Some thought on Batelle's Top 10 for 2005... is 2005 an overly conservative estimate?
> Genome mapping - enabling doctors to predict who will get what
> disease.
Happening already; theoretically possible, but various ethical issues are
still being worked out
> Supermaterials - rugged, adaptable building materials for
> communications, etc.
Happening already, to an extent - polymers, ceramics, fibre optics and
the like. They may seem like old hat, but they were pretty super when we
invented them. Not so much revolution as evolution, IMHO.
> High definition TV - digital video for cinema-quality viewing.
Sort of happening already - IIRC, still political wrangling over standards
> Handheld electronic devices - phone, fax, computer in the palm of
> your hand.
Happening already; I have a Psion 3a handheld, which has a fax/modem
addon, and who hasn't got a mobile phone?
> Targeted medical treatments - focused on the ailment only, reduced
> side effects.
Revolution/evolution once more; sulfonamide (IIRC) drugs started doing
this in the 40s and 50s - we're just learning to do it better
> Hybrid fuel vehicles - lower emissions, better mileage, higher
> performance.
The paranoiac in me says that we've had this for years, but the oil
company's are sitting on it ;-) More likely, we're nearly there now - in
the light of CA legislation, it suddenly becomes economically viable to
push their development.
> Edutainment - educational games and computerized simulations for
> learning.
I played educational games when I was at secondary school (feels like
more than the 9 years ago it really is). The standard is getting better,
and software is being developed for younger (pre-school) and older
(undergrad, postgrad and higher), but need I mention those ...ution words
again? ;-)
Given that we're looking 10 years into the future (remember where we were in 1985?), shouldn't we be aiming our sights somewhat higher???
Andrew Smith
Associate Editor
International Laboratory News