Topic: 3D Printing and Clones

[Skaran]

Recently rewatched Fifth Element where the character Lilu is basically printed out using the genetic material recovered. This prompted a discussion given todays advances in both 3D scans of humans and the research into basically printing organs layer by layer.

The discussions included that effectively in the future this could be used to print 3D clones, scan the original print as many copies as you want. If the scan is this detailed then we also thought that, assuming the print was sufficiently detailed to do this then it would also print the neural pathways thus you printed clones would also have all the memories of the parent at the time of the scan.

Now take a supersoldier and biocopy thousands....

[markc]

 Yes but how long does it take, how much $ does it take and what are the % chance of errors? You could throw away a few hundred copies or recycle them.


MDC

[Skaran]

How much would it cost to train a super soldier probably millions. So if the copies are cheaper than say a million run some off. How fast you can get a copy would depend on tech level, in the film a matter of moments only (obviously for effect) but say 24 hours at whatever level you allow its introduction and halving for each TL above. Replication errors would need to be very low but life forms do have a certain amount of redundancy built in - even neural pathways.

So as a game mechanic a partial success would generate a random physical or mental quirk which could impare the copy. Normal success fine. Exceptional success could generate a random physical or mental quirk which gives some improvement. (Apply a penalty is the copy is made from a copy though, perhaps) The failure recycle. The catastrophic failure generate something from Doom perhaps.

[Marc R]

Star Trek Transporters. .. disintegrate you on one end, send data, copy you on the other. . .

If the copier could get down to the energy state of the atoms, your memories via electrochemical states would pass over also.

[markc]

 Yes but what about your soul? If you want to take the discussion into a metaphysical direction.
MDC

[Marc R]

It's come up on trek, some people refuse to be transported for exactly that reason.

[Skaran]

Talk about coincidence, I just watched a news story on the local TV about 3D printing of organs, not ready yet but certainly being looked at.

[Marc R]

Just wait until someone prints a bacteria or virus, and they get into the discussion of if that works, they managed, frankenstien-like to create life from inanimate matter.