The Bionic Eye (and Other Future Prostethics)

The trend was predicted in a not-very-scientific 1970s television show, and now, gradually, extremely sophisticated prostethics are becoming a cutting-edge reality. Professor Mark Humayun from the University of California, appearing at the AAAS Annual Meeting, on Thursday described development of a "bionic eye" and predicted it could be available to patients within two years.

Read a complete report from BBC News.

A Reuters report carried at Scientific American's web site compared the artificial eye to cochlear implants that are used to give hearing to hearing-impaired people. The eye is classed with emerging "smart" prostheses "that link with the brain and nervous system to restore function lost to disease or injury," said the report by Julie Steenhuysen.

The headline in Clive Cookson's story for the Financial Times alluded directly to the Lee Majors angle: "Scientists prepare way for bionic man." Cookson focused in part on researchers' efforts "to restore natural arm and leg movements to people who are completely paralysed, using the power of neurotechnology." Read his full report.

16 February 2007