This is potentially huge. Imagine being able to implant an artificial pancreas in a diabetic, or a new organ that helped to balance neurochemistry or hormones. Also, spit on a piece of paper to be diagnosed, or (after recovering from cancer) have an implanted monitor to alert you to the first signs of its return.

Originally shared by CM Stewart

“…living programmable ‘ribocomputing’ device based on networks of precisely designed, self-assembling synthetic RNAs (ribonucleic acid). The RNAs can sense multiple biosignals and make logical decisions to control protein production with high precision…the synthetic biological circuits could be used to produce drugs, fine chemicals, and biofuels or detect disease-causing agents and release therapeutic molecules inside the body.”

http://www.kurzweilai.net/a-living-programmable-biocomputing-device-based-on-rna