You're correct about the marrow and liver creating RBC's. The other organ is the spleen (as you mentioned); however, the spleen only creates RBC's (haematopoeisis) up until around the 5th or 6th month of gestation. After that, the spleen behaves like an recycling plant, returning the components of RBCs undergoing apoptosis (controlled cell death) to the body.
If Universal Constructors (or similar devices) were to become everyday household appliances; appliances that only need a blueprint to build practically anything, the consequences could be more than we bargained for.
People could sit in the comfort of their own homes and counterfeit money. We could replicate priceless antiques and works of art. Anyone could manufacture drugs with a near 100% level of purity without the need for a backyard plantation, hydroponics and/or a home lab. Weapons and ammunition could be made on demand, allowing the owner of the UC to build a small arsenal in a relatively short time. If Universal Constructors become so advanced that they could manufacture objects at the subatomic level, then you could turn lead into gold (and yes, water into wine wouldn't be such a cool trick anymore either). The potential economic, political, medical and cultural ramifications are staggering - considering that these are only a few possibilities off the top of my head. People will always find new ways to exploit the system.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for kick-ass Star Trek-esque replicators (and I don't mean to be a fear merchant), but if technology of this capacity is going to become so widely and readily available, it just needs to be regulated in some way so that it's capabilities aren't abused.
Slashdot Mirror
Just an FYI ...
You're correct about the marrow and liver creating RBC's. The other organ is the spleen (as you mentioned); however, the spleen only creates RBC's (haematopoeisis) up until around the 5th or 6th month of gestation. After that, the spleen behaves like an recycling plant, returning the components of RBCs undergoing apoptosis (controlled cell death) to the body.
The more you know!
If Universal Constructors (or similar devices) were to become everyday household appliances; appliances that only need a blueprint to build practically anything, the consequences could be more than we bargained for.
People could sit in the comfort of their own homes and counterfeit money. We could replicate priceless antiques and works of art. Anyone could manufacture drugs with a near 100% level of purity without the need for a backyard plantation, hydroponics and/or a home lab. Weapons and ammunition could be made on demand, allowing the owner of the UC to build a small arsenal in a relatively short time. If Universal Constructors become so advanced that they could manufacture objects at the subatomic level, then you could turn lead into gold (and yes, water into wine wouldn't be such a cool trick anymore either). The potential economic, political, medical and cultural ramifications are staggering - considering that these are only a few possibilities off the top of my head. People will always find new ways to exploit the system.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for kick-ass Star Trek-esque replicators (and I don't mean to be a fear merchant), but if technology of this capacity is going to become so widely and readily available, it just needs to be regulated in some way so that it's capabilities aren't abused.
- Adam