--- In SkunkworksAMA_at_yahoogroups.com, "Andrew Priest" <apriest_at_n...>
wrote:
>
>
>
>
> > Physical abilities spring to mind in regard to being able
> > to run faster, climb or swim better, etc, than our current
> > human form allows. The ability to fly would be nice too...
>
>
>
> A common dream, yet without moving away from the human form it's
unlikely
> that such physical performance could be augmented too much.
Consider that
> athletes already are so close to the structural limits of the human
form
> that they, not infrequently, rip muscles and tendons or even break
bones at
> the limits of their exertion. Dark Angel or no, adding in some cat
DNA isn't
> likely to increase the structural strength of bones or allow humans
to jump
> 15 feet vertical.
>
Actually it has more to do with the amount of oxygen going to the
muscles. In humans, most of it is used by our brains; while in
animals, it's their muscles. However, both humans and animals (with
the exception of birds) do not use all of the oxygen that they breath
in. If we humans were to use every molecule that is inhaled, we would
easily be just as strong as animals without compromising the power of
our brains. So in order for genetically-engineered anthropomorphs to
be stronger and tougher than humans without compromising their
sentience, their bodies will have to use every molecule of oxygen
they inhale. And let us not forget that the body adapts to the amount
of strength in it.
-Brandon Payne
Received on Mon Sep 22 2003 - 10:49:08 CDT