Archive

Nanotechnology

In this essay I introduce the basic concepts behind nanotechnology, which is discussed here in the sense of molecular and atom-scale manufacturing, and how this emerging technology has the potential to change the world. Introduction In each of our cells there are tiny machines called enzymes that can manipulate molecules and chemical reactions with a precision we ...

Genetic Engineering

"Nothing is too wonderful to be true." — Michael Faraday Modern molecular genetics has revolutionized medicine and our knowledge of ourselves. As a scientist working on the genetics and genomics of aging, it is my obligation to discuss the power and limitations of modern genetics. I also like to dream about the most revolutionary, and often most controversial, ...

Homo sapiens cyber

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on unreasonable men." — George Bernard Shaw Miniaturization I believe that a revolutionary shift in our way of life will occur this century based on two scientific fields. The first wave of change has already ...

Cosmology

"I don't think the human race will survive the next thousand years unless we spread into space." — Stephen Hawking The Insignificance of the Human Race What initially attracted me to cosmology was how insignificant our lives are. In this vast universe there are billions and billions of stars and planets and we are but a miniscule fraction ...

Cloning and Stem Cells

Cloning, including reproductive and therapeutic cloning, is an emerging technology. In this essay, I focus on the implications of this powerful yet controversial technology and how it can influence our lives. As a scientist working on stem cells, I also feel I have an obligation to discuss these technologies, their potential and the ethical issues they raise. From ...

O Fim da Maldição do Bambino

Esta é a história dos Boston Red Sox, que em 2004 ganharam o campeonato Americano de basebol, ou como dizem nos Estados Unidos, são Campeões do Mundo. Não jogaram um único jogo contra uma equipa estrangeira, mas nos Estados Unidos quem é campeão, seja de basquetebol ou basebol, é campeão do mundo e pronto. Para compreender ...

Alice’s dilemma

Download the PDF here Abstract Mathematician Lewis Carroll used Alice’s adventures in wonderland to introduce what may happen in the singularity of a black hole. Physicists still debate whether the singularity is a window to another universe, like Alice’s mirror, or a deadly trap. Although we are not endangered by black holes, we may soon face another ...