July/August, 1999

Michael Dertouzos
The People's Computer
Brain Implants: A Lousy Idea
We may undergo plastic surgery for silly reasons, but anyone who has a brain would think twice before tampering with the body.
[ Read Michael Dertouzos ]

Prototype
Innovations from every area of technology
Fresh air for Mars
NASA engineers have developed a system to extract oxygen from thin air-thin Martian air, that is. A real test will come when the device is included on the next Mars lander mission, scheduled for launch in April 2001. If it works, the system would help lower the mass and cost of future missions.
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Benchmarks Reports from the world of innovation Pharmaceuticals: When Genes Come True Aerospace: Reusable Rockets Get Ready Networking: E-toys Unite! Patents: Guerilla Webfare Web: Internet Artifacts

Cover story
Biotech goes Wild
Genetic engineering will be essential to feed the world’s billions. But could it unleash a race of “superweeds”? No one seems to know. And nobody’s in charge of finding out. Charles C. Mann explores the controversy in the July/August edition of Technology Review. [ www.techreview.com ]