# Key Points from Transhumanist IRC Discussions

• Researchers debated the timeline for 3D-printed organs, acknowledging that while vascularized tissue can be printed, complete functional organs remain a future goal, with competing approaches using plastic scaffolds versus fully printed structures.

• A developer contributed significantly to open-source medical technology by creating a 20,000-line patch for OpenEMR that enhanced credentialing, emergency form filing, and security features.

• Participants discussed a research paper demonstrating how telomerase reverse transcriptase synergizes with calorie restriction to increase health span and extend longevity in mice, representing important work in life extension research.

• The community explored DIY approaches to scientific equipment, including designs for specific gravity measurement using electromagnetic coils, a homemade air thermocycler using halogen bulbs, and low-cost power supplies for pulse field electrophoresis.

• Historical perspectives on neurotechnology were shared through a 1991 email documenting early transcranial magnetic stimulation experiments where researchers stimulated the visual cortex to produce phosphenes.

• A synthetic biology article discussing the creation of microbes that could produce LSD sparked conversation about ergot derivatives and drug synthesis, highlighting the community's interest in biochemical production methods.

• The dramatic decrease in DNA synthesis costs was noted, with prices falling from $4-8 per base in 1992 to today's much lower rates, illustrating the accelerating accessibility of biotechnology.