Three hundred and fifty years ago, while pioneering the use of microscopes, the British scientist Robert Hooke foresaw that science would eventually create artificial organs and implantable devices to enhance sight, hearing and memory. He wrote “By the addition of such artificial Instruments and methods, there may be, in some manner, a reparation made for the mischiefs, and imperfection, mankind has drawn upon itself.”In fact, the dream of improving on the fallible human body through technology was central to the scientific Enlightenment vision. Many 18th century philosophes, from Diderot and Condorcet to Ben Franklin and Joseph Priestley, looked forward to drugs and devices providing greater health, life and ability.
