is over, somebody somewhere will make one for nefarious purposes. It’s a big game changer. Think of all the pension money invested in drug companies. No more pharmacies, cocaine growers, etc. Could wipe out all dope dealers too!

]]> By: Gorden Russell http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26086 Gorden Russell Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:42:54 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26086 The Mexican narco cartel has murdered 50,000 innocent people. This could put them out of business...but it will lead to another 50,000 innocents being slaughtered on this side of the border. The Mexican narco cartel has murdered 50,000 innocent people. This could put them out of business…but it will lead to another 50,000 innocents being slaughtered on this side of the border.

]]> By: Bernard http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26072 Bernard Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:34:02 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26072 This is on a par with the printed firearm story. Anyone motivated enough to want one of these will have one and like the gun enthusiasts there will be a big community spreading knowledge to all interested parties. This is on a par with the printed firearm story. Anyone motivated enough to want one of these will have one and like the gun enthusiasts there will be a big community spreading knowledge to all interested parties.

]]> By: egore http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26069 egore Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:20:21 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26069 Wonderful tool, could have deadly consequences. Wonderful tool, could have deadly consequences.

]]> By: Jonathan Cole http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26068 Jonathan Cole Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:17:19 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26068 If 'the government' can get a malware code into an iranian secure nuclear facility then they can certainly get some into your chemprinter, to send them info on what you are making. Get comfortable with the idea that NOTHING you do can remain private for any length of time, starting very soon. Plan accordingly! If ‘the government’ can get a malware code into an iranian secure nuclear facility then they can certainly get some into your chemprinter, to send them info on what you are making. Get comfortable with the idea that NOTHING you do can remain private for any length of time, starting very soon. Plan accordingly!

]]> By: melajara http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26060 melajara Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:16:41 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26060 It will be very interesting to see if those "reactors", once real, could be miniaturized enough to be embedded in our bodies if not our cells (somewhat completing the Golgi apparatus), then we'll have another path to emmortality. It will be very interesting to see if those “reactors”, once real, could be miniaturized enough to be embedded in our bodies if not our cells (somewhat completing the Golgi apparatus), then we’ll have another path to emmortality.

]]> By: Marcos Marin http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26055 Marcos Marin Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:54:21 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26055 Only if your "clever friend" is pharmaco-chemist with enough time and motivation to reverse engineer yet-another designer drug. Let alone risking getting any little detail wrong and overdosing you with a more potent version or bypassing cytochromes you might have less copies of in your genes ;-) Thus, professionals will have a lot to gain from proprietary "code", in the beginning at least. Only if your “clever friend” is pharmaco-chemist with enough time and motivation to reverse engineer yet-another designer drug. Let alone risking getting any little detail wrong and overdosing you with a more potent version or bypassing cytochromes you might have less copies of in your genes ;-) Thus, professionals will have a lot to gain from proprietary “code”, in the beginning at least.

]]> By: Roma http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26026 Roma Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:11:42 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26026 On the bright side, the pushers will only be able to charge you for the convenience of getting you the drug ready made. After all, with open source printers, online instruction, and 'motivation' you or your clever friend can duplicate the setup to produce your own supply. On the bright side, the pushers will only be able to charge you for the convenience of getting you the drug ready made.

After all, with open source printers, online instruction, and ‘motivation’ you or your clever friend can duplicate the setup to produce your own supply.

]]> By: Spotted Marley http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26019 Spotted Marley Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:33:57 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26019 @Bill .. paranoid much? you know that's a common drug side effect @Bill .. paranoid much? you know that’s a common drug side effect

]]> By: Bill http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26009 Bill Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:53:26 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26009 Illegal designer drugs labs are going to set this up in the garage producing drugs that keep you up all night completely lucid so you can study for that exam, drugs that are so addictive you'll never be free of them, new highs that will make cocaine look like caffeine. Illegal designer drugs labs are going to set this up in the garage producing drugs that keep you up all night completely lucid so you can study for that exam, drugs that are so addictive you’ll never be free of them, new highs that will make cocaine look like caffeine.

]]> By: Bri http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-chemputer-that-could-print-out-any-drug/comment-page-1#comment-26004 Bri Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:36:04 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156959#comment-26004 Like I said in earlier posts, soon your cell phone will make your doctor, and the drug companies obsolete. The " phone" will diagnose, and prescribe. Then this type of printer will make the drug. It's just that it could also make heroin, or a toxin. Can be very good, we just tend to be bad. ( I really hate my enemy, I'll fix thier wagon!). Like I said in earlier posts, soon your cell phone will make your doctor, and the drug companies obsolete. The ” phone” will diagnose, and prescribe. Then this type of printer will make the drug. It’s just that it could also make heroin, or a toxin. Can be very good, we just tend to be bad. ( I really hate my enemy, I’ll fix thier wagon!).

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